Audiology Australia (AudA) and the Australian College of Audiology (ACAud) collaborated in 2018 on the development of position papers to guide their members on the appropriate use of titles and qualifications in line with the Scope of Practice for audiologists and audiometrists (the Scope of Practice), the Code of Conduct for audiologists and audiometrists (the Code of Conduct), and the National Code of Conduct for Health Care Workers.  This collaboration was in response to a number of complaints to the Ethics Review Committees (ERCs) regarding members who were using titles and qualifications in ways that were potential breaches of the Code of Conduct.

The AudA and ACAud position papers on the use of titles and qualifications by their members state that:

• Members must adhere to the definitions of “audiologist” and “audiometrist” in the Scope of Practice for audiologists and audiometrists when describing the professions/qualifications.
• Members who are entitled to use the title “Doctor” or “Dr” must specify in their post-nominals (after their name) the degree and area of study that allows them to use this title to avoid confusion with qualified medical practitioners and other health practitioners entitled to use the title “Doctor” or “Dr”.

The position papers provide further detailed guidance on how to apply these requirements and the rationale behind them.