Consultation on proposed standards of competence and prescribed qualifications for nurse practitioner and registered nurse prescriber scopes of practice

Submissions close at 5:00 pm, Monday 7 September 2026.

We are seeking your views

The Nursing Council is seeking feedback on proposed standards of competence for nurse practitioners (NP) and registered nurse prescribers (RN prescribers). Alongside this, we are consulting on proposed changes to the prescribed qualifications for the NP and RN prescriber scopes.

The Nursing Council sets scopes of practice and standards under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (the Act). The principal purpose of the Act is to protect the health and safety of the public. The Nursing Council is responsible for fulfilling this purpose by ensuring nurses are fit and competent to practise their profession.

Following consultation in late 2025, the Nursing Council Board has approved a revised NP scope of practice, and a new RN prescriber scope of practice. Education standards have been approved subject to further consultation on prescribed qualifications for the scopes of practice and will be published later in the year.

You can read the previous consultation and response summary on our website.

Consultation documents

The consultation document gives a brief overview of what we are asking:

• proposed NP and RN prescriber standards of competence
• prescribed qualifications for the NP and RN prescriber scopes
• background documents and international reviews that provide more context

and how you can submit on the proposals.