Should Australian paramedics be subject to national registration?
Australian paramedics are currently state/ territory regulated. Each jurisdiction defines paramedic scope of practise, educational requirements and manages performance appraisal/ discipline.
Paramedic is not a protected title within Australia. Anyone can legally title themselves a paramedic leading to varying competency standards and public confusion.
Historically, paramedics have been stretcher bearers/ drivers. With extended scope of practise comes extended risk of harm to the public. National registration administered by the Australian Health
Practitioner Regulation Authority will provide independent assurances of quality and safety as well as nationally reserving the title of paramedic.
Opponents to national registration argue that the costs associated with the scheme would outweigh the benefits and that current state/territory regulatory methods sufficiently protect the public.
What this fails to address is the paramedics working in private practise who are not under state/ territory authority.