The following sets out the minimum qualification requirements for practising membership but applicants may also find the "Which Practising Membership am I eligible for?" section of the Qualification FAQs webpage useful in determining which membership class they are eligible for.
The Practising Member (Provisional) membership class is available for AHAs who do not have formal qualifications.
AHANA recommends that practising AHAs without formal qualifications consider enrolling in the Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance or seeking Recognition of Prior Learning for their experience towards either the Certificate III or Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (see the "I have qualifications and/or experience relevant to Allied Health Assistance. Can I get course credit toward an AHANA-recognised qualification?" section of the Qualification FAQs for further information).
You will require the following:
For a temporary period of three years from AHANA initially taking membership applications, applicants who are able to demonstrate three years' full-time equivalent experience as an Allied Health Assistant (see Membership Rule 1, for definition) will also be able to hold a Practising Member (General Membership). At the end of that period, any Practising Member (General) members who have not obtained a Board-approved qualification are eligible for the Practising Member (Provisional) membership.
You will require the following:
You also must be able to demonstrate that you have practised as an allied health assistant within the past three years to be eligible to apply for a Practising Member (Certified) membership.
If you have qualifications or credentials that you believe demonstrate the same competencies as any of the above listed AHANA-approved qualifications, you can also apply for consideration for equivalence by the Board.
If the Board agrees, then the applicant will be eligible for a Practising Member (General) or a Practising Member (Certified) membership provided they meet the other eligibility requirements for that class of membership.
AHANA recognises the diversity of qualifications and experience of Allied Health Assistants (AHAs) with its range of practising AHA membership classes (see Membership Classes and Fees) but also supports the development of minimum qualification standards for AHA practise, to promote public safety and consistent quality delegated allied health services.
In saying this, AHANA does also recognise that the health training package (HLT) (which includes the Certificates III and IV in Allied Health Assistance) was updated in November 2022 and that in early 2023 the Commonwealth consulted on possible changes to the Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification architecture, both of which could impact on the availability of this training. AHANA will take the impact of these changes into account when considering any changes to the qualification requirements for practising membership classes.