Credentialing

Credentialing for Allied and Scientific Health Professionals Policy Directive

The Credentialing for Allied and Scientific Health Professionals Policy Directive (PDF 488KB) outlines the minimum requirements to credential allied and scientific health professionals working for SA Health or accessing SA Health sites.

Credentialing forms

ASHO are currently developing digital credentialing forms that can be used instead of the above PDF forms.

    • Recredentialing Application - Registered Professions - for existing SA Health allied and scientific health staff from registered professions
    • Recredentialing Application - Self-Regulated Professions - for existing SA Health allied and scientific health staff from self-regulated professions

    • Other credentialing resources

    External allied health providers – access agreements

    SA Health has current agreements in place allowing allied health professionals from the following organisations to access SA Health sites without individual Access Appointments:

    • Guide Dogs Association of SA & NT inc.
    • Kudos Services
    • Novita Services
    • Lifetime Support Authority
    • Disability Services, Department of Human Services

    If you require further information about external allied health provider access, please email the Allied and Scientific Health Office.

    Indemnity and insurance

    Registered, Self-Regulated and Non Regulated Allied and Scientific Health professionals who are employed in the public health sector are indemnified under the Government’s indemnity and insurance arrangements for civil liabilities arising in the course of their employment.

    The relevant statement of insurance is available by emailing HealthISUHealth@sa.gov.au with the request for the current Allied and Scientific Health Professionals confirmation of cover letter.

    For non-employed Allied and Scientific Health professionals accessing SA Health sites evidence of appropriate Professional Indemnity coverage for the scope of practice being undertaken to the value of at least $20,000,000 and Public Liability Insurance cover to the value of at least $20,000,000 must be provided.

    National allied health organisations

    • Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH)

    Registration and accreditation schemes

    Allied and scientific health professions are either registered or self-regulated.

    For registered professions, legislation requires registration with one of 16 national health practitioner boards through the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS). Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is the South Australian statutory authority, with professional practice standards set and maintained by the relevant Board.

    There are ten allied health professions employed by SA Health that must be registered.

    For self-regulated professions, professional practice standards are set and maintained by each profession’s relevant professional association. They are not regulated through the National Regulation and Accreditation Scheme.

    A summary below describes the registration boards and professional associations for each of the allied and scientific health professions in South Australia.

    Self-regulated professions

    A summary below describes the registration boards and professional associations for each of the allied and scientific health professions in South Australia that are self-regulated.

    Art and music therapy

    Audiology

    Audiologists wishing to practise in South Australia must have tertiary level qualifications providing eligibility for membership of Audiology Australia.

    Cardiac physiology

    Entry level (AHP1) Cardiac Physiologists must hold a Bachelor degree in a relevant science or health related field as well as be eligible for registration as an Accredited Student Sonographer, administered by the Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR).

    Cardiac Physiologists seeking to practice at an AHP2 level or above are required to hold a degree in a relevant science or health related field as well as a postgraduate qualification in Cardiac Ultrasound or Cardiac Electrophysiology. In addition, registration with ASAR as an Accredited Medical Sonographer is required at this level.

    Exercise physiology

    Medical science

    Medical physics

    Nutrition and dietetics

    Individuals wishing to practice as a dietitian in South Australia must possess a tertiary degree in dietetics, providing eligibility for practicing membership to Dietitians Australia.

    Orthoptists

    Individuals wishing to practice orthoptics in South Australia are required to be registered with the Australian Orthoptic Board, and eligible for membership of Optometry Australia.

    Orthotics and prosthetics

    Individuals wishing to practice in South Australia must possess tertiary level qualifications and may be eligible for membership with the Australian Orthotic Prosthetics Association (AOPA).

    Sonography

    Sonographers must be registered with the Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR). Sonographers only performing ultrasound duties do not need to be registered with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia.

    Social work

    Individuals wishing to practice in South Australia must possess tertiary level qualifications (Bachelor or Masters) providing eligibility for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

    From 1 July 2025, all social workers in South Australia must be registered in line with the Social Workers Registration Act 2021. Further information about social work registration, including a list of FAQs, is available on the Social Workers Registration Board website.

    Speech pathology

    Individuals wishing to practice as a speech pathologist in South Australia are required to possess a tertiary degree in speech pathology, providing eligibility for practicing membership to Speech Pathology Australia.

    Nationally regulated professions

    A summary below describes the registration boards and professional associations for each of the allied and scientific health professions in South Australia that are regulated.

    Dental therapy

    A Dental Therapist works as part of the dental team and may only practice within a structured professional relationship with a dentist.

    Medical radiation (diagnostic radiography, radiation therapy and sonographers)

    Medical Radiation Practitioners in South Australia who operate ionising radiation apparatus are also required by the Environment Protection Authority to hold a radiation licence.

    Occupational therapy

    Optometry

    Pharmacy

    Graduates of an approved program of study are required to complete a period of supervised practice to be eligible for general registration.

    Physiotherapy

    Podiatry

    Psychology

    Further information

    For further information on registration, credentialing and professional associations, email the Allied and Scientific Health Office.