Accreditation practice pointer: The standards for general practices (6th edition) is coming in 2026

The RACGP Standards for general practices (6th edition) is scheduled to be published in 2026. 

The 6th edition promises to be more streamlined, relevant and adaptable for the diverse range of Australian general practices. This has been achieved, in part, by removing 32 Criteria from the 5th edition, and encouraging outcomes-focused and patient-centred care. There will also be new criteria focused on staff wellbeing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and environmental sustainability.

Furthermore, while the 5th edition had three modules, the new edition has five standards – four mandatory and one optional:

  • Foundations of general practice standard – focus on principles and structures for operation and management

  • Clinical governance standard – focus on systems to manage risk and protect safety

  • Patient participation standard – focus on prioritising patient needs, values and preferences

  • Continuous quality improvement standard – focus on continuous evaluation, monitoring and improvement of services

  • (Optional) Point-of-care testing standard – focus on systems to ensure point-of-care testing supports patient safety and high-quality care

The 6th edition will be evidence-based, referring to the following:

  • The Quintuple Aim for health care improvement

  • A comprehensive literature review of current evidence

  • Relevant content from the 5th edition

  • Department of Health and Aged Care Accreditation reviews and gap analyses

  • The National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards, the National Health and Climate Strategy and the joint statement, Working together to achieve sustainable high-quality health care in a changing climate.

  • The Principles of the International Society for Quality in Health Care International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua) against which the RACGP Standards are accredited to match international best practice

  • Consumer engagement and development of consumer expectations of accredited practices

  • Stakeholder feedback (via consultation and piloting), including the 5th edition scoping consultation with general practices (first round, Sep – Oct 2024)

The first draft has been developed with an initial round of consumer consultation. The Standards Committee, which comprises GPs, a representative general practice nurse, practice manager and consumer reviewed all feedback and recommendations received. 

Watch out for a second round of public consultation in the coming months. All GPs, practice owners, practice managers and staff will be encouraged to provide feedback.  

Keep informed about the development of the RACGP Standards for general practice, 6th edition, by subscribing to the practice standards newsletter here:  https://www.racgp.org.au/running-a-practice/practice-standards/standards-newsletter 

Questions and feedback about the RACGP Standards can be emailed to standards@racgp.org.au

Margot Schoonmaker