The NMBA and Ahpra work closely together to regulate Australia’s registered nurses, midwives and students as part of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme . The NMBA standards align with Ahpra regulatory requirements to ensure registered Australian nurses and midwives are suitably trained, qualified and safe to practise with the overarching mission to protect the public.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) is the statutory body responsible for regulating the nursing and midwifery professions in Australia. Operating under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law established in 2009, the NMBA ensures that all healthcare practitioners are suitably trained, qualified, and safe to practice under a single national scheme. The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme is the legal system that regulates 16 healthcare professions in Australia. As a nurse or midwife, you will interact with the NMBA at several key stages in your career.
The role of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia include:
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) is a risk-based regulator that ensures our registered health practitioners are suitably trained, qualified and safe to practice. They work to support a safe and professional health workforce for Australia and protect public safety. Ahpra supports the NMBA by:
Manage registration and renewal processes for local and overseas-qualified health practitioners and student registration, including with comprehensive assessments. This ensures that only health practitioners with the skills and qualifications to provide competent and ethical care are registered to practise.
Manage complaints and concerns raised about the health, performance and conduct of individual health practitioners on behalf of the National Boards, except in New South Wales. In Queensland, we jointly consider notifications with the Office of the Health Ombudsman. You can learn more about what to do if you receive a notification here.
Ahpra work with accreditation authorities and committees to ensure that graduating students and international practitioners are all suitably qualified and have the skills to provide quality care to Australians. They also monitor and audit registered health practitioners to make sure they are complying with Board requirements as well as any restrictions that may be imposed on their registration.
You can read the nurse practitioner's standards of practice fact sheet online.
Ahpra often provides policy advice to the National Boards about developing registration standards, new codes and updating guidelines for health practitioners. These standards keep things consistent across the country so that everyone knows exactly what’s expected from their healthcare providers. Consistent standards also make it a lot easier for the relevant Board to figure out what to do if someone’s health, conduct, or performance isn't up to scratch.
For further information about the roles, responsibilities and functions of the NMBA and Ahpra you can the NMBA website and the AHPRA website. You can also contact both agencies directly through both phone and email.
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