This presentation will provide a snapshot of some of the Australasian Sonographers Association's current projects that aim to strengthen and modernise clinical practice for sonographers across Australia and New Zealand.

This session will highlight progress on new models of training designed to respond to the needs of both the current and emerging workforce, along with updates on the ASA Career Framework, which is shaping clearer opportunities for capability development and advanced practice.

The Australasian Sonographers Association Strategic Plan outlines a comprehensive strategy to advance the sonography profession and strengthen its impact on healthcare outcomes. Guided by its vision of “a healthier world through sonographer expertise,” the plan is structured around five strategic pillars, which will be the feature of this presentation.
First, ASA prioritises advocacy and professional recognition, positioning sonographers as the principal providers of diagnostic ultrasound. This includes influencing policy, progressing regulation, and addressing workforce challenges.
Second, the plan focuses on quality and standards, with initiatives to develop clinical guidelines, support evidence-based practice, and expand research capability. Investment in research grants, a career framework, and professional standards underpins this pillar.
Third, ASA emphasises lifelong learning by expanding accessible continuing professional development (CPD), fostering inclusive education pathways, and delivering a high-quality international conference and events program.
Fourth, the organisation seeks to strengthen its leadership role in ultrasound through strategic partnerships (both nationally and internationally), public awareness initiatives, and expansion into under-serviced areas.
Finally, organisational excellence is a core enabler, with a focus on strong governance, financial sustainability, workforce culture, and member engagement. Key initiatives include improving systems, enhancing the member experience, and maintaining growth.
Overall, the plan reflects a balanced approach to advocacy, education, research, partnerships, and internal capability, positioning ASA as the leading voice and trusted authority in medical ultrasound across Australia and New Zealand.

Introduction: In the United States, sonographers practice within a framework shaped by professional organizations, national certification bodies, and educational accreditation rather than uniform governmental licensure. This model fosters flexibility in clinical roles but also creates variability in role definition, accountability, and practice expectations that are relevant to international discussions on professional standards.
Methods: A policy and literature review was conducted of U.S. scope-of-practice statements, clinical standards, and regulatory frameworks from national professional organizations, accrediting agencies, and credentialing bodies. Themes related to role definition, clinical governance, education, and practice accountability were identified and synthesized to inform international comparison.
Results: The U.S. model demonstrates that the scope of practice is primarily profession-defined with consensus-based role delineations; professional certification reinforces entry-level competencies and specialty knowledge. Accreditation standards align educational outcomes with clinical expectations, and clinical policies operationalize practice boundaries at the point of care. Variability in advanced roles exists across institutions and is shaped by local policy, interprofessional collaboration, and education pathways.
Conclusion: A non-licensure model grounded in professional guidance, accreditation, and certification can sustain high clinical standards, accountability, and patient safety. However, clarity in scope definition and consistent alignment between education and clinical expectations remain essential to professional credibility and workforce development.
Take-home message:
Well-defined scope of practice and robust clinical standards — supported by education and credentialing — enable safe and effective sonography practice even in settings without universal licensure.

The policy environment for sonography across Australia and New Zealand is evolving, particularly in relation to workforce and regulation. These changes are influencing how the profession is recognised, supported and positioned within the broader health system.

This session provides an update on the ASA’s current policy and advocacy priorities and initiatives, highlighting what is new, what is changing and what is on the horizon. Drawing on ongoing engagement with government, regulators and key stakeholders, it will outline recent developments, emerging issues and areas of focus.

Current reform discussions are placing increasing attention on workforce supply, distribution and sustainability alongside evolving approaches to regulation and professional recognition. These shifts are being shaped by broader health system pressures and have implications for education pathways, scope of practice and models of care.

This session will help attendees understand what is changing, why it matters and what it may mean for the future of the profession and day to day practice.