Share your feedback on the general practice standards
01 Sep 2025
RACGP opens consultation on new general practice Standards
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has released the second draft of the sixth edition of its Standards for general practices, and is inviting the public to provide feedback.
Dr Louise Acland, Chair of the RACGP Expert Committee – Standards for General Practices, says the goal is simple: to help practices deliver safe, high-quality care that continues to improve over time.
“The only constant in life is change,” she said. “And in healthcare, change is especially important.”
What’s new in the sixth edition?
While much of the content from the fifth edition remains, the sixth edition has been restructured to make it easier to use and more outcomes-focused.
The new structure includes:
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Consumer expectation statements – outlining what patients should expect from an accredited practice
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Criteria and sub-criteria – practical steps or evidence practices must show
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Explanatory notes – why the criteria matter and how practices can meet them
The Standards have also been simplified, with 31 fewer mandatory criteria than before.
New focus areas
The sixth edition introduces several new topics across the Standards:
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Foundations of practice: artificial intelligence, digital health technologies, environmental sustainability, practice planning, and team culture
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Clinical governance: safer use of digital information systems, better record-keeping, preventing antibiotic overuse, and updated sterilisation practices
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Patient participation: clearer communication, stronger informed consent (including for procedures and third-party presence), support when the practice is closed, and more consumer engagement
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Continuous quality improvement: at least one clinical improvement activity each year (using coded clinical data), plus sustainability initiatives
Have your say
Public consultation and piloting of the draft will run for one month from 1 September.
The RACGP is keen to hear if anything is missing, if the guidance is easy to understand, and whether the structure works for practices.
“All feedback is carefully reviewed,” Dr Acland said. “Your input will help shape the future of general practice care in Australia.”
The final version of the sixth edition Standards is expected to be published in early 2026.
Source:Racgp