What Regulation Under Ahpra Means for Audiology Clients
Heard about the transition towards audiology regulation under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra)?
On 12 September 2025, Australia’s health ministers agreed to regulate audiology under Ahpra, which will see the role of accrediting audiologists transitioning from Audiology Australia to Ahpra. The date of implementation is still to be confirmed by Ahpra and the Health Workforce Taskforce.
When regulation does occur, you can expect positive impacts, but minimal disruptions to your audiology service, allowing you to continue to receive high standards of ear and hearing care.
Consistency of standards across Australia
The major benefit for clients is ensuring consistent standards of training for Audiologists across Australia. Current regulatory frameworks mean that the overwhelming majority of Audiologists (95%+) are obliged to adhere to strict competency, education and adherence to code of conduct and are monitored by the peak professional audiology bodies (Audiology Australia), in order to claim government funding. While other Audiologists abide voluntarily, a small percentage of Audiologists (3-5%) including those working in public health or in private practice where they do not offer government-funded services, do not abide by these same standards. Instead, in these settings, competency and education are set by the individual organisation or state health care systems. Regulation helps to address this gap and ensure further consistency and rigour across the entire profession.
For most audiology clients who see Audiology Australia Accredited Audiologists in private practice, the changes are expected to be minimal. The vast majority of Australia’s audiologists abide by regulations set by Audiology Australia as defined by the National Alliance for Self Regulating Health Professions. This means these audiologists are regulated to almost the identical standard as the professions regulated through the NRAS, and that when you see an Ahpra-regulated Audiologist in the future, you can expect a similar, if not the same, quality of care.
Greater public protection
Ensures anyone using the title ‘Audiologist’ is appropriately qualified and meets national standards, and anyone making false claims about this title may be prosecuted. Cases of individuals appropriating the title ‘Audiologist’ are exceedingly rare and Audiology Australia has worked with authorities to expose these individuals, but this legal prosecution will provide a further disincentive.
Mandatory cultural safety training
Under Audiology Australia, Audiologists have been highly encouraged to undertake training in culturally responsive hearing care and increase their knowledge of cultural safety. However, Ahpra has been able to go a step further by requiring compulsory, consistent, integrated core training and education on cultural safety for registered health practitioners throughout their career.
New public Audiologist register
Currently, as an audiology client, you can search for if your Audiologist is accredited via Audiology Australia’s Accredited Audiologist Search register. Under Ahpra, you will similarly be able to verify a practitioner’s credentials and registration status through their public register.
New complaints processes
Currently, as an audiology client, you can make a complaint with the Hearing Professional Conduct and Complaints Body. Under Ahpra, there will be a new complaints mechanism for you to follow to address concerns about care or conduct.