The RACGP has published its Standards for general practices (6th edition) marking the beginning of an important transition for general practice accreditation. The Standards and other associated resources produced by the College is available from the RACGP’s 6th edition Hub.
There’s no need to change everything overnight. Transition dates and assessment arrangements are still to be confirmed, and QPA will be with you throughout the process.
The changes at a glance:
- Four core standards replace the previous three-module structure, with an optional Point-of-Care Testing (PoCT) standard
- The four core standards contain 92 criteria: 89 required when applicable and three aspirational
- Criteria and sub-criteria replace the previous indicator-based structure. Consumer expectation statements are not accreditation requirements.
The main areas to prepare for:
- Leadership: Clearer mission, planning, governance and accountability, supported by governance and clinical risk registers
- Resiliance: Broader emergancy and business continuity planning, tested response systems and climate-risk resilience
- Workforce: More explicit induction, role appropriate training, competency, wellbeing and performance support
- Digital and AI: Digital health assessment, cyber incidence response, secure communication, AI govenance and consent where AI is used
- Clinical records: Digital clinical information systems, codable demographics, allergies and stronger documentation and follow-up expectations
- Consumers and CQI: Active consumer engagement, evidence of improvement, performance measures, coded-data QI and sustainability action
Start preparing now:
- Understand what has changed. To assist QPA practices to better understand these new standards and the relevant timeframes for their implementation, the recording of QPA’s 6th edition Standards – Striving for Excellence webinar, presented by Dr Paul Mara on Wednesday 16 September will be available from the Connect portal’s webinar section from Thursday 17 September. This and past webinar recordings are available exclusively for Connect portal authorised users to access on-demand anytime
- Register for QPA’s next public webinar scheduled for Tuesday 10th November 2026 about Building Quality – The Self Assessment
- Focus on what matters in your practice. QPA practices can access our expanded guide to the key changes, additional requirements and practical preparation priorities through the Connect portal, by typing ‘Key Changes’ in the resources section search field
- Prepare with confidence. QPA practices can speak to their QAM about the transition. If you are not currently accredited with QPA, contact us to learn more about our accreditation support program
- To stay across the latest QPA news, updates and resources, make sure you and your colleagues have signed up to our regular QPA e-newsletter
- Throughout 2027, QPA will step through the major areas of change in six focused webinar sessions. Each session will connect the requirements with practical examples to help you prepare with confidence. View QPA’s 2027 6th Edition Education Program Flyer here
- Stay up-to-date with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) latest advisories. The Commission, who oversees the National General Practice Accreditation Scheme, has published a preliminary advice regarding the new Standards, reiterating that general practices will continue to be assessed against the 5th edition until transitional arrangements to the 6th edition have been formalised with its stakeholders, including accrediting agencies. The Commission website also has a Safety and Quality Advice Centre for practices that have questions about the Standards or the assessment process for accreditation.
Over the coming months, QPA will continue to provide clear guidance, practical resources and education to help you understand what’s changing, what matters for your practice and how to prepare with confidence.