Table 4 Weakness of the assessment processes

· Consistency across assessment sites – candidates share information on perceived easier assessment and this results in application drift

· Limited sampling – through snapshot assessments ‘you can only sample a certain amount in what we are looking at whether it’s the skills, domains, the presenting clinical conditions, whatever’

· Availability of venues – limited availability of high demand venues affects the efficient running of the examination

· Recruitment of real patients – although patients are recruited in advance not all present for the examination

· Lengthy process – the current process was lengthy for applicants

· Inadequate communication to candidates – need to clarify requirements and expectations to candidates

· Resource intensive – an individualised process necessarily involves a high level of work

· Limited assessment of clinical skills - no evidence required of the candidate interacting with clients

· Lack of a bridging program – no specific programs to assist candidates develop their expertise

· Limited examination preparation – candidates have no opportunity to prepare for the written examination and this especially disadvantages experienced practitioners who have been out of the education environment for some time. Candidates who are in Australia waiting for the examination have no opportunity to practise their skills

· Lack of information on performance of overseas-trained practitioners – no feedback on critical areas that overseas-trained professionals struggle with in practice to inform examination content

· No professional body membership required – inability to monitor professionals or those who were assessed in the past

· Relevance of accredited courses – courses need to be regularly reviewed, especially with professions in constant change