The ACT Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen the role of nurse practitioners in the Territory's health system.
New legislation has been introduced to give nurse practitioners, endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, the legal practice authority to issue cause of death certificates and witness non-written health directions.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the Nurse Practitioners Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 will allow nurse practitioners to work to their full scope of practice, recognising their advanced training and expertise – especially those who work in hospice, palliative care, or residential aged care facilities.
"Nurse practitioners are highly qualified clinicians who play a vital role in delivering person-centred care across our community. These reforms will ensure their skills are fully utilised, improving access to timely, high-quality healthcare for Canberrans," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
"Enabling the legal practice authority for nurse practitioners to issue cause of death certificates, where they were responsible for the care of the person and within 48 hours of the person's death supports families during a difficult time and helps them to finalise legal affairs more quickly.
"Where it isn't possible or appropriate for a nurse practitioner to play this role, and the death does not need to be referred to the Coroner, a doctor will still be required to issue the cause of death certificate. However, this change removes the need for a doctor's involvement where a nurse practitioner has the capacity to undertake this role.
"Should the legislation pass the Legislative Assembly, the ACT would be the first jurisdiction in Australia to enable nurse practitioners to do this, which will mean they are able to provide even more comprehensive end of life care."
The reforms will also allow nurse practitioners to witness non-written health directions, alongside doctors and other health professionals.
"Health directions are an important way for people to ensure their wishes are respected when they can't communicate them directly. Expanding the role of nurse practitioners in witnessing these directions will make the process more accessible and efficient.
"This change would enable a non-written health direction to be witnessed by two health professionals, as long as one of those health professionals is either a doctor or a nurse practitioner."
Recent legislation has also enabled nurse practitioners to legally undertake key roles in the voluntary assisted dying process and to prescribe medical termination of pregnancy in accordance with the Therapeutic Goods Administration changes.
"Further work is underway to enable nurse practitioners to conduct fitness to drive medical assessments and complete documentation such as work capacity certificates for initial Workers' Compensation claims," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
"I look forward to continuing the ACT's work to expand scope of practice for a range of health professionals to ensure their skills can be used to the greatest benefit of the community."
