The ACT is set to become the first jurisdiction in Australia to allow nurse practitioners to issue cause of death certificates, under new laws introduced in the Legislative Assembly.

The Nurse Practitioners Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 will give nurse practitioners endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia new legal authorities, including issuing cause of death certificates within 48 hours, and witnessing non-written health directions.

Health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the reforms recognise the advanced training and specialist skills of nurse practitioners, particularly in palliative care, hospice and aged care settings.

“These reforms will ensure their skills are fully utilised, improving access to timely, high-quality healthcare for Canberrans,” she said.

Ms Stephen-Smith said nurse practitioners issuing cause of death certificates would ease pressure on families and remove the need for a doctor where the nurse practitioner had provided care. Deaths that require referral to the Coroner will follow existing protocols.

The Bill would also allow nurse practitioners to witness non-written health directions alongside doctors, making the process more accessible in clinical settings.

The changes build on recent legislative reforms granting nurse practitioners roles in voluntary assisted dying assessments and enabling them to prescribe medical termination of pregnancy. Further work is underway to expand their responsibilities to fitness-to-drive assessments and workers’ compensation documentation.

Tim Keun, ACT Chapter Lead of the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners, said: “This is a landmark moment for healthcare in Australia. By empowering nurse practitioners to work to their full scope, the ACT Government is ensuring families receive timely, person-centred care when they need it most.

“These reforms reflect contemporary healthcare needs and set a benchmark for other jurisdictions to follow.”