ACAud inc. HAASA has launched its ACAud Clinical Internship (ACI) Pathway, which it says is, “an important evolution in hearing care workforce development across Australia”.
The pathway introduces significant workforce entry changes including that domestic and overseas-qualified audiologists will be able to undertake earlier competency assessment through a new examination and test before starting their internship, where approved by ACAud.
Flexible pathways for overseas-qualified audiologists mean they may be able to undertake this exam or test overseas before joining the Australian hearing care workforce.
The pathway also incorporates flexible supervision models, including virtual supervision.
The Australian College of Audiology incorporating HAASA (ACAud inc. HAASA) said it had developed the pathway over the past two years through sector consultation and collaboration. It alerted members and stakeholders to the pathway launch on 25 May in email communications.
“It has been designed to strengthen clinical readiness, educational support, workforce accessibility and competency-based progression while maintaining strong workplace-based clinical training,” executive officer Marguerite Rushworth said.
“The ACI Pathway reflects ACAud Inc HAASA’s commitment to practical workforce solutions, accessible clinical pathways and strong competency-based clinical standards supporting both clinicians and the communities they serve.
“Most importantly, the pathway reflects a commitment to developing a sustainable, supported and clinically capable hearing care workforce for the future of Australia.”
The email statement said the college was proud to introduce the pathway.
“Developed over the past two years through consultation with stakeholders, educational contributors, supervisors, employers and experienced clinicians, the ACI Pathway represents an important evolution in hearing care workforce development across Australia,” it said.
“The pathway has been carefully designed to create a robust, adaptive and practical internship framework aligned to the evolving needs of Australia’s hearing care workforce.
“Designed to better support clinicians, supervisors, employers and ultimately the Australian communities relying on accessible hearing healthcare services, the pathway strengthens clinical readiness, educational support and workforce sustainability while maintaining the practical workplace-based training model central to hearing healthcare delivery.”
KEY FEATURES INCLUDE:
Earlier clinical competency assessment
Introduced through the Clinical Application Performance Examination (CAPE) and Knowledge Integration Test (KIT), domestic audiometrists, audiologists and overseas-qualified applicants may undertake CAPE and KIT before internship commencement where approved by ACAud.
This creates opportunities for:
- earlier identification of clinical readiness
- improved onboarding into clinical practice
- earlier educational support where learning needs are identified
- greater consistency across internship progression
- enhanced workforce accessibility and preparation opportunities.
The pathway may also support workforce participation and progression opportunities for clinicians from regional, rural, remote and Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and First Nations communities through earlier engagement with ACAud educational and competency preparation resources prior to internship commencement.
Flexible pathways for overseas-qualified audiologists
The pathway also aims to better support internationally qualified clinicians entering the Australian hearing care workforce.
Overseas-qualified applicants may undertake either:
- the CAPE and KIT supported internship pathway;
- a DRS internship pathway; or
- the CAPE, KIT and DRS-supported internship pathway.
The CAPE and KIT may be undertaken before arriving in Australia where approved by ACAud under the Certification and Examination Policy.
Applicants undertaking the CAPE and KIT supported pathway may be eligible for earlier recognition within the ACAud Hearing Rehabilitation Audiologist (HR Audiologist) pathway, subject to applicable ACAud certification requirements.
“The HR Audiologist pathway recognises clinicians practising within rehabilitation-focused hearing care services aligned to the Hearing Rehabilitation Specialist (HRS) competency framework as part of a structured and progressive audiology workforce pathway,” ACAud said.
All applicants must successfully meet applicable examination, supervision, portfolio, workplace competency and certification requirements, including final supervisor endorsement and ACAud approval processes, before independent clinical certification.
Flexible supervision models
The pathway also incorporates flexible supervision models, including virtual supervision within applicable stages where appropriate, supporting regional, rural, remote and workforce-limited settings.
Competency-based progression
The pathway also supports competency-based progression with experienced clinicians who demonstrate appropriate competency development able to progress through components of the pathway earlier where approved by ACAud.
While the pathway introduces significant enhancements, the organisation said the core foundations of practical clinical training remained unchanged.
The internship continued to focus on:
- workplace-based clinical learning
- structured supervision and mentorship
- safe and ethical clinical practice
- progressive clinical independence
- practical diagnostic and rehabilitation experience
- strong employer and supervisor involvement.
For more details see the stakeholder presentations below:
