The ‘A’ within NRAS

Accreditation in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) helps ensure health practitioners have the knowledge, skills and professional attributes necessary to practise their profession safely and competently in Australia.  

Accreditation activity includes accreditation of programs of study and assessment of overseas trained practitioners. Accreditation authorities play a critical role in exercising accreditation functions in the National Scheme. 

The Health Professions Accreditation Collaborative (HPAC) Forum brings together leaders and expertise from across Australia’s accreditation authorities to strengthen collaboration, share insights, and support high-quality, innovative practices. Our Members include representatives from all accreditation and assessment authorities within NRAS. 

Introducing the HPAC Forum Strategic Plan 2026 - 2029 

The HPAC Forum achieved a significant milestone at its June meeting with adoption of our Strategic Plan 2026 - 2029, setting a clear direction for the Forum as we continue to strengthen accreditation and assessment across Australia's National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS).  

Developed collaboratively by members, the strategic plan reflects a shared ambition to ensure accreditation and assessment remain responsive to the changing needs of the health system, the professions and the communities we serve. It recognises the unique expertise of each accreditation authority while reinforcing the value of collective leadership and multi-disciplinary approaches in addressing system-wide opportunities and challenges. 

The plan is centred on five strategic pillars, Trusted Voice, Safety, Reform, Future Workforce and Resilience, which will guide the Forum's work over the next three years.  

Chair's message 

"This Strategic Plan reflects the collective vision of Australia's accreditation authorities. It demonstrates our commitment to working together to strengthen accreditation and assessment, support meaningful reform and ensure our collective expertise continues to contribute to safe, high-quality health care outcomes for the Australian community." 

Mr Jonathon Kruger 
Independent Chair, HPAC Forum 

Deputy Chair's message

"The Forum has evolved into an important national voice for accreditation and assessment. This strategy provides a clear roadmap for how we will build on that momentum. We are strengthening collaboration, embracing innovation and supporting a responsive, future-focused system that continues to uphold public safety." 

Dr Louise McCall 
Deputy Chair, HPAC Forum 

Our strategic plan is available here.  

Accreditation and assessment continue to evolve at pace, with significant reform and collaborative work underway across the National Scheme. This edition provides an update on the HPAC Forum's activities and highlights developments across the sector that we hope you will find informative and valuable. 

Warm regards,
Amelia Druhan 
Executive Officer, HPAC Forum

Evaluating a Collaborative Approach to Accreditation 

The HPAC Forum is progressing key research in partnership with Adelaide University to evaluate the collaborative accreditation model developed to support the establishment of the new university.  

The model brought together accreditation authorities and university representatives to explore more coordinated approaches to accreditation during a period of significant organisational change. Rather than simply documenting the experience, the evaluation will examine what worked well, where challenges emerged, and what practical lessons can inform future accreditation practice. 

Importantly, the findings will extend beyond the Adelaide University context, contributing evidence to support future accreditation reform, greater collaboration across accreditation authorities, and more efficient approaches that continue to uphold graduate quality and public safety. The HPAC Forum looks forward to sharing the findings with the sector as the project progresses. 

The evaluation Steering Group includes Adelaide University staff, accreditation authority staff and HPAC Forum staff.  It is chaired by Dr Tamsin Garrod, Deputy CEO, Australian Physiotherapy Council.

Preparing for the future: Artificial Intelligence and accreditation 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the way health professionals learn, practise and are assessed. Recognising the significant opportunities and challenges this presents, the HPAC Forum has established a dedicated AI Working Group to explore the implications for health profession accreditation and assessment.  

The Working Group is developing practical resources to support accreditation authorities in the safe, ethical and effective adoption of AI, including a shared governance framework, guidance on AI implementation and strategic advice for the sector. It is also considering the longer-term question of how accreditation can help prepare graduates for practice in an AI-enabled health system.  

This work reflects the HPAC Forum's commitment to providing collective leadership on emerging issues and ensuring accreditation continues to support safe, contemporary and future-focused health profession education. 

The HPAC Forum AI Working Group is chaired by Mr David Ensor, CEO, Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. 

Researching the future of interprofessional education 

In partnership with the Australian Medical Council (AMC), the HPAC Forum continues to lead national work exploring how accreditation can strengthen interprofessional education (IPE) and better prepare Australia's future health workforce for collaborative practice. Building on the Australian Pharmacy Council and the Forum's earlier work in this area, the project brings together accreditation authorities, education providers, health services, consumers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to identify practical opportunities for improvement.  

The IPE and Accreditation: Levers for Change research project will examine how accreditation standards, processes and guidance can better support high-quality interprofessional education while reducing unnecessary duplication across the system. Findings will inform evidence-based recommendations and practical resources to support future reform and strengthen collaborative, person-centred care. 

The project sponsor is Ms Theanne Walters, Deputy CEO, AMC and project research lead, Dr Julie Gustavs, Senior Educationalist and Researcher, AMC.  A cross-sectorial working group, with broad representation from HPAC Forum professions, is providing research oversight for the project. 

