To work in aged care, allied health professionals must hold specific qualifications. They must also be registered with the relevant registration body.
As an aged care provider, you're responsible for verifying the credentials of all allied health professionals on your team.
This applies whether they're a direct employee or subcontracted (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DOHDA)).
This page is here to help. It summarises:
- Core requirements for common allied health roles in aged care.
- Practical tips for verifying these details.
Use it to support your requirement processes and to stay on top of ongoing compliance.
Note: These qualification and registration requirements aren’t the whole story. Allied health professionals must also have other workforce checks, including a Police Check and NDIS Worker Screening. For more information about screening requirements for the aged care workforce, visit DOHDA.
Qualification and registration requirements by role
The section below shows the core requirements for common allied health roles in aged care, including:
- The qualifications they must have
- The professional association or regulatory body they must be registered with
- Insurance coverage
Immediately after, you'll find a simple checklist to help you verify these details with confidence.
Physiotherapist
- Qualifications: A degree in physiotherapy from a program accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council (or assessed as equivalent for international practitioners) and listed as an approved program of study by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.
- Registration body: Physiotherapy Board of Australia, operating under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
- Insurance: Professional indemnity insurance (PII) that is adequate and appropriate for their scope of practice.
Occupational therapist
- Qualifications: A degree in occupational therapy from a program approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.
- Registration body: Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, operating under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
- Insurance: Professional indemnity insurance (PII) that is adequate and appropriate for their scope of practice.
Accredited Practising Dietitian
- Qualifications: A degree in nutrition and dietetics accredited by Dietitians Australia.
- Registration body: Dietitians Australia, operating under the National Alliance of Self Regulating Health Professions.
- Insurance: Professional indemnity insurance (PII) that is adequate and appropriate for their scope of practice.
Podiatrist
- Qualifications: Bachelor of Podiatry (or a similar degree) approved by Podiatry Board of Australia.
- Registration body: Podiatry Board of Australia, operating under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
- Insurance: Professional indemnity insurance (PII) that is adequate and appropriate for their scope of practice.
Verification and compliance checklist
When hiring or subcontracting an allied health professional, make sure to:
Check AHPRA registration status
You can use AHPRA's online register to confirm that these practitioners are currently registered:
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Podiatrists
Only practitioners with the right qualifications can be registered with AHPRA. Verifying their registration also confirms their qualifications.
Check other professional registrations
Allied health professionals not listed above are registered with their respective professional associations.
For example, exercise physiologists register with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). Dietitians register with Dietitians Australia.
Use these websites to make sure their membership is up to date.
No matter which organisation a practitioner is registered with, ask for a copy of their registration certificate. Check for any practice conditions to ensure they can meet your organisation’s needs. Keep the certificate on file in case you’re audited.
Check insurance coverage
Is the practitioner directly employed? Follow your organisation’s policies for professional insurance.
If they’re a contractor, ask for their Certificate of Currency. Check that it covers all the services they’ll be providing.
Contact previous employers for reference checks
This is especially important for confirming their aged care experience and performance history.
Keep track of registration renewals
All practitioners in your organisation must have current registration at all times. If their registration lapses, they can’t provide services.
For example, AHPRA registrations for physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and podiatrists must be renewed by 30 November each year. Dietitians and exercise physiologists must also renew their professional memberships annually. Though, the specific dates are set by the relevant association.
Make sure to keep records of your checks. These demonstrate your due diligence if any issues come up or if you’re audited.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Next steps
Do you need more details about specific credentials? Reach out to the relevant registration body directly.
If you’d like more help navigating aged care regulations, we’re here for you.
Get in touch with any questions or to book a free Professional Development Presentation.