Allied Health Assistants' National Association Ltd

Six AHA workforce problems we are still trying to solve

05 August 2026

The Allied Health Assistant workforce has changed enormously over recent decades. AHAs are now working across hospitals, rehabilitation, community health, aged care, disability and other settings. They support a growing range of allied health services and, in many workplaces, are indispensable members of the team. And yet, many of the problems identified in research on the AHA workforce years ago will still sound very familiar to AHAs today.

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Making History: Xavier Lyons Named Inaugural AHANA Award Winner and First UniSQ Allied Health Graduate

23 July 2026

On Monday 8 June, Xavier Lyons officially became the very first graduate of the program at UniSQ’s Toowoomba graduation ceremony. To top off the milestone, he was also presented with the inaugural Allied Health Assistants' National Association (AHANA) Award for Academic Excellence in Allied Health, co-presented by AHANA and UniSQ.

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Rural allied health has a retention problem - AHAs need to be part of the solution

22 July 2026

A major new Australian study has put some hard numbers around a problem rural and regional health services know only too well: recruiting allied health workers is difficult, but keeping them may be even harder.

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Who Is Responsible For The Outcomes Of Care In A Delegated Workforce Model?

03 July 2026

One of the most common concerns that allied health professionals raise about employing Allied Health Assistants (AHA) is a lack of clarity around who is responsible if things go wrong. In an increasingly risk-averse and litigious society, this is understandable. As a result, however, many allied health professionals (and other health professionals) choose not to delegate work that could or should be done by other workers. At a time of enormous workforce shortages, the failure to fully and efficiently delegate care can result in longer patient waiting times and reduced overall access to health services.

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A Day in the Life of a Mobile Allied Health Assistant - Rhiannon Hay

22 June 2026

Ever wondered what a typical day looks like for a mobile Allied Health Assistant? For AHANA member Rhiannon Hay, every day is different—working across community and home-based settings, supporting clients through personalised therapy programs that focus on mobility, strength, balance, independence, and quality of life.

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3 Tips for High-Impact Telehealth Sessions

08 May 2026

Increasingly, Allied Health Assistants are helping participants stay connected to therapy goals in practical, flexible ways. Whether you are supporting someone in a city, regional town, or rural area, telehealth can be a valuable way to keep momentum going when in-person sessions are not possible or not the best fit.

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Can You Employ an Allied Health Assistant Without Formal Qualifications?

07 May 2026

The short answer is yes—but there are important responsibilities and safeguards that every employer and practitioner needs to understand. This article explains how Allied Health Assistants (AHAs) fit within the current Australian workforce, what AHANA does, and how to ensure safe, high-quality practice when employing or working as an AHA.

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A Day in the Life of an AHA: Sub-acute Inpatient Rehabilitation working under Physiotherapy

30 April 2026

Andrew Richardson is a practising Allied Health Assistant who balances sub-acute rehabilitation with a senior leadership role as a Profession Lead for Canberra Health Services. Operating at the intersection of hands-on patient therapy and workforce governance, he plays a pivotal role in advocating for the Allied Health Assistant workforce across ACT.

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A Day in the Life of a Mobile AHA

15 April 2026

Nurturing Hands Allied Health P/L founder Deb Agnew-Riddell outlines what a typical day of a mobile Allied Health Assistant looks like.

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Are You Getting the Delegation You Deserve?

14 April 2026

New research maps out what good delegation actually looks like — and what it means for AHAs, employers and supervisors.

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Q&A With AHANA Committee Member Skye Strange

08 April 2026

Skye Strange is an Allied Health Assistant and the founder of Therapy 2 Thrive Solutions. She talks about her decade-long journey as an Allied Health Assistant, and her work leading a multidisciplinary team. She also discusses her efforts as an AHANA committee member, advocating for accessible professional development, peer support, and greater recognition for AHAs.

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Why AHAs are a big part of the enabling health and care systems Australia needs, now and in the future

02 April 2026

Your everyday experience may be more influential than you think. Members know AHANA exists to support Allied Health Assistants (AHAs), and that we engage government and industry to advocate for AHAs professionally.

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What Does “Supervision” Actually Mean in Allied Health Assistance?

19 August 2026

This session explores what supervision means in practice for Allied Health Assistants, including roles, responsibilities, communication, and accountability. It will help clarify how effective supervision supports safe, confident, and well-governed AHA practice.

Career Pathways for AHAs: Is This a Job or a Profession?

09 September 2026

This session explores how Allied Health Assistant roles are developing into clear career pathways, and what it means to view AHA work as more than just a job. It will look at professional identity, progression opportunities, and the value AHAs bring to the workforce.

Workplace Dynamics: Being part of a team

17 September 2026

A relaxed, peer-led conversation for Allied Health Assistants exploring workplace dynamics and what it means to be part of a team, with a focus on sharing experiences and practical insights from the AHA role.

Allied Health Assistants Without Borders: Professional Identity, Networks and Recognition

30 September 2026

Allied Health Assistants Without Borders is a one-hour international roundtable hosted by AHANA. The session offers an international perspective on challenges in professional identity, recognition, education, and career pathways for AHA and support workforces. Through short speaker insights and a facilitated discussion, participants will examine what is needed to strengthen the workforce and build meaningful international connections, with opportunities for ongoing collaboration through future global sessions.