Osteopathy Board of Australia - Capabilities for osteopathic practice
Look up a health practitioner

Close

Check if your health practitioner is qualified, registered and their current registration status
Practitioners
Profession
Location
Please enter a search term
Help & Tips

Capabilities for osteopathic practice

What are the capabilities used for?

The Osteopathy Board of Australia (the Board) expects all osteopaths to understand and apply the Capabilities for osteopathic practice (2019) in their practice.

The capabilities outline the attributes, knowledge and skills all osteopaths should show to practise safely and ethically.

The capabilities apply to osteopaths working across all practice settings, including research, education, management and other roles not involving direct contact with clients.

The 2019 capabilities specifically acknowledge the need for osteopaths to enhance their individual and institutional knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies needed to deliver optimal health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as determined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, families and communities.

The 2019 capabilities are organised into seven integrated core roles: osteopath, professional and ethical practitioner, communicator, critical reflective practitioner and lifelong learner, educator and health promotor, collaborative practitioner, and leader and manager. Each of the seven practice capabilities are described at three levels: role definition, key capabilities and enabling component.

How can I apply the capabilities to my practice?

Safe and competent osteopathic practice can be shown through the use, reflection and application of the capabilities in all fields of osteopathy practice.

They can be used:

  • in the development of osteopathy curricula for entry-level programs of study by education institutions
  • to assess osteopathy student and new graduate performance
  • to assess osteopaths educated overseas seeking registration in Australia
  • to assess osteopaths returning to work after breaks in service
  • as part of professional conduct matters, and
  • to communicate to consumers, employers, insurance companies and other stakeholders the level of competence expected of osteopaths.

Resources for osteopaths

The resources below are designed to help you to easily understand and apply the capabilities to your osteopathy practice.

 
 
Page reviewed 2/12/2019
Look up a practitioner