Students seeking registration urged to apply online now

16 Nov 2015

Students seeking registration as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health practitioner, who are soon to complete an approved program of study, can apply online now.

Graduates of an approved program of study must apply for general registration if:

• they intend to practise under the protected title ‘Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner’ or 
• they are required by their employer to use one of the following protected titles: 
  • ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner’ 
  • ‘Aboriginal Health Practitioner’ or 
  • ‘Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner’, or 
• they are required to be registered as part of their employment requirements, even if the protected title is not used.

Graduates who complete an approved program of study, but who are not currently required to use the protected titles, may also apply for registration.

Graduates must meet the registration requirements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia (the Board) to be registered.

Registration standards that relate to the new graduate are:

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander registration standard 
• criminal history 
• English language skills, and 
• professional indemnity insurance.

The online graduate application service on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website smooths the path from study to work by enabling students to apply for registration with the Board four to six weeks before completing their course.

All applicants are required to return supporting documents to AHPRA by mail to complete their application. It is important that this is done as soon as possible after applying online - see Next Steps Checklist.

Hard copy applications are available on the Board’s website.

There are six simple steps to registration for graduates:

1. Students apply for registration four to six weeks before completing their program at Graduate applications on the AHPRA website. 
2. Applicants fill out an online application (if eligible) or download an application form. 
3. Applicants send supporting documents to AHPRA by mail to complete the application. 
4. Education providers advise AHPRA when applicants are eligible to graduate. 
5. AHPRA finalises assessment, confirms registration, publishes new graduates’ names on the national register of practitioners and sends out registration certificates. 
6. New graduates registered with the National Board are eligible to start work as soon as their name is published on the national register.

For more information

• Go to Graduate applications on the AHPRA website for FAQ and links to more information 
• For registration enquiries or difficulties in accessing the online application form: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) 
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200