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.
To contribute your expertise, go to represent your profession.
Contact us if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Search results
Topic
Election-related health advocacy
Description
The RACP and its Victorian Committee are committed to working with the incoming Victorian government to enable physicians and trainees to meet the community’s health needs, both today and tomorrow.
Description
Our feedback to the review of the National Pharmaceutical Benefits Regulations calls upon the PBS to centre compliance education and proportionate risk management approaches for PBS prescribers in regulatory reform. It urges the PBS to better differentiate regulatory approaches for prescriber administrative error from penalties for deliberate non-compliance.
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.
Topic
Occupational and environmental health
Description
AFOEM contributed expert feedback to the Queensland review, highlighting the vital role of occupational and environmental physicians in workers’ compensation outcomes. Key recommendations were to better recognise cumulative and long-latency work-related conditions, update permanent impairment assessment guidelines and accreditation processes, and establish a strong clinical governance framework.
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.
