Update - National Code of Conduct for health care workers

Progress continues to be made towards the implementation in Western Australia of a National Code of Conduct for health care workers (National Code), with the Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Amendment Bill 2021 being passed by the Western Australian Parliament’s Legislative Assembly in May 2022 and now pending the Legislative Council.

The purpose of the National Code is to protect the public by setting minimum standards of conduct and practice for all health care workers in Western Australia who are not otherwise registered under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS), such as massage therapists, dieticians, speech pathologists, social workers, counsellors, naturopaths and other types of allied, alternative and community health services.

The National Code will also apply to workers who may be providing a health service unrelated to their NRAS registration, or who are student or volunteer health care workers.

Under the amendment Bill, the Health and Disability Services Complaints Office (HaDSCO) will implement the National Code through receiving complaints and undertaking investigations. HaDSCO will also be able to undertake disciplinary action by placing conditions on a healthcare worker’s practice and/or the issuing of prohibition orders to cease practice in circumstances where their conduct presents a serious risk to public health and safety.

The National Code will not restrict entry into practice; however, it will allow effective action to be taken against a health care worker who fails to comply with the standards as provided for under the National Code. There are currently 17 clauses under the National Code which set out the manner in which health care workers should undertake their practice.

Timing for the implementation of the National Code will be dependent on the Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Amendment Bill 2021being passed by the Western Australian Parliament’s Legislative Council.

For further enquiries, please contact Mr Luen Christian-Burch, Project Officer for the National Code, on (08) 6551 7600.