EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

AMENDMENT OF NURSES REGISTRATION ORDINANCE 1933 – 1971
AND THE NURSING REGULATIONS

No. 13 of 1971

	The Minister for Health has approved an amendment to the Nurses Registration Ordinance to permit the introduction in the Australian Capital Territory of a two year course of training for general nurses open to persons possessing higher educational qualifications than those prescribed for entrance to the normal three year course.  The academic qualifications to be required for admission to the two year course are set at a level which would qualify for admission to the Third Division of the Commonwealth Public Service.

	The amendments, which include reduction of the minimum age for registration from 20 years to 19 years, are necessary to enable registration of nurses who successfully undertake the shortened course.

	Complementary amendments have also been made to the Nursing Regulations prescribing the actual entrance qualifications for all Australian States and Territories.  Provision has also been made for hospitals, which are approved training schools for general nurses, to conduct the new course.

	The opportunity has also been taken to update the entrance qualifications for admittance to the conventional three year course of training for general nurses.