Anti-Racism and Discrimination Prevention in Health Practitioner Education and Assessment

The HPAC Forum has published a new Commitment Statement on Anti-Racism and Discrimination Prevention in Health Practitioner Education and Assessment, reaffirming the collective commitment of accreditation authorities to fostering culturally safe, inclusive and respectful health practitioner education. Read the full statement here. 

EOIs now open – Work on revising Registered Nurse Accreditation Standards  

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (Anmac) is preparing for the review of the Registered Nurse Accreditation Standards  - the national standards that guide how registered nursing education programs leading to registration are designed, delivered and assessed across Australia.  

An Expert Advisory Group (EAG) will be established to inform and guide the process. Expressions of interest are welcome from across the nursing and broader health community.  

• Clinicians and academics – one of each of the following
  • Dean/Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery Education Sector (Metropolitan)
  • Dean/Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery Education Sector (Regional)  
  • Senior Registered Nurse Academic (without conditions on their registration)  
  • Senior Registered Nurse Clinician (without conditions on their registration)  

• Students or early career Registered Nurses within their first five years of practice   

• A community member - with experience in consumer advocacy and accreditation, regulation and/or higher education  

This is an opportunity to contribute your expertise and perspective to a national process that will shape the future of nursing education and the quality of care provided to all Australians.  

For further information, please refer to the Terms of Reference, or contact the Anmac Standards Review Team  

Consultation now open - Accreditation Standards for Pharmacist Prescriber Education Programs

The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) is inviting feedback on the revised draft Accreditation Standards for Pharmacist Prescriber Education Programs. 

The revised standards reflect contemporary practice and healthcare delivery as well as relevant emerging practice and technologies. The standards are designed to be sustainable and adaptable and are regularly reviewed as healthcare is evolving rapidly. 

Public consultation will remain open until 3 August 2026.

Learn more

How we approach change across the Australian Physiotherapy Council

At the Physio Council, change is driven by purpose, partnership and action. Whether it’s launching International Accreditation, refreshing Australian Accreditation Standards or strengthening Cultural Safety Training for international physiotherapists, our work begins with consulting widely. We test ideas with people who will use them, and provide clear guidance that helps change be understood, implemented and sustained.  

This reflects the Council’s broader commitment to quality, public safety and continuous improvement. Our focus is supporting conditions for better education, safer practice and stronger outcomes for the communities physiotherapists serve. 

Read more 

Work on the horizon at the Occupational Therapy Council 

The Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Ltd (OTC) will shortly commence a review of the Accreditation Standards for entry-level occupational therapy education programs. 

The review will ensure the Standards remain contemporary, fit-for-purpose and continue to support high quality occupational therapy education and the preparation of future occupational therapists who are innovative, safe and culturally responsive practitioners.  

The review will be informed through extensive consultation and engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, including Ahpra, the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, other accreditation authorities, education providers, the profession, students, consumers, and other interested parties.  The OTC looks forward to working collaboratively with stakeholders throughout the review and will share further information about consultation and opportunities for input as the project progresses. 

APC named regional winner in national IT awards 

APC has received a regional award in the not-for profit and community category of the 2026 iAwards - qualifying for the National awards. APC’s submission focused on its newly launched accreditation management system (AMS), a cloud-based platform supporting education providers. It has replaced paper and spreadsheet-driven processes. The AMS has modernised accreditation processes, enabling real-time data management and dynamic reporting, improving efficiency oversight, and enhanced data security.

HESA to commence review of Standards for Accreditation of Immunisation Education Programs  

Health Education & Services Australia (HESA) will commence a review of the Standards for Accreditation of Immunisation Education Programs and associated supporting materials. 

HESA is a subsidiary organisation of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (Anmac) and has provided accreditation services for immunisation education programs since 2020. 

These programs support Ahpra-registered healthcare professionals, including nurses, midwives, pharmacists, paramedics, medical practitioners and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners, to practise as approved immunisation providers. 

The review will ensure the Standards remain contemporary, evidence-informed and aligned with developments in immunisation service delivery, workforce needs, education delivery and the regulatory environment. 

HESA is committed to working with stakeholders to ensure the Standards continue to support high-quality immunisation education and the delivery of safe and effective immunisation services. 

For further information about the review and consultation opportunities, please contact HESA at  admin@hesa.com.au 

Accreditation plays a vital role in assuring the quality of health professional education and assessment in Australia. Those who work in the sector contribute to a shared goal: ensuring the health workforce is well prepared to provide safe, high-quality care to the communities they serve. 

Several accreditation authorities have openings available now. Explore these links to find your next opportunity. 

• Australian Dental Council 
• Australian Medical Council 
• Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) 
• Australian Pharmacy Council 
• Australian Physiotherapy Council 
• Occupational Therapy Council 
• OCANZ 

Featured opportunity

Application open - Accreditation Officer at the Australian Physiotherapy Council

The Physio Council is seeking an Accreditation Officer to join its team in a newly created full-time role. This position will support accreditation processes, coordinate projects and work closely with a range of stakeholders across the health and education sectors. 
 
This is a meaningful, relationship-focused opportunity to work in a collaborative environment. Read more in the  job ad and apply as soon as possible.