Expression of Interest – Accreditation functions for the paramedicine profession

05 Jun 2018

Applications for expressions of interest have now closed.

The Paramedicine Board of Australia (the National Board) is calling for expressions of interest (EOI) from potential accreditation entities to carry out the accreditation functions for paramedicine.

With the national regulation of paramedics expected to start in late 2018, the National Board and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) are carrying out an intensive program of work to put in place the necessary infrastructure for the regulation of the paramedicine profession. Paramedics are not currently required to be registered in any state or territory so national regulation will represent a significant change for the profession.

Accreditation functions as set out in the National Law¹ will include:

• developing accreditation standards and recommending them to the National Board for approval
• accrediting and monitoring education providers and programs of study to ensure that graduates are provided with the knowledge, skills and professional attributes to safely practise the profession in Australia
• providing advice to the National Board about issues relating to their accreditation functions
• assessing overseas qualified practitioners, and
• assessing overseas accrediting authorities.

These functions can be exercised by either an external accreditation entity or a committee established by the National Board. Under the National Law, all accreditation entities, whether external authorities or committees, are independent of the National Board in accreditation decision-making.

Currently, an estimated 20 programs being offered at universities across Australia are potentially suitable for accreditation. This is the expected initial scope of program accreditation work for the accreditation authority.

Expressions of interest

Expressions of interest should:

• demonstrate how they intend to address or meet the elements in each of the domains of the Quality framework for the accreditation function
• include an annualised three-year budget and work plan for performing the accreditation function for paramedicine, and
• include a prospective time frame for the start of operations for performing the paramedicine accreditation function.

Following shortlisting, one or more entities may be interviewed to provide clarification or further information. Shortlisted entities may also be invited, as part of the evaluation process, to submit a revised expression of interest in all or certain aspects of their initial expression of interest.

All submissions will be advised of the final outcome of the evaluation process.

Appointment as an accreditation authority may be for up to five years. Before the end of the assigned period, the National Board will review these arrangements, which will include another expression of interest process and public consultation on any decision about the ongoing assignment of functions.

Candidate information pack

For more information on the accreditation function see Accreditation under the National Law Act.

¹ Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as enacted in each state and territory (the National Law).