CPD Default and Auditing

CPD Default

At the end of the triennium of each sonographer , 10% of ALL sonographers on the register, no matter which CPD program they utilise, will be randomly selected for audit.
If a Sonographer does not comply with the CPD requirements, a letter will be sent via the email address provided informing the Sonographer of their CPD Default and the default obligations to remain on the Register. You will be allowed a short time to provide sufficient documentation of relevant CPD activities complete your obligation for CPD compliance.

If you are unable to provide sufficient documentation to meet the minimum CPD requirements, you will be notified that you are placed in CPD Default – the requirements of this are listed below.

If the ASAR receives no correspondence within the specified time frame, the Sonographer’s name will then be removed from the Register and Medicare Australia notified accordingly.

CPD programs

The Sonographer who has been placed into CPD default must complete an ASAR CPD Default form with a fee of AUD $170 including GST and forward to the ASAR Secretariat, instead of the usual annual subscription.

Once processed you will be required to participate in CPD under the following conditions:

• For the following three years, the Sonographer must pay an annual fee of AUD $170 including GST to remain on the Register
• The Sonographer must participate in the ASAR CPD program and submit 30 CPD credits to ASAR within each 12-month period for a total of 36 months
• A CPD audit will be conducted at the end of each 12-month period
• The first 12-month period will begin on the first of January of the year following your CPD defaulted triennium

Following the final CPD audit, successful completion of this 36-month period will result in the Sonographer being returned to regular accredited Sonographer status.

Defaulting while in CPD Default

If at any point in this 36-month period the Sonographer does not comply with the outlined CPD and/or fee requirements, a letter will be sent via the email address you have provided advising the Sonographer that their name will be removed from the Register and Medicare Australia will be notified of the removal.

In this case, the Sonographer may only return to the Register via 2 methods:

• Category 2 by enrolling in an ASAR accredited qualification and relevant fees will apply, or
• Where the Sonographer already holds an ASAR approved qualification, the Sonographer may return to the Register following successful completion of an ASAR accredited re-entry program, (the relevant fees will be applied)

Following the final CPD audit, successful completion of this 36-month period will result in the Sonographer being returned to regular accredited Sonographer status.

Appeals

CPD Audit

All Accredited Medical Sonographers on the ASAR registry must participate in an ASAR recognised Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program to remain on the register. To monitor compliance with this CPD requirement, ASAR undertakes a random audit of 10% of all registered sonographers whose triennium is ending in any given year, regardless of their nominated CPD program.

It is the responsibility of the individual Sonographer to maintain an accurate record of their CPD activities. Each Sonographer must retain their original CPD documents that must be kept for 3 months following the completion of a triennium to allow ASAR time to perform audits as required. Under no circumstances should original documents be sent to ASAR.

If a Sonographer is unable to provide verifiable documentation of CPD activity that satisfies the requirements of the ASAR CPD program, and therefore does not meet the 60 point requirement for that triennium, this individual will be placed in CPD default.

The CPD Default program replaces a usual triennium with additional CPD requirements – compliance with the CPD default program requires annually additional CPD requirements and is audited at the completion of EVERY year. Once the sonographer in the CPD default program successfully completes this program, they revert to a normal triennium and the usual CPD requirements.

If a sonographer who has been placed in the CPD Default program fails to complete the CPD requirements for any of the 3 years of that program, they will be provided with an opportunity to provide CPD evidence, but if they cannot, this individual will be removed from the ASAR Register.

The Sonographer will be notified in writing that CPD default has occurred and Medicare Australia will be notified of the individual’s removal from the Register.

A Sonographer who has been removed from the Register due to CPD default can elect to re-apply to the ASAR Register in accordance with the Return to Register following CPD default removal procedures.

PLEASE NOTE: Once selected for audit, if you deactivate during this period, you will still be required to satisfy your CPD requirements or you will be placed in CPD Default.

Key Audit Dates

CPD Default Program

Registrants currently in the CPD Default Program will all be audited and must have their CPD points and activities uploaded by 31 December, as per the conditions of the ASAR CPD Default Program.

Audit Appeals

Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Registry may appeal the decision in accordance with the processes set out in the ASAR Constitution.