Health Workforce

Workforce Survey

The College collects workforce information to substantiate its strategic approaches to workforce policy.  The 2010 Workforce Survey is open until 26 February 2010.  Fellows are encouraged to ensure they are counted by completing the survey. The survey should take less than five minutes to complete.

Please contact the Policy and Advocacy Unit for further information: policy@racp.edu.au

Workforce Expert Advisory Group

The core business of the Australian health workforce is to provide effective and safe quality care that improves the health and wellbeing of the Australian community. However, many countries are facing similar challenges, in having a workforce that can deliver equitable, accessible, sustainable and safe health care. Therefore, a number of concentrated efforts are being undertaken to look at workforce planning and development.

The Workforce Expert Advisory Group provides recommendations to emerging workforce policy issues, engaging with stakeholders to progress ideas to address a changing health system and medical workforce.  The Workforce Expert Advisory Group is chaired by Professor Peter Brooks.  The College contact is policy@racp.edu.au. 

National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for Health Professionals

In 2008, The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) signed an intergovernmental agreement to establish a National Registration and Accreditation Scheme in Australia.  The Scheme aims to provide greater portability of the health professions, reduce red tape and provide a more responsive and sustainable workforce.

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians supports the principle of national registration and national accreditation in Australia and believes there are benefits to be gained from their implementation. The College has responded to calls for submissions on various aspects of the proposed arrangements as they have developed. Our submissions can be found below.

Further information can be found on the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme website or at the Medical Board of Australia website.  The new Medical Board of Australia will come into existence on 1 July 2010.   

Policies

• Position Statement: Restoring the Balance - prepared by IMSANZ and RACP (PDF: 491KB)
• Cottrell Report 2004 - Managing Chronic Conditions (PDF: 109KB)

Submissions 

• Consultation Paper 2: Proposals for registration standards for limited registration, a code of practice for the medical profession and a revised list of specialties and specialist titles - Medical Board of Australia - Feb 10 (PDF 98KB) -  NEW
• Consultation Paper 1: Registration Standards and Related Matters (PCH) -  Medical Board of Australia - Nov 2009 (PDF: 613KB)
• The Role of Locums Within the District Health Board Framework - August 2009 (PDF 45KB)
• Exposure Draft of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law 2009 "Bill B" - National Registration and Accreditation Scheme - July 2009 (PDF: 99KB) 
• New Zealand Medical Council: Implementation of a New Framework For Supervision of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) - June 2009 (PDF: 324KB)
• Inquiry into National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for Doctors and Other Health Workers - Senate Community Affairs Committee - April 2009 (PDF: 78KB)
• Consultation on a New Framework for Supervision of International Medical Graduates  - March 2009 (PDF 28KB)
• Proposed arrangements for specialists within the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for the Health Professions - National Registration and Accreditation Scheme - Feb 2009 (PDF: 42KB)
• Other matters for inclusion in "Bill B" - National Registration and Accreditation Scheme - Feb 2009 (PDF: 34KB)
• Proposed arrangements for information sharing and privacy - National Registration and Accreditation Scheme - Dec 2008 (PDF: 33KB)
• Proposed arrangements for accreditation - National Registration and Accreditation Scheme - Dec 2008 (PDF: 47KB)
• Proposed arrangements for handling complaints, and dealing with performance, health and conduct matters - National Registration and Accreditation Scheme - Nov 2008 (PDF: 147KB)