Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association (AOPA)

AOPA runs the skills assessment through the same two-stage Competency Assessment pathway it uses for certification of practitioners with non-accredited qualifications, so a positive outcome doubles as eligibility for AOPA membership: the fee structure states that a practitioner with a positive Skills Assessment outcome is not required to pay further application or assessment fees to take up Full Certification. Applications begin with an online form, after which certified hard copies of the tertiary qualification and transcript, a CV on the AOPA CV Template, English test results where required and the home-country certification certificate are posted to AOPA.

The cost is fixed for a year at a time in the Competency Assessment Fee Structure, which charges an application fee and then each of the two stages separately. There are no additional fees for resubmitting documentation or responding to requests for further documents.

Both stages can be appealed. An appeal must state the grounds relied on, for example that the published procedures were not followed, that there is proof of bias, or that documents have since become available that would significantly alter the outcome, and is decided by the Admission Appeals Committee, which the applicant may address in person, by teleconference or in writing, with a support person or legal representative permitted.