Medical Board

Please note that the Medical Board of Western Australia is not yet participating in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.

Introduction of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme in Western Australia

The Acting Minister for Health has informed the Medical Board of Western Australia that the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (WA) Bill 2010 ("National Law") will not be operational in time for Western Australia to participate in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme until 18 October 2010 (pending legislation).

This date has been selected in order to provide for a smooth transition process for all health professions.

The WA Government is committed to participate in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.

The delay results in the following requirements for practitioners:

The continuation of the Medical Board of Western Australia under existing current state legislation (Medical Practitioners Act 2008 and the Medical Practitioners Regulations 2008) until the new legislation is operational; and

Practitioners are required to hold current registration with the Medical Board of Western Australia in order to practice in WA; and

From 1 July 2010, WA registered practitioners are required to obtain registration with the Medical Board of Australia in order to practice in other States and Territories. This applies until Western Australia enters the National Scheme.

This means that the annual renewal of registration in WA (due by 30 September 2010) will proceed through the Medical Board of Western Australia and the Medical Practitioners Act 2008.

If you register with the Medical Board of Western Australia prior to 30 September 2010, once the National Law is proclaimed, you will be automatically deemed registered with the Medical Board of Australia.

If you are currently registered with the Medical Board of Australia and wish to work in WA prior to WA entering the National Scheme, the Medical Board of Western Australia has resolved to waive the registration application and practicing fees.

Please note that the contact and address details of the Board remain the same (above) until further notice.

Further information on the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme is available at www.ahpra.gov.au. Further information about the registration requirements of the Medical Board of Australia is available at www.medicalboard.gov.au.

Overview
The Medical Board of Western Australia ("the Board") is a statutory authority established to protect consumers of medical services provided by medical practitioners in Western Australia.

The Board ensures that properly qualified and competent persons practise medicine; is responsible for the regulation of the practise of medicine and the establishment, maintenance and promotion of suitable standards of knowledge and skills among medical practitioners.

Board Updates
Please check the National Registration information regularly

National Registration - Upgrade of Registration
Please note that there will be no upgrade of registration available under the new national registration and accreditation scheme. A new application will be required if you require an upgrade of your registration status (eg. from non-practising to practising).

If you currently hold general registration in the non-practising category of registration and there is a chance that you will need to upgrade your registration in the future (eg. you are currently working overseas and plan to return to work in Australia in the future), then you may wish to consider making application to the Medical Board of Western Australia prior to the commencement date of national registration in WA (1 July 2010 pending legislation). You will need to complete FORM I - Application for Upgrade of Registration - Change from Non-Practising to Occasional Practising or Practising Status and meet the necessary requirements detailed on the form.

Information for Medical Practitioners
Medical practitioners seeking information on registration in Western Australia can download application forms (where applicable). Overseas practitioners will also be able to access information on how to obtain registration in Western Australia.

Institutions/organisations wishing to employ overseas trained doctors may access application forms and institutions wishing to verify a medical practitioner's registration status with the Board for accreditation purposes can obtain these particulars from the Register of Medical Practitioners.

Information for members of the public
Should a member of the public wish to lodge a complaint on a medical practitioner, information on the complaints process and applicable form can be obtained from the Complaints Procedure Information.

Should you require any further information, please feel free to contact staff via the Medical Board Contacts.