In one of the biggest developments in the history of audiology in Australia, audiologists will be regulated after the nation’s health ministers confirmed they would amend law to regulate the profession.
The Health Ministers Meeting in Perth on 12 September 2025 confirmed audiology would be regulated under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS). Audiologists will join the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) which administers the NRAS scheme.
The move means audiologists will join 16 other health professions regulated under the scheme.
A communique released after the meeting stated:
“Health Ministers noted the updated Audiology Decision Regulatory Impact Statement which affirmed the option of regulating the audiology professions under the NRAS.
“Health Ministers agreed to amend the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, following further policy work, to regulate the audiology profession under the NRAS structure.”
The inclusion of audiology in the NRAS will bring it in line with other regulated professions such as physiotherapy, psychology, and optometry. It will see the establishment of mandatory national registration, protection of title for audiologists, and a complaints process under the administration of Ahpra.
Audiology and consumer organisations welcomed the news.
Strengthen the profession’s reputation
Audiology Australia (AudA) said it welcomed the announcement and the long-awaited decision, which had been broadly supported by Audiology Australia members, was a significant step towards strengthening the reputation of the profession.
“Reflecting decades of advocacy from Audiology Australia, registration under NRAS will deliver important outcomes, including title protection, stronger safeguards for the public, and consistent standards across both the public and private sectors,” said Audiology Australia CEO Ms Leanne Emerson in a media release on 17 September 2025.
“This is a fantastic development in our ongoing efforts to heightened recognition of the important role that audiologists play to treat Australians with hearing and balance concerns and to safeguard the Australian public.
“We would like to recognise the hard work of members and others within the sector who provided feedback on the various consultations and advocated for the profession.”
Audiology Australia confirmed that no further details had been provided at this stage, and noted the release of the Independent review of complexity in the NRAS in July and the Health Ministers Meeting’s recommendation to undertake further policy work made it unclear how this decision would be implemented.
However, the organisation said it was committed to a smooth transition when updates become available.
On the day of the announcement, AudA said on a Linked In post that it was an important development for the future of audiology regulation.
Independent Audiologists Australia (IAA) also welcomed the decision.
Landmark achievement
In a media release on 15 September 2025, IAA described the move as “a landmark achievement for public safety, professional accountability, and the future of hearing healthcare”.
Ms Rachel Gibson, IAA president, said the announcement was the result of more than a decade of sustained advocacy by IAA for stronger, nationally consistent regulation.
“This is a win for every Australian who relies on high-quality, ethical, and evidence-based audiological care,” she said, adding that IAA had “long argued that audiology must be regulated like other allied health professions to ensure public protection”.
“Today’s decision is a clear recognition of that need,” Gibson said.
IAA also commended the Health Ministers and the Department of Health, in its media release, “for progressing this long-overdue reform” and welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the policy and legislative work now underway.
“As the Australian professional body representing independent audiologists, IAA looks forward to working closely with governments to ensure the new regulatory framework is fit-for-purpose, protects consumers, and recognises the unique value of independent practice,” Gibson said.
Clearly defined scope
IAA also emphasised the importance of clearly defining the scope of the new regulation and ensuring that standards reflect the qualifications, expertise, and ethical obligations of university-trained audiologists.
In a Linked In post after the Health Ministers Meeting on 12 September, IAA said: “This is a historic win for patient safety, professional recognition, and the future of our field. Today, our executive is proud to be audiologists.
“We extend our deepest thanks to the National Health Ministers for hearing IAA’s call and acting in the best interests of patients, practitioners, and the profession of audiology.
“This milestone belongs to every audiologist who stood up for integrity, transparency, and the highest clinical standards.”
IAA thanked “the incredible IAA Executive team who initiated the call for regulation and led the push to protect our title as audiologists – Dr Rachel Gibson, Dr Heidi Modrovich, Dr Tegan Keogh, Dr Greg Butcher, Mr Grant Collins, Ms Nicole Eglinton, Dr Signe Steers, Mr Mo Helou and Ms Julie Watts”.
Audiometry details
The Australian College of Audiology incorporating the Hearing Aid Audiology Society of Australia (ACAud inc. HAAS) said on its Linked In page on 12 September that, no further details had been provided at this stage, including whether this includes the audiometry profession.
“We understand that members may have questions,” ACAud inc HAASA said. “Please know that we are actively seeking further clarification and will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available.”
Deafness Forum: A win for hearing health consumers
National hearing health peak consumer body, Deafness Forum Australia, said the move was “a historic milestone for Australian hearing health”.
Ms Rae Walker, Deafness Forum Australia chair, said that after many years of lobbying, the long-awaited decision would pave the way for audiology to be regulated under Ahpra.
“As the national voice for hearing health consumers, Deafness Forum Australia welcomes this decision as a win for Australians with hearing loss,” Walker said in a media release on 16 September 2025.
“Audiologists provide crucial health services and frequently serve vulnerable populations, including infants, young children, and older adults, often with life-changing benefits to their patients.
“Aligning audiology services with the governance, complaints, and disciplinary structures already applied to allied health professions such as optometry, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy, will only benefit those requiring hearing health services.
“Making audiologists subject to independent oversight will provide greater public trust and increased consumer confidence when seeking audiology services.”
Formal recognition of audiology’s vital role
Dr Dayse Távora-Vieira, audiologist at Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group, Royal Perth Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, said the announcement was “a landmark decision for audiology as a profession”. She is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia and Associate Professor at Curtin University.
“It marks the formal recognition of audiology’s vital role in healthcare,” Dr Távora-Vieira said in the Deafness Forum media release. “Ahpra registration not only protects the public by ensuring practitioners are properly qualified, competent and accountable, but also fosters greater trust in the delivery of hearing health services.”
Walker said the implementation process and timing for the regulation to take place was still to be determined.
“While we are yet to see the details of how this regulation will be implemented and managed across all providers of hearing health, we are grateful to Queensland Health for leading the consultation process, and State and Territory Health Ministers for listening to the concerns of our members and their families in making this important decision,” she said.
“Deafness Forum Australia was pleased to be involved across the consultation process, providing a valuable consumer perspective. We represent the one-in-six Australians with hearing loss, and their concerns and safety remain our number one priority.
“We look forward to working with the audiology profession, government, and Ahpra in implementing these reforms to ensure a smooth and timely transition to the new regulatory framework.”
Ahpra‘s website states it works in partnership with 15 National Boards to implement the NRAS scheme. It administers the NRAS and provides administrative support to the national boards.
“The National Scheme regulates 16 health professions, helping to protect the public by setting standards and policies that all registered health practitioners must meet,” Ahpra said on its website.
“Every decision we make is guided by the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory (the National Law).”
AudA encouraged its members to provide their views here.
