Australian Capital Territory

Explanatory Statement

Health Professionals (Fees) Determination 2007 (No 17)

Disallowable instrument DI2007-305

made under the

Health Professionals Act 2004, s 132 (Determination of fees)

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The Health Professionals Act 2004 (the Act) provides for the registration of suitably qualified nurses and midwives, the control of the practice of nursing and midwifery and for related purposes.

Section 132 of the Act provides the Health Professional Boards with the power to determine fees for the purposes of the Act in relation to the professions that the Board regulates.  This instrument sets fees for the ACT Nursing and Midwifery Board.

This instrument revokes DI2006–32 and DI2007-41.

Since 1995, the ACT Nursing and Midwifery Board (the Board) has been self-funded, with no funds being allocated within the Government’s budgetary process.  Fees are set by the Board to enable the Board to cover the costs of administering the Act, and to thereby ensure protection of the public.

In February 2007, a new fee schedule was established which included an increase in fees associated with registration and retrospective re-registration; to obtain a copy of, or extract from, the register; and for alteration to the register; and for the assessment of overseas registration.  Apart from the assessment of overseas registration fee, prior to these increases, the fees associated with these Board related activities had not been increased since 1996.

At the time of increase in Board fees, a new fee was introduced for late registration.  This fee is a penalty for failure to pay for re-registration on time, and to provide a disincentive to allowing a registration to lapse.