Changes to Accreditation of Training Settings
The RACP is aligning its accreditation processes with new AMC Model Standards — creating a more consistent, transparent and fair approach for all training settings across Australia and New Zealand.
Why is accreditation changing?
In 2023, the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman (NHPO) released Processes for Progress — a roadmap for greater transparency and accountability in specialist medical training site accreditation. The report made a series of recommendations to improve how training settings are accredited across all 16 specialist medical colleges.
The Australian Medical Council (AMC) has been working collaboratively with specialist medical colleges and jurisdictional health departments on the implementation of Ministerial Policy Direction 2023-01 and the recommendations contained in the NHPO report. View the key messages of a standardised approach to accreditation of specialist medical training settings.
The NHPO report aimed to increase consistency in accreditation, improve transparency for health services, build confidence in the system, foster collaboration between colleges and health services, and improve data and reporting about accreditation.
In response, Australian Health Ministers and the Medical Council of New Zealand have endorsed the Model Standards, which all Medical Colleges — including the RACP — are required to adopt. The RACP is implementing these for both Basic and Advanced Training Programs across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
The new standards —What's changing
The Model Standards were developed to address variations in how specialist medical colleges operationalise accreditation standards, and to set clear expectations for accreditation assessment processes. The RACP is implementing these standards across both its Basic and Advanced Training Programs.
These standards support a uniform framework for accreditation decisions while allowing colleges to incorporate College Specific Requirements (CSRs) to reflect the unique program needs of each specialty.
Domains
The Model Standards include four key domains.
Training takes place in a learning environment that supports trainee health and welfare.
- Clear governance structures support the delivery of effective education and training
- Trainees receive appropriate and effective supervision
- Trainees are supported in delivering quality patient care, including culturally safe care
- Trainees are provided with the appropriate depth, volume and variety of clinical and other learning experiences
- Learning opportunities are transparent, equitable and appropriate for the level of training
- Trainees have access to appropriate educational resources and facilities
- Trainees have access to appropriate clinical equipment
When the new standards apply
Implementation is being phased across Basic Training and Advanced Training programs. The standards that apply to your setting depend on when your accreditation renewal falls.
New Model Standards
View standards (PDF)
Basic Training
Training Settings undergoing Accreditation for Basic Training in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand from 2027 onwards will be assessed under the new Model Standards (supplemented by RACP Basic Training College Specific Requirements).
View Basic Training standards (PDF)
Advanced Training
Training Settings undergoing accreditation for Advanced Training in General and Acute Care Medicine in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand will be assessed under the new Model standards from 2027 onwards (supplemented by RACP Advanced Training General and Acute Care Medicine College Specific Requirements).
All other Advanced Training programs will continue to be assessed under their existing standards.
Roll out
New Model Standards will be rolled out for all remaining Advanced Training Programs. Exact timelines for each program are to be confirmed.
What this means for training settings
The shift to AMC Model Standards introduces several important changes to how accreditation decisions are made and communicated.
Key changes
1
Settings will be assessed against a common set of model standards, supplemented by college-specific requirements where needed.
2
Procedural fairness is embedded in the process — training settings will have the right to respond to draft accreditation findings before a final decision is made.
3
A
risk-based framework will be used for accreditation decision-making, ensuring decisions are proportionate and based on risk.
4
Common terminology across colleges as prescribed in the
AMC Model procedures (DOC) for accreditation decisions and outcomes, providing clarity for health services on what their accreditation status means.