Scopes of practice provide clarity on what tasks and functions individuals working within the health sector are able to perform. They define the boundaries, responsibilities, and accountabilities of health professionals, and:
- ensure individuals can work to the full extent of their training
- guide employers and supervisors in designing appropriate roles, supervision, and professional development pathways and
- help protect patients from harm.
They also underpin clinical governance arrangements by promoting consistency, accountability, and trust across the health system.
Within this, it is important to distinguish between professional and individual scopes of practice. A professional scope of practice outlines the full range of recognised functions and responsibilities for a profession at any given level of qualification. They establish parameters on what a profession can do and are defined by legislation, national standards and training, and professional frameworks.
While the professional scope sets the boundaries for the profession, the individual scope, in contrast, applies day-to-day work of a health professional and defines what a person is trained, skilled and permitted to do in their role.
Professional Scopes of Practice for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners
Despite our calls and ongoing advocacy nationally consistent Professional Scope of Practice for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners have yet to be agreed. This limits recognition of the workforce’s skills, qualifications and what’s expected in their role. Across Australia it also creates inconsistencies in how roles are understood and supported.
To help address this issue and provide a benchmark for what tasks Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners in all roles and settings across Australia should be enabled to practice and perform, NAATSIHWP developed the following resource: Professional Scopes of Practice Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners .
The resource:
- outlines the key capabilities gained through core unites of competency within qualifications under the National Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Training Package
- provides a consistent basis for understanding professional scopes of practice across different grades and service settings
- recognises the workforce’s unique cultural and clinical contributions.
This approach, strongly support during national workforce consultations in 2024 establishes a benchmark for what Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners should be able to practice at every level of qualification.
National Framework for Determining Scope of Practice for the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Health Practitioner Workforce
NAATSIHWP has also developed a complementary resource to help Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners place clear parameters and expectations around their roles.
The National Framework for Determining Scope of Practice for the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Health Practitioner Workforce is designed to support the development of individual scopes of practice that:
- recognises the skills cultural knowledge and qualifications of the workforce
- account for workplace context and
- provides step by step guidance for negotiating, reviewing and strengthening roles
Rather than limiting roles the framework ensures that each Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker or Health Practitioner delivers care based on what they are educated, deemed competent and authorised to perform. This ensures that the workforce deliver care that is grounded in their education, demonstrated abilities and the regulatory context of their workplace.
Building clarity through both resources
When used together these resources ensure the workforce is recognised, valued and supported. They give the clarity Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners need to deliver high quality culturally safe care.
It’s important to note that the Professional Scopes of Practice are based on core units of study only . To gain a qualification, students must also complete elective units which further enhance their skills and capabilities. These should also be reflected in an individual’s scope of practice.
Ultimately, the Professional Scopes of Practice are intended as a guide only, they should be used in conjunction with the National Framework to create an individual scope of practice that recognises, full qualifications, competencies, cultural expertise and workplace settings.
