The peak professional body for audiologists in Australia, Audiology Australia (AudA), has announced several changes to the pathway for overseas-qualified audiologists to qualify to practise in Australia, including the option to begin supervised practise ahead of completing the compulsory examination.
And Australian accredited audiometrists who have overseas qualifications as audiologists will now also be able to seek interim recognition to work in Australia as limited scope audiologists. This will allow them to work independently in adult rehabilitation, while they complete their full assignment of supervision to full scope by an accredited audiologist. The required supervision together with successfully passing the examination, then allows them to achieve full accreditation.
AudA said the significant enhancements to its application processes took place on 1 May 2026.
They were designed to ensure that audiologists who have already qualified overseas are more effectively supported through their accreditation pathway when seeking to become Audiology Australia Accredited Audiologists.
Major changes include:
- Overseas-qualified audiologists applying for accreditation through AudA will be able to practise immediately in Australia under supervision while they prepare for their AudA Overseas Examination. They need to be supervised by an Accredited Audiologist and there are specific requirements around how that is monitored. Previously, they were required to pass the exam before starting their required period of supervision. Now they can start their supervision and sit the exam at any point during their supervision period.
- Overseas-qualified audiologists working as accredited audiometrists (QP) in Australia have the option to apply to be recognised as Audiology Australia Accredited Limited Scope Audiologists, as an interim step towards achieving full accreditation. Limited Scope restricts their practice to adult rehabilitation.
“This move will both enable applicants to support themselves financially as they work through their accreditation and gain valuable Australian experience in preparation for the exam,” AudA said in a media release on 1 May 2026.
“It will also allow employers in Australia to better address their workforce needs.”
- In addition, already accredited audiologists with 12 months’ experience who are not already members of Audiology Australia, will now be able to have their accredited equivalency automatically recognised – reciprocal recognition through AudA.
Leanne Emerson, AudA CEO, said the enhancements were another example of how AudA was putting audiologists first.
“For decades, AudA has led the way in accrediting audiologist candidates,” she said.
“This will allow accredited Australian audiologists to more easily join AudA if they wish, as well as provide overseas-qualified audiologists a clearer, and better supported pathway to accreditation, enabling them to gain valuable experience in the Australian workforce with guidance, supervision, and access to tailored resources.”
Emerson told HPA: “Accreditation as a Limited Scope Audiologist will enable candidates to practise independently in the area of adult rehabilitation. At the same time, they will continue to undertake all other areas of audiological scope of practice under supervision until they pass the overseas exam and achieve full accreditation.
“Limited Scope is an interim step: the candidates then have one year to complete their full accreditation.”
Rigorously assessed to maintain reputation
Emerson said all applications would continue to be rigorously assessed by AudA to ensure applicants “meet the benchmark required to practise audiology in Australia and maintain the high standards required to ensure client safety and the profession’s reputation.”
She told HPA: “The Overseas Pathway includes a robust assessment process of the candidate’s qualifications and experience to ensure comparability with Australian qualifications.
“Candidates are now required to complete cultural competency training as well as training into the Australian Audiology Landscape before they begin practising under supervision and they must be supervised by Accredited Audiologists.
“The examination assesses the clinicians against the same clinical standards as Australian-qualified audiologists.”
AudA said it would continue to accredit audiologists until the start of registration of audiology under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS), expected by 2030 at the earliest.
“Audiology Australia has a laser sharp focus on strengthening the audiology profession and supporting audiologists to deliver the highest standards of hearing health care,” Emerson said.
List of recognised overseas qualifications
All recognised overseas qualifications are listed in AudA’s new Overseas Qualified Audiologists Pathway booklet. Overseas audiologists who have completed a program of study not on this list, will have their study program individually assessed.
“The new list provides overseas-qualified audiologist candidates with greater insight into whether Stage 1 of their application will be accepted,” Emerson said.
“The list comprises qualifications that Audiology Australia is satisfied contain content and learning outcomes that are equivalent to the accreditation standards required by graduates of accredited Audiology Masters programs in Australia.
“Candidates who do not possess the recognised qualifications will continue to have their qualifications individually assessed.”
The changes are detailed on the Audiology Australia website.
For more information see also the Overseas qualified audiologists section.
