Policy and Advocacy Library
The library is the culmination of the collaborative work of RACP members and comprises a comprehensive range of evidence-based, published RACP position statements, policies and submissions.
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Description
The RACP supports the draft NSW Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy 2026-2036's harm minimisation approach but calls for funded, measurable action. Its 14 recommendations include increased treatment funding, a larger addiction medicine workforce, stronger alcohol policy including a minimum floor price, expanded harm reduction measures such as community drug checking, Aboriginal self-determination, addiction medicine representation in governance, and public reporting on outcomes.
Description
Our submission to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing's consultation on excessive specialist fees supports a staged approach, prioritising better data, transparency, informed financial consent and a fair review process. It calls for further work with colleges, the CPMC and specialty societies to define an excessive fee, and stresses that affordability also depends on Medicare rebate reform, workforce planning and public outpatient capacity.
Description
The RACP broadly supports the Federal Government’s proposed private health reforms aiming to improve neonatal care, hospital in the home services and rural and remote private hospital funding. Our recommendations aim to reduce pressure on the hospital sector, optimise physician workforce distribution and improve patient access to innovative, sustainable physician-led care models.
Topic
Informed financial consent
Description
The College's submission on IFC backs education, guidance and voluntary compliance over legislative change as the most pragmatic approach to IFC. It argues that both practitioners and patients need clear guidance and practical implementation tools before regulators reach for enforcement.
Description
Our comment on the Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Medicines Shortages and Other Measures) Bill 2026 strongly supports its proposals for transparency and earlier notice of medicine shortages and discontinuations from medicine sponsors. These reforms will help physicians make informed prescribing decisions, improve care coordination across the health system and give patients greater certainty of supply. We also call for further reforms to better manage Australia's medicines supply.
Description
Our submission to the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 welcomes the Bill as a good first step, but calls for a clearer path to ending all gambling advertising, a ban on inducements like bonus bets, and stronger protections to reduce harm for people and their families.
Description
The RACP submission sets out key priorities across community inclusion, health and wellbeing, safety and opportunity, alongside system-wide reforms to help deliver better outcomes for Victorians.
Description
The RACP submission highlights priorities across education, wellbeing, safety, community connection and participation. The submission sets out recommendations to improve outcomes for children and young people throughout NSW.
Description
The RACP provided feedback to the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) on its draft professional standards for Physician Associates (PAs). The RACP emphasised the importance of patient safety and the need for robust standards that reflect the unique context of Aotearoa New Zealand’s health system. We also expressed disappointment with the Minister of Health’s decision to retain the title of “Physician Associate”, which may create confusion for patients and the wider public.
Topic
Occupational and environmental health
Description
The National Transport Commission (NTC) undertook Phase 1 of its review of the Assessing Fitness to Drive (AFTD) Standards (2022). Fitness to drive assessments are a key medical service and contribute to patient and road safety. Physicians from Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine, Addiction Medicine and General Medicine provided a list of issues for the next edition of the Standards.
