Have your say on the English language skills registration standards – public consultation opens today

13 Jul 2022

Public consultation on the English language skills registration standards opens today. National Boards are inviting practitioners, community members, employers, education providers and other stakeholders to have their say.

What are the English language skills registration standards?

Each of the 15 National Boards set requirements for English language skills to make sure all registered health practitioners can communicate effectively in English to provide safe care. These requirements are outlined in the English Language Skills Registration Standards (the ELS standards). The ELS standards are one of five core registration standards required by all National Boards and applies to all applicants at initial registration, whether they qualified in Australia or overseas.

Why have the English language skills registration standards been reviewed?

The ELS standards have been reviewed by their respective National Boards¹  (except the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia) to make sure they are current and keep pace with our changing and dynamic environment.

National Boards have only proposed changes where clear improvements have been identified, such as providing more clarity, addressing gaps in information and aligning the standards with available evidence for best practice. You can read about the changes in the consultation paper.

How can you have your say?

Public consultation opens today and will be open for eight weeks until 7 September 2022. We’ve published a consultation paper on our consultations webpage which we encourage you to read.

We’ve also published Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about our approach to the review and information about the literature review we carried out.

You can submit your feedback via an online form or emailing us a Word document.

Martin Fletcher, Ahpra CEO, is encouraging people to have their say on this important registration standard.

‘An ELS standard applies to every registered health practitioner in Australia, and this plays a crucial role in ensuring safe care for, and protection of, the public. We appreciate the early feedback we’ve received which has helped refine the proposals for public consultation. Now we look to you for your feedback on this important work and I strongly encourage you to have your say’, Mr Fletcher said.

To read the consultation paper and submit your feedback, please visit the consultations webpage.

For more information

• Read the consultation paper and supporting FAQs
• Read about the current English language skills registration standard requirements
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200.
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 9285 3010 (overseas callers).

¹The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia only recently reviewed its standard so is only proposing to adopt some key proposals as explained in the consultation paper.