What evidence does an auditor or the regulator ask for under Ahpra shared Code of conduct 5.4?

Delegation records showing the delegate's competence was checked; Referral and handover letters or structured handover records with the clinical information passed on; Supervision arrangements for delegated tasks

Rules / Ahpra shared Code of conduct

Ahpra CodeAhpra shared Code of conductahpra-code-of-conduct--5-4-delegation-referral-and-handover

Requirement

Delegation, referral and handover

Ahpra shared Code of conduct 5.4, stated plainly and cited to the edition held, with the evidence an auditor or the regulator asks for, the common gaps, and a free worksheet to fill in.

Clause

Ahpra shared Code of conduct 5.4

Regulator

Ahpra and the National Boards

Edition held

Shared Code of conduct, June 2022, in effect from 29 June 2022

Checked current

30 September 2026, Ahpra code page read 30 September 2026: a review of the codes is under way, no revised version published

Who it applies to

Registered occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Not psychologists (the Psychology Board has its own code from 1 December 2025) and not speech pathologists (not registered under the National Law).

Every clause in the standards library

Ahpra shared Code of conduct on the standards library

Under review, not in force

A review of the shared code is under way; the June 2022 code stays in effect until a revised one is published.

5.4Delegation, referral and handoversource

Requirement, our statement of the clause

Good practice means the practitioner (a) takes reasonable steps to make sure anyone they delegate, refer or hand over to has the qualifications, experience, knowledge or skills for the care needed; (b) understands that when delegating they are not accountable for the delegate's decisions and actions but keep responsibility for the patient's overall management and for choosing to delegate; and (c) always hands on enough information, in time, about the patient and the treatment required so care can continue safely.

Evidence that typically shows this

Delegation records showing the delegate's competence was checked
Referral and handover letters or structured handover records with the clinical information passed on
Supervision arrangements for delegated tasks

Common gap to check

Tasks delegated to staff without verified competence
Verbal handover with no documented content
Referral letters lacking the history needed to continue care

Worksheet: what your practice holds, and where

Ref	Held (yes, partly, no, not applicable)	Where it is kept	Owner	Last reviewed	Next review
5.4

Download the worksheet (CSV)Print the worksheet (A4)

Completing this worksheet records what your practice holds and where. It does not make a practice compliant or ready for audit, and it is not legal advice.

Related requirements

Ahpra shared Code of conduct

See every requirement for your practice See the specimen practice