Aon had the chance to speak to Tony Coles, CEO of Audiology Australia (AA). Read the interview below and find out about the valuable role AA play in supporting the industry, benefits of being a member and the upcoming 2023 conference.

Dr Tony Coles is currently Chief Executive Officer of Audiology Australia, a position he has held since June 2015. Prior to taking on the role at Audiology Australia, Tony was the CEO of the Australian Association of Gerontology. Tony’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the field of Sociology from the University of Tasmania. Tony is also a graduate of the Australian Public Service and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In addition to his position as CEO of Audiology Australia, Tony is a non-executive Director on the Board of the Shepherd Centre which provides early intervention services for deaf and hard of hearing children, and the founding Chair of the Hearing Health Sector Alliance.

Audiology Australia was founded in 1968 as the young and emerging profession began to grow. From humble beginnings and just a handful of members, Audiology Australia has grown to around 3,500 members who work in areas as diverse as adult rehabilitation, paediatrics, balance and vestibular disorders, tinnitus, cochlear mapping and auditory processing disorders. Audiologists also work across different settings including hospitals, community care and private practice, as well as research and education. As the peak professional body for audiologists in Australia, we provide professional development opportunities for members and set the professional and ethical standards of practice, as well as advocate for our members to strengthen the future of the profession. In doing so, we aim to ensure that audiologists are able to deliver the highest standards of contemporary hearing health care for all Australians.

What does AA offer to Audiologists coming into the industry (support, CPD, connect opportunities?)

Being a part of Audiology Australia helps members connect with over 3300 audiologists across Australia and overseas. Members receive broad professional representation, stay current on any advancements in the field and engage with industry leaders. There are opportunities to participate in a wide range of face to face and online educational and professional development events and workshops at a local and national level. There’s exclusive access to employment information, job vacancies and professional resources. Audiologists can gain the highest clinical certification in Australia through the Audiology Australia Accredited Audiologist program. Members receive complimentary access to International Journal of Audiology, Audiology Now quarterly magazine and CPD vouchers. There is ongoing support for members and free access to the ethics helpline.

What are the benefits of being a student member of AA – is there a membership fee for students?

Student members receive the same benefits as all other fully qualified audiologists. An exclusive annual event called “inspired’ is hosted for students and early career audiologists. There are annual scholarships and awards for students. Once students graduate, they can register for the clinical internship program to become an Accredited Audiologist which is the highest clinical certification in Australia for audiologists. There is no annual membership fee for students. There is a small one-time joining fee only.

What advocacy work does AA undertake?

Through its stakeholder meetings, submissions and position statements, Audiology Australia undertakes advocacy on behalf of its members to drive and shape the current and future policy direction of audiology. Audiology Australia also seeks to raise awareness within the Australian community of the importance of hearing health care and ways of preventing and treating hearing loss. Audiology Australia sets the professional and ethical standards for the audiology profession and so advocates and supports Audiology Australia’s members to practice contemporary, family, and person-centred hearing care to a high professional and ethical standard that fosters trust amongst those that need audiology services.

AA offer accreditation: What is required, what does it mean to have completed the accreditation, how can we find out more?

Audiology Australia offers accreditation as an Audiology Australia Accredited Audiologist – the gold standard of professional recognition in audiology. Being clinically certified to become an Audiology Australia Accredited Audiologist means being tested against and continuing to abide by a suite of policies aimed at ensuring audiologists provide services lawfully, safely and effectively and in the client’s best interests. This includes education and training requirements, which include completion of at least an accredited Australian Masters-level degree (or overseas equivalent) and our full-time one year internship program, abiding by our Code of Conduct in line with the National Code of Conduct for Health Care Workers, and undertaking continuing professional development. Completing the certification also means audiologists are eligible to provide hearing services under Medicare, the Hearing Services Program, NDIS and other government schemes. For members of the community, the Audiology Australia accreditation provides assurance that they are seeing a professionally qualified audiologist who is accredited by the peak representative body for audiologists in Australia. More information is available here: Audiology Australia Accredited Audiologist

What types of events/CPD opportunities do AA offer and how are they being offered (in person or virtual).

Audiology Australia offers both online and in person CPD events to support the diverse needs of Audiologists across the country. The calendar of events includes webinars, local chapter conferences as well as an annual national event.

What would you like to share about the 2023 national Conference?

The Audiology Australia 2023 Conference, ‘Reset. Reconnect. Reignite.’ will be held from Sunday 7 – Wednesday 10 May 2023 at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre. The conference will bring audiologists and other professionals together to forge a proactive and positive approach to the future, by sharing and expanding current knowledge, skills and expertise to meet the clinical and operational demands facing audiology.