More than 40,000 extra "experienced and qualified" health professionals are set to bolster .
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and national boards have announced a new sub-register that aims to fast-track the return of recently-departed health personnel.
The register will run for 12 months and cater to doctors, nurses, midwives and pharmacists who have stopped practising in the last three years so they can return to the COVID-19 frontline more quickly.
"We want more of our critical health practitioners available to work as part of the health system in responding to the pandemic," AHPRA chief executive Martin Fletcher said.
Only personnel who are properly qualified and suitable can return to the register.
Practitioners who have been subject to regulatory action in the past three years will not be allowed to re-register.
It will apply to personnel who previously held registration and left the register or moved to non-practising registration in the past three years, AHPRA said in a statement.
The body said it would contact more than 40,000 practitioners who meet the criteria to alert them that they will be added to the new sub-register, with those who do not wish to return to work able to opt-out.
It's expected the sub-register will be operational by 6 April.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
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