Inquiry into the establishment of a national registration system for paramedics: A response to New South Wales

Abstract

Introduction The potential national registration of paramedics is a significant issue. Despite widespread support of paramedics joining other registered health practitioners under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme, New South Wales continues to oppose. Aim This paper considers the New South Wales submission to the Senate Committee’s inquiry into the establishment of a national registration system for Australian paramedics. It evaluates the reasons for New South Wales Health’s opposition to national registration. Conclusion New South Wales Health’s reasons for opposing national paramedic registration include the cost to implement a registration scheme, the desire to maintain vocational entry to employment and the purported efficiency of their current regulatory system. However, their position fails to address the challenges of employer-based regulation and the significant public protection benefit, among other things, of national statutory regulation.