Supervised practice framework

National Boards and Ahpra have developed the Supervised practice framework (the framework) to create a responsive and risk-based approach to supervised practice across the National Scheme.

Supervised practice reassures the community, National Boards and Ahpra that a registered health practitioner whose practice is being supervised (the supervisee) is safe and competent to practise and is not putting the public at risk.

The framework has been developed to:

• give guidance when supervised practice is required to meet registration requirements, conditions or undertakings
• set out core components that support high-quality, safe and effective supervised practice
• support consistent processes and decision making within Ahpra
• help supervisees and supervisors better understand what is expected of them
• be clearer, relevant and user-friendly.

The framework outlines the principles which underpin supervised practice, the levels of supervised practice and the National Boards’ expectations of supervisees, supervisors and employers. It also explains Ahpra and the Boards’ compliance processes and gives guidance on how to effectively comply with supervised practice requirements.

Read the framework.

When does this framework apply?

1. As a registration requirement

For some National Boards, some types of registration require supervised practice such as limited registration and provisional registration (such as for overseas qualified practitioners).

2. To meet the National Board’s eligibility or suitability requirements at application or renewal.

3. Because of a complaint (notification).

When does this framework not apply?

This framework does not apply to:

• supervision of students undertaking clinical training (the meaning of student for the purpose of this framework is set out in section 10. Definitions)
• supervision of unregistered health practitioners
• supervision for research purposes (unless the practitioner holds limited registration for teaching or research)
• provision of support to new graduates or less experienced practitioners, or
• performance review responsibilities of managers and employers.

Supervision guidelines

Some registration standards used by National Boards refer to supervision guidelines. New Supervision guidelines (the guidelines) have been developed to:

• replace any previously approved supervision guidelines or framework from National Boards, and
• adopt the framework.

Changes to relevant registration standards to explicitly refer to the framework rather than supervision guidelines will be made at a later date.

Read the guidelines.

What you need to do

The framework and the guidelines came into effect on 1 February 2022. Transition arrangements are in place for supervisees and supervisors already carrying out supervised practice or who have sent documents to Ahpra or the National Board before 1 February 2022.

Resources to help you

This following information has been developed to help you understand and apply the framework.

• FAQ: Supervised practice framework
• Fact sheet: Supervised practice framework - transition arrangements
• Key steps – a summary when using the Supervised practice framework

Change in circumstances

Proposed changes to an approved supervised practice arrangement should be submitted to the Board for approval in writing and may require completion of a new Supervised practice plan.

If you are completing supervised practice following a complaint (notification) and are seeking a change to the approved supervised practice arrangement you may be required to make an application for a review of the conditions or undertakings. More information is available on the Ahpra website.