Recent advocacy highlights
To read about our latest advocacy work, visit our news and media centre.
Scope of Practice Review
The Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce – Scope of Practice Review explores the barriers and incentives for primary health care practitioners working to their full scope of practice system. In the latest consultation (phase 3), the Review team sought stakeholder feedback on its (PDF 204.86KB)Issues Paper 2 (PDF 204.86KB) which proposed reform options. RACS provided a response (PDF 204.86KB)to how the three reform themes – Workforce design, development and planning; Legislation and regulation; and Funding and payment policy, can support primary care health professionals work to their full scope of practice.
Read RACS' response (PDF 204.86KB)
Working Better for Medicare Survey
RACS' responses to the public consultation survey on the Working Better for Medicare Review
Read RACS' responses (DOCX 979.27KB)
Public Consultation on Draft Guidelines for Surgical Cosmetic Procedures
RACS supports the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) submission concerning improving regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures. RACS also included comments on Facilities and non-surgical cosmetic procedures and the draft guidelines.
Read RACS submission (PDF 159.08KB)
Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Submission
RACS made a submission to the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) review, endorsing the reporting of environmental impacts and using this data in approval and reimbursement decisions for health technology products.
Read RACS submission (PDF 212.11KB)
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law- Amendment Bill
RACS recently responded to an Australian Government draft consultation on the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law- Amendment Bill.
Letter regarding draft Guidance for health service organisations on the introduction of new interventional procedures
RACS wrote to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare to comment on the draft Guidance for health service organisations on the introduction of new interventional procedures and to provide its critique from a surgical perspective.
Read the full letter (PDF 327.27KB)
Letter regarding proposed reforms to The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law
RACS wrote to the Department of Health to provide its input as it relates to Australian health ministers' proposals for change and reform to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Victoria included) with a focus on three key areas: Increased Transparency, Nationally Consistent Re-registration, and Protection for Complainants and Whistleblowers.
Read the full letter (PDF 325.85KB)
Letter regarding Vaping Reforms Bill 2024
RACS wrote to the Senate Committee for Community Affairs Legislation to express its strong support for the Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Bill 2024
Read the full letter letter (PDF 207.36KB)
Letters regarding legislation protecting the title "surgeon"
RACS wrote to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra)'s Independent Review of the Regulation of Podiatric Surgery to express its support for legislation protecting the title "surgeon" and the passage of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Surgeons) Amendment Bill 2023.
Read the full letter (PDF 241.47KB)
RACS wrote to The Hon. Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care, to express its support for legislation protecting the title "surgeon" and the passage of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Surgeons) Amendment Bill 2023.
Read the full letter (PDF 327.2KB)
Letter regarding Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiology position statement on Autonomous Artificial Intelligece
RACS wrote to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiology (RANZCR) to review and provide comments on its position statement on Autonomous Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is increasingly being integrated into medical fields such as radiology and surgery, promising enhancements in diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and overall patient outcomes. However, the adoption of AI in these areas comes with significant concerns, particularly regarding the potential for errors, legal liability, and impacts on insurance.
The Australian Gender Affirming Surgery Report
RACS wrote to the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons congratulating them on the Australian Gender Affirming Surgery Roundtable held 2nd December 2023 and its subsequent report.