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.
The Nurse Practitioners Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 will enable NPs in the ACT 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.
If the legislation is passed in the Legislative Assembly, the ACT will be the first jurisdiction in Australia to enable endorsed NPs this expanded scope, providing more comprehensive end of life care.
“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,” said ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith.
