Australian professional framework
A nationally consistent approach to standards, accountability and public protection for behaviour analysis in Australia.
Why self-regulation matters
A profession taking responsibility
Professional self-regulation is how a profession takes responsibility for setting standards, monitoring practice, and responding to concerns in order to protect the public and maintain trust.
Why it matters
Professional self-regulation plays a critical role in safeguarding the quality of services delivered to individuals, families, and communities.
Consistent expectations help protect the quality of services delivered to individuals, families and communities.
In the absence of statutory registration, oversight gives the public confidence in the services they receive.
Practitioners gain clarity about their scope of practice and ethical responsibilities in the Australian context.
For practitioners, self-regulation provides clarity about professional identity, scope of practice, and ethical responsibilities within the Australian context.
An Australian pathway
Historically, Australian behaviour analysts relied on certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Since 1998, the BACB has certified behaviour analysts internationally and established education and ethical standards for applied behaviour analysis. Its certification is internationally recognised within the field.
Australian practitioners faced ongoing challenges with recognition of BACB certification by funding bodies and government agencies. Despite practitioner qualifications and experience, this limited professional roles, service delivery options, and access to funding for behaviour analytic services.
In December 2019, the BACB announced changes to its international certification model, including limiting certification to select countries. Certification remains available in Australia, but the pathway’s long-term availability is uncertain. These developments highlighted the need for an Australian-based professional self-regulation system.
On 15 August 2022, ABA Australia commenced the regulation and certification of behaviour analysts through a national certification framework tailored to the Australian context.
ABA Australia continues to strengthen its certification and self-regulation systems. They support practitioner competence and accountability, inform advocacy with government and sector stakeholders, and promote accurate understanding of behaviour analysis—shaping a profession suited to Australian service systems, regulatory environments, and community expectations.
Professional Self-Regulation Framework
Five connected functions create a consistent system for competence, transparency, accountability and public trust.
Rigorous standards for certification, professional competence and ongoing development.
Clear, Australian-based routes for individuals to become certified behaviour analysts.
Professional practice expectations aligned with Australian service systems and communities.
A transparent record of certified practitioners that supports public accountability.
Clear processes for responding to concerns about professional conduct.
Protecting the public
Protecting the safety and rights of service users is central to ABA Australia’s approach to professional self-regulation.
By maintaining clear standards and oversight processes, ABA Australia supports high-quality practice while promoting trust in behaviour analysis as a profession.
Our framework emphasises
Professional responsibility and membership
ABA Australia members and certificants agree to uphold the organisation’s professional and ethical standards as part of their professional responsibilities.
Through participation in professional self-regulation, members contribute to a nationally consistent system that supports the integrity, recognition, and development of behaviour analysis in Australia.
ABA Australia’s national regulation position
A historical statement documenting why ABA Australia selected professional self-regulation as the preferred pathway for national regulation.
Introduction
The Association for Behaviour Analysis Australia was founded in 2012, with memberships opening in January 2014. ABA Australia supports the development and advancement of behaviour analysis and promotes its theoretical, experimental, and applied forms across a broad range of Australian contexts.
The organisation’s objectives connect professional development, public understanding, research, evidence-based practice, and international representation.
Represent Australia within the international behaviour analytic community
Empower clinicians to use evidence-based practices
Improve public, government, and industry understanding of behaviour analysis and its importance to society
Increase professional knowledge and skills through courses, conferences, and workshops
Provide a forum for the interchange of ideas and knowledge within behaviour analysis
Encourage basic and applied research that advances Australia’s knowledge base
Promote BACB certification across behaviour analysts
A changing certification landscape
Promotion of Behavior Analyst Certification Board certification had long been a major focus. On 30 December 2019, the US-based BACB announced changes that were expected to end examinations in Australia from 2023. ABA Australia applied for certification to continue and awaited the outcome.
This shift, together with the growing number of Australian professionals, made regulation of behaviour analysis and protection of the title “behaviour analyst” a priority.
Need for national regulation
An unregulated field created challenges for public understanding and title protection. ABA Australia identified five outcomes national regulation should deliver.
National regulation models
A working group researched models that could promote professionalism, maintain a strong alliance with science, and protect consumers and practitioners.
National Scheme
The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme provides single registration, title protection, conduct oversight, and public safeguards for regulated health professions across Australia.
This pathway required state, territory, and federal legislation, substantial time and cost, and faced strong competition from other established professions seeking inclusion.
Preferred model
Professionals develop, oversee, and monitor compliance with standards and a code of ethics without requiring government legislation. This allows a profession to define safe practice, complaints processes, and ethical expectations.
The model provides control, transparency, cost-effectiveness, and consumer confidence. Its key limitation is voluntary participation, meaning safeguards cannot be assured for practitioners who do not join.
ABA Australia’s position
ABA Australia is committed to pursuing professional self-regulation because it fits the needs of behaviour analysts in Australia and supports a healthy profession with standards protecting both the public and professionals.
Next steps and participation
Membership criteria would include education qualifications and commitments to ethical practice and professional standards.
Share this information with your network to spread the word about the project.
The statement encouraged Australian behaviour analysts to support the change and join voluntary registration once established.
18 June 2020
President Elect
National professional standards
NASRHP provides self-regulating health professions with a robust framework for accrediting tertiary programs, credentialing practitioners, and advocating for member organisations.
A robust framework for accrediting tertiary programs.
Strong, consistent processes supporting health practitioner credentials.
A collective voice representing NASRHP member organisations.
Benchmark standards
Australian peak bodies must demonstrate compliance with benchmark standards for regulating and accrediting practitioners. These standards are closely modelled on those of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
ABA Australia milestone
ABA Australia became a Qualifying Member of NASRHP in September 2023.
Reference
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2022). BACB certificant data. Retrieved from https://www.bacb.com/BACB-certificant-data
