Allied Health Credentialing
What is credentialing and why do we need to do it?
Credentialing ensures that staff treating consumers at Barwon Health possess the appropriate formal qualifications, training, experience and clinical competence to perform their role.
The key principles that underpin the need for credentialing and defining the scope of clinical practice are to:
- maintain and improve the safety and quality of care that patients receive from health professionals
- sustain the confidence of both the public and healthcare professions
- support and embed good practice
- ensure compliance with all relevant legal requirements, national standards and guidelines.
Barwon Health is required to ensure that all allied health professionals who provide services at Barwon Health facilities are appropriately credentialed.
Who is required to complete the Visiting Allied Health Professionals credentialing process?
All allied health professionals who provide services to patients/residents at Barwon Health facilities.
This includes all professions identified here: www.health.vic.gov.au/allied-health-workforce/allied-health-professions
This may include situations such as:
- providing NDIS or private services to an Aged Care resident or an admitted inpatient
- treating patients as a tutor/teacher or participant in a course with Barwon Health patients
- non-Barwon Health employees who provide regular services such as Music Therapy at Barwon Health facilities.
Note: Visiting Allied Health professionals working for a provider who has a contract or Service Agreement in place with Barwon Health (e.g. VIVA in Aged Care or Geelong Orthotics) are required to complete the credentialing process with their employer and either their employer or the health professional will need to complete the credentialing application type titled ‘Visiting Allied Health Professional with contract’ in Cgov.
How do I apply to be credentialed?
Complete the Visiting Allied Health Professionals (without a contract) application.
To complete this application, you will require:
- 100 points of identification.
- AHPRA number (AHPRA registered professions) or Statutory Declaration and certified copy of your qualifications (non-AHPRA registered professions).
- CV
- Working with Children Check (if applicable).
- NDIS Worker screening check number (if working with NDIS clients).
- Police check from within the last 18 months (not required if you have a current NDIS worker screening check).
- Evidence of immunisation including COVID and Flu vaccination status (required for all sites other than aged care).
- Two referees.
- Evidence of professional indemnity insurance.
- Signed Privacy Confidentiality and Security Agreement.
- Signed minimum expectations of visiting AHPs (without a contract).
- Signed Employee Code of Conduct.
- Screenshot of evidence of completion of the Visiting Allied Health Profession orientation module (Visiting Allied Health Professionals attending a one-off visit, who will be accompanied by a Barwon Health Staff member at all times whilst on site, do not need to complete this module).
- Radiation licence (as appropriate).
- Able to provide evidence of professional development that meets your profession’s registration/membership standards, if audited.
- If the scope of practice for the purpose of your visit requires a specialist skill set, you may be required to provide additional information.
How are applications processed?
Applications are submitted to the relevant Barwon Health Allied Health manager for review, reference check and decision. Approved applications will be sent to the Allied Health Credentialing Committee for endorsement.
You will be notified that your application has been received.
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if your application is time critical.
You are required to have confirmation of endorsement prior to providing services to patients/residents at Barwon Health.
If applications are incomplete, this will delay the processing of your application.
If I’m credentialed, what does this allow me to do?
If your application is endorsed, you will be able to provide services at Barwon Health facilities and to Barwon Health patients/residents within the scope of practice detailed in the letter of endorsement. You are required to have a copy of this letter available as evidence of credentialing, when providing services at Barwon Health sites.
If you wish to change the scope of practice you have applied for, you will need to submit a new application.
Visiting allied health professionals must act in accordance with the Barwon Health Code of Conduct and relevant Barwon Health policies and procedures for the area of practice. This includes, but not limited to, announcing your arrival to the senior staff member in charge, interacting effectively with Barwon Health staff for handover, escalation if required, documentation and all other matters relevant to providing safe and quality care to patients/residents.
Ongoing credentialing
Once credentialed, you will be required to maintain AHPRA registration or provide evidence of eligibility for membership of your professional association by submitting a stat dec annually here (self-regulated professionals) to remain credentialed.
If there is any change in your scope of practice or fitness to practice, you are required to notify Barwon Health via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Last Modified: Monday, 29 January 2024