There are characteristics your professional association must have for you to be eligible to get an HPI-I.
You’ll need to be registered under a national registration authority scheme such as Ahpra. We’ll ask you to provide evidence of registration with a professional association when you apply.
When you submit your application for an HPI-I through HPOS, you’ll see the list of previously assessed professional associations. If your professional association isn’t listed, you can submit your application and we’ll check if it meets the requirements.
Before applying your professional association must:
- have national uniform registration requirements
- be a separate legal entity under a law of the Australian Government or a state or territory.
It must also:
- have members who practise the same health care profession
- have enough memberships to be considered representative of the health care profession practised by its members
- aim to maintain the standing of the health care profession practised by its members
- set its own admission requirements, including acceptable qualifications
- set requirements to maintain its members’ professional skills and knowledge by continuing professional development
- set and publish its own standards of practice and ethical conduct
- have its own written rules, articles of association, by‑laws or codes of conduct for its members
- have the ability to impose sanctions on members who contravene the association’s written rules, articles of association, by‑laws or codes of conduct.
Members of the association must be able to:
- take part in decisions affecting their profession
- have the right to vote at meetings of the association
- have the right to be recognised as being members of the professional association.
Professional associations are not required to have the characteristics to function as legitimate associations. However, to be eligible for a HPI-I you must be a member of one that does.