Accreditation

General practice accreditation

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care administers the National General Practice Accreditation Scheme (NGPA). This scheme supports the consistent assessment of general practices against the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) standards for general practices. 

Accreditation provides assurances to the community that a general practice meets expected standards for safety and quality. It is a formal program in which trained independent reviewers assess a general practice’s evidence of implementation of the RACGP Standards for general practices. Further information can be found on the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care website.

RACGP Standards for General Practice – 6th edition now available

On 26 August 2026, the RACGP announced the release of the Standards for General Practice – 6th Edition. The sixth edition represents an evolution of a trusted framework, modernised to reflect today’s healthcare environment while maintaining continuity with the accreditation model that has supported Australian general practice for more than three decades.

The updated standards continue to focus on outcomes rather than prescribing how practices should achieve them, providing flexibility for practices of all sizes and settings, while maintaining clear expectations for safe, high-quality, patient-centred care.

What’s new in the 6th edition?

The sixth edition responds to changes across the healthcare system, with updates including:

  • Environmental sustainability, including practical approaches to reducing environmental impact
  • A dedicated criterion supporting the safe governance of artificial intelligence (AI) where practices choose to use AI technology
  • Strengthened privacy and confidentiality requirements to reflect evolving digital health environments
  • Enhanced antimicrobial stewardship expectations, including education for practice teams and patients
  • Greater emphasis on continuous quality improvement through the use of clinical data, patient feedback and quality improvement activities
  • Introduction of consumer expectation statements and a new shared decision-making requirement to strengthen patient-centred care.

Transition to the 6th edition 

There will be a transition period from the Standards for General Practices – 5th Edition, providing flexibility for practices already progressing through accreditation, while allowing time to become familiar with the new requirements. Further information about the transition arrangements, including timing and accreditation requirements, will be communicated by the Australian Commission of Safety and Quality in Health Care.

Supporting your transition

To assist practices in implementing the sixth edition, the RACGP is developing a range of supporting resources, including:

  • Frequently asked questions
  • Fact sheets
  • Ongoing updates through the Standards Newsletter – click here to subscribe.

Contact us

For more information, email our General Practice Support team at gpsupport@murrayphn.org.au 

Last Update: November 2nd, 2026

Leadership. Respect. Accountability.

Murray PHN acknowledges its catchment crosses over many unceded First Nations Countries, following the Dhelkunya Yaluk (Healing River).

We pay our respects and give thanks to the Ancestors, Elders and Young people for their nurturing, protection and caregiving of these sacred lands and waterways, acknowledging their continuing cultural, spiritual and educational practices.

We are grateful for the sharing of Country and the renewal that Country gives us. We acknowledge and express our sorrow that this sharing has come at a personal, spiritual and cultural cost to the wellbeing of First Nations peoples. We commit to addressing the injustices of colonisation across our catchment, and to listening to the wisdom of First Nations communities who hold the knowledge to enable healing. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.