Psychologists Board Functions

General information about the Board's functions under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003

The HPCA Act sets out the functions of authorities under part 6 section 118(a-m):

1. to prescribe the qualifications required for scopes of practice within the profession, and, for that purpose, to accredit and monitor educational institutions and degrees, courses of studies, or programmes;

2. to authorise the registration of health practitioners under this Act, and to maintain registers:

3. to consider applications for annual practising certificates;

4. to review and promote the competence of health practitioners;

5. to recognise, accredit, and set programmes to ensure the ongoing competence of health practitioners;

6. to receive and act on information from health practitioners, employers, the Health and Disability Commissioner about the competence of health practitioners;

7. to notify employers, the Accident Compensation Corporation, the Director General of Health, and the Health and Disability Commissioner that the practice of a health practitioner may post a risk of harm to the public;

8. to further consider the cases of health practitioners who may be unable to perform the functions required for the practice of the profession;

9. to set standards of clinical competence, cultural competence, and ethical conduct to be observed by health practitioners of the profession;

10. to liaise with other authorities appointed under the Act about matters of common interest;

11. to promote education and training in the profession;

12. to promote public awareness of the responsibilities of the authority;

13. to exercise and perform any other functions, powers, and duties that are conferred or imposed on it by or under this Act or any other enactment.

As soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, each Psychologists Board must deliver to the Minister of Health a report on the operation of the authority during that financial year, and include an audited financial statement.  [Refer Annual Report]