05 Apr 2019

Today is the official launch of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency's (AHPRA) designation as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Health Workforce Regulation at the Australian National University, Canberra.

AHPRA, working in partnership with the National Boards, will join a list of over 800 institutions in more than 80 countries supporting WHO programs in areas such as nursing development, communicable diseases, mental health, chronic diseases and health technologies.

Strengthening the regulation of the health workforce is an important part of the WHO’s global strategy to build the human resources needed for access to safe and quality healthcare across the world. 

In describing AHPRA’s role as a designated collaborating centre, CEO Martin Fletcher said: ‘Australia’s National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for health professions is recognised as a leading model for regulating the health workforce.

‘We also know that the global health workforce crosses country borders and is mobile, including in Australia where thousands of overseas-qualified practitioners are registered and take up practice here. It’s important that regulators from different countries work together to improve regulation of the global health workforce.

‘As a designated WHO collaborating centre for health workforce regulation, we’re excited by the opportunity to share expertise and promote dialogue that collectively improves the standard of regulatory practice within the WHO Western Pacific Region,’ Mr Fletcher said. 

As a WHO collaborating centre AHPRA will:

• help the WHO in providing technical support to strengthen health workforce regulatory systems in member states 
• support the WHO in promoting the adoption of contemporary regulatory approaches to health workforce regulation, and
• strengthen the capacity, skills and knowledge of regulators in member states under the WHO’s guidance. 

‘Regulation of the health workforce sets the standards for practitioner education, competence and conduct necessary for the health workforce to deliver safe and reliable healthcare. 

‘We’re proud to be designated a WHO Collaborating Centre and thank the WHO for this exciting opportunity,’ Mr Fletcher said. 

Contact 

World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Health Workforce Regulation 

• Website: www.ahpra.gov.au/About-AHPRA/Who-collaboration
• Email: WHO_CC_HWR@ahpra.gov.au  
• Within Australia phone 1300 419 495 
• Overseas callers phone +61 3 9275 9009

AHPRA and the National Boards

• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 03 9275 9009 (overseas callers) 
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200