Welcome to the Health Practitioner Regulation Website
The Department of Human Services is responsible for maintaining an up-to-date and responsive regulatory framework for the health professions, and broad policy matters related to the operation of health practitioner registration boards.
This responsibility includes:
- Preparation of proposals for reform of the legislative scheme regulating health practitioners for consideration by the Minister for Health.
- Advice on a broad range of issues regarding the regulation of health professionals.
- Management of the administrative processes through which appointments are made to health practitioner registration boards.
The following health professions are subject to statutory registration in Victoria:
- Chinese medicine practitioners (acupuncturists, Chinese herbal medicine practitioners and Chinese herbal dispensers)
- Chiropractors
- Dental care providers (dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists and dental prosthetists)
- Medical practitioners
- Medical radiation practitioners
- Nurses
- Optometrists
- Osteopaths
- Pharmacists
- Physiotherapists
- Podiatrists
- Psychologists
Each of these professions is regulated by the Health Professions Registration Act 2005. A copy of the Act may be accessed at the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents Website. This Act came into operation on 1 July 2007, and repealed the following Acts:
- Chinese Medicine Registration Act 2000
- Chiropractors Registration Act 1996
- Dental Practice Act 1999
- Medical Practice Act 1994
- Nurses Act 1993
- Optometrists Registration Act 1996
- Osteopaths Registration Act 1996
- Pharmacy Practice Act 2004
- Physiotherapists Registration Act 1998
- Podiatrists Registration Act 1997
- Psychologists Registration Act 2000; and
- Section 108AL of the Health Act 1958 (and associated regulations), in respect of medical radiation practitioners.
The Health Professions Registration Act 2005 was the result of a departmental review of the regulation of the health professions, conducted between 2002 and 2005.
Further information on health legislation may be accessed at the department¿s Health Legislation Website