The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

1.1.T.170 Treating health professional (THP) (CA, CP)

Definition: CA & CP (child)

The Secretary has approved the following classes of people as THPs who can complete the DCLA (1.1.D.170) professional questionnaires for child care receivers:

  • a person registered or licensed as a medical practitioner under a law of a state or territory that provides for the registration or licensing of medical practitioners
  • a person registered or licensed as a nurse under the law of a state or territory that provides for the registration or licensing of nurses
  • an occupational therapist who is registered as an occupational therapist with the Australian Health Professional Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
  • a person registered or licensed to practise physiotherapy under a law of a state or territory that provides for the registration or licensing of physiotherapists
  • a person registered as a psychologist under a law of a state or territory that provides for the registration of psychologists
  • a person employed in a clinical role as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander health worker, by a health service, in a geographically remote location
  • a person registered or licensed to practise speech pathology under a law of a state or territory that provides for the registration or licensing of speech pathologists, or
  • if registration or licensing of speech pathologists is not available in a state or territory, a person employed as a speech pathologist who is a member of the Speech Pathology Association of Australia.

Act reference: SSAct section 38E Disability Care Load Assessment (Child) Determination, section 38F Treating health professional

Definition: CA & CP (adult)

The Secretary has approved the following classes of people as THPs who can complete the ADAT (1.1.A.78) professional questionnaire for adult care receivers:

  • a person registered or licensed as a medical practitioner under a law of a state or territory that provides for the registration or licensing of medical practitioners
  • a person registered or licensed as a nurse under the law of a state or territory that provides for the registration or licensing of nurses
  • an occupational therapist who is eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists
  • a person registered and licensed to practise physiotherapy under a law of a state or territory that provides for the registration or licensing of physiotherapists
  • any member of an Australian, state and territory government funded ACAT, and
  • an Aboriginal health worker may be considered equivalent to a THP if
    • the claimant lives in a remote area such as a remote Aboriginal community
    • there is likely to be a delay from obtaining a report from one of the above listed THPs, AND
    • the care receiver's medical condition was originally diagnosed by a medical practitioner.

Note: The Secretary's delegate has the authority to approve an individual health professional as an approved THP on a case by case basis for the purpose of the ADAT. This discretion should only be used where the delegate is satisfied that a professional on the approved list of THP's could not provide adequate information. They should also be satisfied the person completing the questionnaire is qualified to provide an assessment of the care receiver's condition and care needs.

The delegate does not have the authority to approve the addition of a class of persons to the approved list of THP's, such as psychologists. This must be authorised by the Secretary.

Act reference: SSAct section 38C Adult Disability Assessment Tool

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