AHANA frequently hears questions about the difference in and descriptions of AHA levels. The levels, known as Work Level Standards (‘WLS’), were created by the state health directorates. The higher the level, the more complex the role, the greater the wage for the AHA. In general, the WLS are used at the state level (see more detail below), and there is not currently a national standard in use.  The WLS provide a baseline to the health organisations on the most appropriate classification of an AHA position based on several key factors, including:

• The minimum level of qualification the AHA has completed.
• The appropriate level of classification required for a position.
• The amount of clinically relevant experience the AHA has demonstrated.
• Whether the position requires direct, indirect or remote supervision by an AHP.

The Work Level Standards are outlined below:

• AHA Level 1 – an AHA with less than a relevant certificate IV qualification.  Organisations have discretion regarding whether they have enough staffing to provide constant direct supervision to an AHA at this level. A level 1 AHA can complete basic admin tasks and general therapy interventions independently but requires assistance for more complex interventions.
• AHA Level 2 – has a minimum of a relevant certificate IV qualification (can be a new graduate with only placement experience or have many clinical years of experience).  They work in an area where direct supervision by an AHP does occur, enabling delegation of more complex interventions. The AHA level 2 has some independence in regular day to day tasks but needs to review more complex interventions with AHP first before completing this task. (eg. Inpatient/ outpatient gym-based locations – PT/OT)
• AHA Level 3 – has a minimum relevant certificate IV qualification and 18 months-two years clinically relevant experience minimum. An AHA level 3 works in an area where only indirect, or remote supervision from a AHP can occur. They may have more complex administrative tasks and time management challenges (running independent clinics/ interventions/ groups). Clinical duties will be more complex with strategies given for more complex decisions and interventions with therapies. These decisions are reported back to the AHP after the fact, unless immediate AHP intervention is required (eg. Mental health roles, outpatient roles where interventions occur regular outside a healthcare facility, complex inpatient roles like Social Work and Nutrition).
• AHA Level 4 – has a minimum relevant certificate IV qualification and more than five years of relevant clinical experience. An AHA level 4 has independence with daily administration and time management tasks with little to no oversight. They are able to provide leadership and supervision to less experienced AHA’s. This is a relatively new level within the AHA work space (eg. AHA Clinical Educations, AHA Governance positions, Senior Peer Workers).

Currently:

• the ACT and South Australia use a four level WLS; 
• Tasmania, WA, Victoria, NSW and Northern Territory use a three level WLS; and
• Queensland has an eight level WLS embedded into their enterprise bargaining agreement, with the highest current practising position being an AHA Level 4. 

AHANA is currently investigating whether other healthcare sectors, such as aged care and private practise, adhere to the same recommended Work Level Standards as outlined above.