In Australia, the Allied Health workforce is broad and diverse, encompassing a range of health practitioners and professionals who work autonomously and in multidisciplinary teams with assistants and other health and medical staff. See A-Z Allied Health Careers here.
The Allied Health workforce works in clinical and community healthcare settings across the public, not-for-profit and private sector.
Most Allied Health professions in Australia are represented by Professional Associations, that provide:
Advocacy: Representing the profession to government bodies, industry stakeholders, and the public.
Standards and Guidelines: Developing codes of conduct, best practices, and ethical guidelines.
Professional Accreditation: Accrediting education programs to ensure they meet the professional practice standards.
Education and Training: Offering continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities, workshops, and certification programs.
Networking Opportunities: Facilitating professional connections through events and forums.
Resources and Support: Providing career advice, legal support, and access to research or publications.
Registration with a professional association is not legally required, however it is often expected by employers, and membership can enhance professional credibility.
Certain Allied Health professions in Australia are regulated under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS), overseen by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Professionals in these fields must register with their respective National Boards, which are responsible for:
Registering qualified health practitioners.
Setting and enforcing professional standards and codes of conduct.
Managing notifications (complaints) about health practitioners' conduct or performance.
Overseeing mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) and recency of practice requirements.
Allied Health Professional Associations List
Allied Health Field | Association Name | Logo/link |
Audiology | Audiology Australia |
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Art Therapy | Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA) |
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Chiropractic | The Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) |
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Chiropractic | Chiropractic Australia |
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Dietetics | Dietitians Association of Australia |
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Diabetes Education | Australian Diabetes Educators Association |
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Exercise Physiology | Exercise and Sports Science Australia |
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Genetic Counselling | Australasian Society of Genetic Counsellors |
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Music Therapy | Australian Music Therapy Association |
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Occupational Therapy | Occupational Therapy Australia |
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Optometry | Optometrists Association Australia |
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Orthoptics | Orthoptics Australia |
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Orthotics & Prosthetics | The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Inc |
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Osteopathy | Osteopathy Australia |
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Paramedicine | The Australian Institute of Paramedic Practitioners (AIPP) |
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Pedorthics | The Pedorthic Association of Australia |
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(Community) Pharmacy | The Pharmacy Guild of Australia |
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(Hospital) Pharmacy | Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia |
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Physiotherapy | The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) |
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Physiotherapy | Australian Physiotherapy Council |
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Podiatry | Australian Podiatry Association |
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Practice Managers | Australian Association of Practice Managers |
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Certified Clinical Perfusionists | The Australian and New Zealand College of Perfusionists (ANZCP) |
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Psychology | Australian Association of Psychologists Inc |
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(Clinical) Psychology | The Australian Clinical Psychology Association |
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Psychological Sciences | The Australian Psychological Society (APS) |
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Psychotherapy and Counselling | The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) |
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Nutrition – Certified Practicing Nutritionists | The Australasian Association and Register of Practicing Nutritionists (AARPN) |
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Radiography / Medical Imaging / Medical Radiation | The Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT) |
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Rehabilitation Counselling | The Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors (ASORC) |
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Social Work | Australian Association of Social Workers |
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Sonography | Australasian Sonographers Association |
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Speech Pathology | Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) |
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Registered Allied Health Profession | National Board Name | Logo/link |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner | The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia |
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Chinese Medicine Practitioner | The Chinese Medicine Board of Australia |
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Chiropractor | The Chiropractic Board of Australia |
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Occupational Therapist | The Occupational Therapy Board of Australia |
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Optometrist | The Optometry Board of Australia |
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Osteopath | The Osteopathy Board of Australia |
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Paramedicine | The Paramedicine Board of Australia |
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Pharmacist | The Pharmacy Board of Australia |
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Physiotherapist | The Physiotherapy Board of Australia |
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Podiatrist and Podiatric Surgeon | The Podiatry Board of Australia |
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Psychologist | Psychology Board of Australia |
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Medical Radiation Practitioner | The Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia |
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