A key part of AHANA's role as peak body for Allied Health Assistants is to establish standards for AHA practise designed to ensure that Australians have access to high quality, safe and effective delegated allied health services. The AHANA Board recently approved two key documents supporting this objective; its Code of Conduct and Continuing Competence Requirements By-law (By-law 2023-01).

The Code of Conduct will apply to all Practising Members and Student Members of AHANA. The Code describes the standards of conduct, behaviour and attitude that the people who use AHA services, employers and the public should expect. Designed to protect the public by promoting best practice, the Code will help AHANA members to ensure that they are working to standard, and providing high quality and compassionate allied health treatment, care and support. Applicants for Practising Membership or Student Membership are required, as part of the application process, to certify that they agree to comply with the Code. 

Continuing professional development (CPD) is crucial for Allied Health Assistants to keep their knowledge and skills relevant and current, and stay up-to-date with the latest evidence and best practice. CPD not only helps AHAs provide high-quality services but also supports career progression and provides opportunities for networking and collaboration with colleagues. 

Continuing professional development (CPD) is crucial for Allied Health Assistants to keep their knowledge and skills relevant and current, and stay up-to-date with the latest evidence and best practice. CPD not only helps AHAs provide high-quality services but also supports career progression and provides opportunities for networking and collaboration with colleagues. 

The Continuing Competence By-law sets out AHANA's requirements for Practising Members to complete no less than 20 hours' CPD each membership year across a range of CPD types including a minimum of: 5 hours of CPD in an interactive setting with other AHAs and/or Allied Health Professionals; 4 hours' CPD focussed on responding to and supporting diversity through practise, with no less than two hours of CPD focussed on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural responsiveness; and 4 hours related to professional issues. It also sets the requirement for AHANA Practising Members to complete at least 150 hours of AHA practise each membership year in order to maintain a Practising Membership. 

Applicants for all of AHANA's Practising Memberships (Practising Member (Provisional), Practising Member (General) and Practising Member (Certified) classes) are required to certify in their applications that they agree to comply with these and the other requirements of this By-law. You can visit our CPD and Maintenance of Practise FAQs for further information. AHANA is also developing supporting information for public release later in 2023.

AHANA is implementing these policies for its first membership year (to 30 June 2024) and will invite feedback from members, stakeholders and the public at a later date. The opportunity to consult on these documents will be advertised through the AHANA newsletter.

We hope you are interested in participating, whether it is to provide positive feedback or comment on areas you think need improvement. Together, we can set workforce standards that AHAs are proud to commit to, and that ensure Australians who use Allied Health Assistant-provided services are protected, and receive safe, evidence-based and appropriately supportive care that evolves with best practice.