Progress Update - August 2025
Implementation progress
This year, the Taskforce has focused on activities aimed at strengthening governance, improving DCE examiner training, and enhancing the candidate experience. All actions have been delivered in collaboration with relevant committees and guided by member feedback gathered through targeted briefings and consultation.
The table below outlines progress against selected recommendations as of August 2025. It highlights specific actions and recent developments, demonstrating the College’s commitment to delivering reforms in a coordinated, transparent, and timely manner.
Table 1. Progress update on implementation activities related to the 2025 DCE
| Recommendation |
Actions |
Progress as of
30 June 2025 |
|
1. Key principles to be adopted
|
Align policies and processes with four key principles; gather feedback via surveys; publish annual post-exam reports to enhance transparency.
|
|
|
3. Candidate information and Q&A sessions
|
Develop annual sessions, update FAQs, gather feedback via surveys, and provide comprehensive exam information
|
|
|
4. Training for examiners
|
Review and align annual training and calibration across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
|
Examiner calibration sessions, training videos, and slide decks were reviewed as part of the established annual review process.
|
|
5. Unconscious Bias and Cultural Awareness training
|
Partner with expert provider to deliver training to all examiners annually.
|
-
The RACP partnered with Oro Nuku Ltd to deliver 11 online training sessions for local and provisional examiners in Australia; and in-person sessions for National Examining Panel (NEP) members in both countries.
-
Training completion rate reached 74% in 2025.
|
|
6. Manuals for examiners
|
Review Examiner Manual to reflect best practice and ensure transparency by sharing with trainees.
|
|
|
8. Attendance of College Moderators
|
Pilot Quality Assurance Leads (QALs)
|
|
|
9. Examiners Conflicts of Interest Policy and Register
|
Assess the feasibility of video and audio recordings and benchmark them against other colleges.
|
|
|
10. Case complexity
|
Standardise case complexity guidelines and incorporate into DSS; deliver examiner training.
|
|
|
11. Clinical examination changes
|
Assess the feasibility of video and audio recordings and benchmark them against other colleges.
|
|
|
12. Improved feedback to candidates
|
Review and refine feedback processes; improve calibration and examiner training.
|
|
|
15. Review of examination outcome in complaints process
|
Consult legal and stakeholder groups to clarify complaints process while maintaining exam result integrity. |
- The Reconsideration, Review and Appeals Process By-law was updated, and changes came into effect on 2 May 2025. Changes included: streamlined progression from Reconsideration to Appeal, creation of a dedicated Review Body, fee reductions, full refunds for successful Appeals, and confirmation that exam results remain final.
|
|
16. Simplification of complaints process
|
Simplify policies, improve communication, and assess inclusion of data in annual reporting. |
- The Complaint Management Policy is under review. Improved information on the complaints processes relevant to the DCE was published on 12 May 2025.
|
New initiatives
As part of the College’s continued commitment to strengthening examinations, several new initiatives were implemented to enhance candidate support, examiner preparation and quality assurance.
Candidate Support Officers (CSOs)
The Candidate Support Officer (CSO) role was introduced as a pilot in Australia in 2025, in response to trainee feedback. The aim was to enhance support and foster a more person-centred environment on exam day.
Modelled on the established approach in Aotearoa New Zealand, CSOs provided in-person support to candidates, coordinated logistics with Local Examination Organisers and RACP staff, and helped ensure candidates were aware of support resources. The role applied only on exam day and was guided by the College’s Special Consideration for Assessment and Complaint Management policies.
Table 2. Candidate Support Officer (CSO) Appointment by Division and Location
| Location |
Division |
Total number of sites |
Number of CSOs appointed |
% |
| Australia |
Paediatrics &
Child Health |
28 |
28 |
100 |
| Adult Medicine |
76 |
62 |
82 |
| New Zealand |
Paediatrics &
Child Health |
5 |
5 |
100 |
| Adult Medicine |
4 |
4 |
100 |
|
Total
|
113 |
99 |
95 |
The pilot evaluation is underway and will inform plans to expand and enhance this role in 2026.
Quality Assurance Leads (QALs)
Quality Assurance Leads (QALs) were piloted at two Adult Medicine examination centres in Australia and two in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2025, following a recommendation to have senior College representatives onsite to support the consistent application of quality assurance standards.
In this observational role, QALs observed selected elements of the examination to identify examples of good practice and areas for improvement. Observations focused on procedural and operational aspects, aligned with the Standards for RACP Assessment Programs and the Examiner Manual. QALs did not assess candidates, evaluate examiners, or intervene in the conduct of the exam.
The role was designed to strengthen quality assurance and support peer-to-peer learning across sites. Findings will be summarised in a report to the Clinical Examination Committees and Subcommittees in Q3 2025 and will inform future calibration and quality improvement activities.
The pilot will be evaluated prior to potential expansion to include Paediatrics & Child Health in 2026.
Candidate information sessions
In April and May 2025, the Taskforce delivered seven online candidate information sessions across both divisions and countries. These optional sessions provided practical guidance on preparing for the DCE and covered key topics, including what to expect on the day, available wellbeing and support resources, and new initiatives to enhance the safety and experience of candidates, examiners, and patients.
A total of 249 candidates attended. Each session included a live Q&A to clarify information and address candidate questions.
Members of the Examination Committees and Subcommittees also attended to support candidate engagement. All questions were compiled into a new Frequently Asked Questions guide, now published on the RACP website.
Based on positive feedback from candidates, Trainees’ Committees and examiners, these information sessions will now form part of the College’s annual service offering. Session content and the FAQ resource will be reviewed and updated each year to reflect emerging themes and ensure relevance.
Examiner training
New training on bias and racism was introduced for all DCE examiners in 2025, in response to Recommendation 5 of the Review of the Paediatric Clinical Examination in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
The training was developed and delivered by subject matter experts, tailored to the distinct Indigenous contexts of both countries. It focused on developing critical understanding of racism and bias, cultural safety and competency, and how structural inequities may manifest in the examination pathway.
A comprehensive evaluation is currently underway. Findings will be shared with the Clinical Examination Committees, Subcommittees, the Māori Health Committee, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee in Q3 2025.
Table 2. Candidate Support Officer (CSO) Appointment by Division and Location
| Examiner Group |
Number |
Completed |
% |
| Local Examiners - Australia |
729 |
475 |
65 |
| National/Senior Examiners - Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand |
363 |
337 |
93 |
| Total |
1092 |
812 |
74 |
Next steps
The Taskforce will continue progressing the actions outlined in the Implementation Plan.
- Clinical Examination Committees and Subcommittees will receive evaluation reports from candidate, examiner, Local Examination Organiser, CSO and QAL pilot surveys. Evaluation findings from the examiner training will also be available in Q3 2025.
- Stakeholder consultation will continue through scheduled meetings, targeted feedback opportunities, and ongoing engagement with examiners, candidates and other involved groups.
- The Board will review the 12-month Implementation Report in December. This report will be published to the membership in early 2026.
The Taskforce is now preparing for broader implementation across all Division, Faculty and Chapter examinations in 2026. Progress will continue to be monitored and reported to the Board, relevant committees and members to support timely delivery, alignment with strategic objectives, and sustained stakeholder engagement.