Defining allied health
There is no universally accepted definition of ‘allied health professional’. However, Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) advises there is basic agreement on the following principles:
“Allied health professionals are health professionals that are not part of the medical, dental or nursing professions. They are university qualified practitioners with specialised expertise in preventing, diagnosing and treating a range of conditions and illnesses”
(AHPA website).
NCAHA acknowledges AHPA as the appropriate authority to define and describe allied health and allied health professions.
Allied health professions as defined by AHPA
- Arts Therapy
- Audiology
- Cardiac Physiology
- Certified Practising Nutritionist
- Chiropractor
- Counsellors and Psychotherapists
- Credentialled Diabetes Educator
- Dietetics
- Dietitian
- Exercise Physiologist
- Genetic Counsellor
- Medical Radiation Practitioner
- Music Therapy
- Occupational Therapist
- Optometrist
- Orthoptist
- Osteopath
- Physiotherapist
- Podiatrist
- Psychologist
Working roles of the allied health professions
As health knowledge continues to evolve, new areas of specialty may emerge and existing disciplines may expand. NCAHA recognises that the allied health landscape is dynamic and remains open to considering emerging fields and potential new disciplines over time.
Allied health professionals (AHPs) provide essential care for people across all age ranges, including people with chronic illnesses, mental ill-health, or disability. AHPs diagnose, treat, prevent ill health and rehabilitate.
Key features of allied health professions
AHPA identifies the following key features of allied health professions:
- a direct patient care role and may have application to broader public health outcomes
- a national professional organisation with a code of ethics/conduct and clearly defined membership requirements
- university health sciences courses (not medical, dental or nursing) at AQF Level 7 or higher, accredited by their relevant national accreditation body
- clearly articulated national entry level competency standards and assessment procedures
- a defined core scope of practice
- robust and enforceable regulatory mechanisms
- practices within an evidence-based paradigm.