Australian Capital Territory
Health Professionals (Regulation of Health Profession) Decision 2006 (No 1) 
Disallowable instrument DI2006–80
made under the  
Health Professionals Act 2004, s20, (Decision to regulate a health profession)

1	Name of instrument
This instrument is the Health Professionals (Regulation of Health Profession) Decision 2006 (No 1).
2	Commencement 
This instrument commences on the day after notification day. 
3	Decision about new health profession under the Act, s 20
	The Executive has decided that the profession of Medical Radiation Scientists should be regulated under the Health Professionals Act 2004.
4.	Satisfaction of criteria under the Act, s 21
The decision that Medical Radiation Scientists should be regulated as a health profession is both necessary and desirable having regard to the criteria in section 21 of the Health Professionals Act 2004. 

There is a significant risk of harm to the health and safety of the public posed by the activities of medical radiation scientists. The nature and severity of the high risk associated with this practice can be limited by the regulation of the profession, the provision of safe practices and ensuring that only suitably qualified and regulated professionals undertake the practice. 

The current legislative regime regulates the use of ionising radiation devices and their operators, but does not cover professional standards, ethics, competence and the activities of medical radiation scientists. In addition, the current professional associations have no ability to prevent a member from practising or to impose continuing professional development which are mandatory requirements under the Health Professionals Act 2004. 

The medical radiation scientists are a well-defined group of health professionals, who are currently regulated or licensed in most states and territories of Australia. 

Katy Gallagher	Simon Corbell 
Minister for Health	Attorney General 

21 May 2006	22 May 2006