Understanding your registration

Being a registered health practitioner in Australia means you are part of the National Registration and Accreditation Schemeopen_in_new. This is the national system established in 2010 to ensure all regulated health professionals across 15 professions including doctors, nurses, and since 2018, paramedics, meet consistent, high-quality standards of practice. 

The National Scheme is a partnership between the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra)open_in_new and the Paramedicine Board of Australia (the National Board)open_in_new which manage the national register of practitioners and set standards for the profession.

In most states and territories, Ahpra and the National Boards also manage complaints about registered practitioners. However, in NSW health regulation operates differently.

Here, the Paramedicine Council of NSW manages complaints and notifications about the conduct, performance, and health of paramedics working alongside the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC)open_in_new. We work together to protect the NSW public and help paramedics practise safely, but we each have different powers under the law. 

We also work closely with Ahpra and the National Board and we look to the national standards when considering complaints.

What does the National Scheme mean for you? 

• Public safety: Your registration serves as a ‘seal of approval’, assuring the public that you are qualified, competent, and safe to practise. 
• Title protection: The title ‘paramedic’ is legally protectedopen_in_new. Only those registered with the National Board can lawfully use it. 
• National mobility: You can practise in any Australian state or territory without needing to re-register in each jurisdiction. If you receive a complaint while primarily practising in NSW, the Council or the HCCC will handle it.
• Professional identity: Your registration recognises paramedicine as a distinct, regulated health profession with the same standing as other major registered healthcare roles. 

Maintaining your registration is a shared commitment to public safety and reassures the community that those using the title meet the minimum standards set by the National Board.