Legislation passed in the ACT Legislative Assembly this week will protect Canberrans when they access health services, health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said.

The Human Rights Commission Amendment Bill 2023 (National Code of Conduct for Health Workers), introduced in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, amends the Human Rights Commission Act 2005 to implement the National Code of Conduct for Health Care Workers.

The National Code sets a minimum standard of conduct and practice for health workers who are not registered under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) or who provide services unrelated to their registration.

This includes allied health assistants, herbalists, counsellors, massage therapists, alternative medicine practitioners, dental technicians and assistants, speech pathologists, social workers, dietitians, and pharmacy assistants.

Ms Stephen-Smith said the National Code aims to provide consumers with the confidence they receive healthcare guided by safe and ethical practice.

“While the vast majority of healthcare workers practice in a safe, competent, and ethical manner, it is important to have a robust set of standards and regulations in place to protect consumers and the wider community,” she said.

“This National Code of Conduct will … address gaps in the professional regulation, skills, and credentialling of healthcare workers.”

Once the National Code is implemented, consumers will have more options for resolving disputes with healthcare workers and to take appropriate action, Ms Stephen-Smith said. 

The ACT Health Services Commissioner will investigate complaints and take action in circumstances where the community may be put at risk. This includes the power to act against a healthcare worker who has had prohibition orders placed on them in another state or territory and is now operating in the ACT.

“The ACT Government consulted with consumer and worker representatives, peak bodies, and the Health Services Commissioner in developing the Bill to implement the National Code,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

The minister expects the National Code of Conduct will come into effect six months after legislation has passed.

“This allows time for government and non-government healthcare providers to prepare for the change and understand their obligations,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

The proposed amendments to the Human Rights Commission Act 2005 brings the ACT into alignment with New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland, which have already implemented the National Code of Conduct for Health Care Workers.