Information for allied and scientific health professionals, including credentially, development oportunities and more
Allied health credentialing and professional associations
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
- Credentialing for Allied and Scientific Health Professionals (PDF 488KB)
- Initial Credentialing Application (PDF 204KB) - for new SA Health allied and scientific health staff
- Re-credentialing Application (PDF 213KB) - for existing SA Health allied and scientific health staff
- Access Appointment Application (PDF 240KB) - for non-SA Health allied and scientific health professionals accessing SA Health sites
- Mutual Recognition Application (PDF 198KB) - for allied and scientific health professionals requiring access to additional LHN(s).
- Credentialing and Defining Scope of Clinical Practice for Allied & Scientific Health Professionals Toolkit (PDF 300KB)
Other credentialing resources
- Credentialing and Scope of Clinical Practice System for Health Practitioners User Guide: For Allied Health Professionals (PDF 1.2MB)
- Client Request for non-SA Health allied health service (PDF 188KB)
- Health Service Request for non-SA Health allied health service (PDF 180KB)
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)
- Australian Allied Health Leadership Forum (AAHLF) (PDF 321KB).
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
- Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA)
- Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA).
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
- For Medical Laboratory Scientists - Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS)
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 Practice Board of Australia
- For diagnostic radiography, radiation therapy and sonographers — Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT)
- For nuclear medicine technologists - Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM)
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
- Psychology Board of Australia
- Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Australian Association of Psychologists (AAP)
Further information
For further information on registration, credentialing and professional associations, email the Allied and Scientific Health Office.