The RACGP Standards 6th edition released: supporting practices and surveyors through the transition

Change is a familiar part of general practice. Practices continually adapt to new evidence, technology, patient expectations, workforce pressures and changes across the broader healthcare environment. 

The RACGP Standards for general practices 6th edition have now been officially released, representing the next evolution of the accreditation framework for Australian general practice. 

The 6th edition builds on a framework that has supported quality and safety in Australian general practice for 30 years. While introducing new and strengthened expectations that reflect contemporary general practice, the Standards retain many familiar foundations, with an ongoing focus on safe, high-quality, patient-centred care and continuous quality improvement. 

As the exclusive accrediting agency selected to participate in the RACGP’s sixth edition pilot program, AGPAL has had the opportunity to work alongside participating practices as the Standards were tested in real-world general practice settings. This experience has provided our team with valuable early insights into their practical application and the considerations practices may face as they prepare for transition. 

With the Standards now released, the next step is the publication of transition and implementation arrangements under the National General Practice Accreditation (NGPA) Scheme. These arrangements, including timing and accreditation requirements, are yet to be published by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. 

As soon as this information becomes available, we’ll keep our clients informed about what it means for their practice and what they need to know. 

In the meantime, we’re continuing to prepare so we can best support practices throughout the transition. Becoming familiar with the 6th edition can help practices feel informed and ready for what’s ahead. 

What you need to know 

The RACGP Standards 6th edition has been developed to reflect contemporary general practice and ensure the Standards continue to support safe, high-quality patient care in a changing healthcare environment. 

While retaining many of the foundations of the 5th edition, there’s greater emphasis placed on outcomes, clinical governance, consumer engagement, quality improvement and the use of clinical data, alongside emerging areas such as digital health technologies, artificial intelligence and environmental sustainability. 

The Standards have also been restructured to improve clarity and usability for practices and surveyors, with a greater focus on what practices are expected to achieve and clearer separation between accreditation requirements and supporting guidance. 

Many of the core expectations for safe, high-quality general practice remain familiar, and practices will have time to understand the changes as transition arrangements are confirmed. 

For a detailed overview of the changes, structure of the Standards, transition information and what practices can start considering, visit the RACGP Standards 6th edition hub on their website, which includes a ‘5th to 6th edition mapping document’ as well as ‘what practices need to know about the 6th edition’ information. 

What happens next?

For now, practices should continue preparing for accreditation against the current Standards while taking the opportunity to become familiar with the 6th edition.

There is no need to make immediate changes. Transition and implementation arrangements are still to be confirmed, and these will provide greater clarity about when practices will move to the new Standards and what will be required.

As further information becomes available, AGPAL will help practices understand what has changed, what it means for their accreditation journey and what they need to consider at each stage.

Join our RACGP Standards 6th edition webinar

To help practices understand the new Standards and what happens next, AGPAL will be hosting a webinar providing an introductory overview of the 6th edition.

We’ll cover the key changes introduced in the new Standards, what we know about transition so far, what practices should be considering now and how AGPAL will support practices throughout the transition.

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AGPAL introduction to the RACGP Standards 6th edition
Thursday 3 September: 11.00am – 11.30am (AEST)  

Join Megan Best, Senior Coordinator, AGPAL Accreditation, for a high-level introduction to the new Standards, including their structure, key areas of change and important considerations as practices begin familiarising themselves with the 6th edition. 

Megan will also outline how AGPAL will continue to support practices with practical guidance, education and resources. 

AGPAL introduction to the RACGP Standards 6th edition
Thursday 3 September: 11.00am – 11.30am (AEST)
Reminder: If you are outside the AEST time zone please check the corresponding start time for your location. 

REGISTER NOW

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Supporting you through the transition

With more than 25 years of experience supporting Australian general practices through accreditation, AGPAL understands that every practice and every accreditation journey is different.

We’re continuing to prepare our teams and Surveyor workforce and develop the information, education and resources that will support practices as the transition progresses.

Our support will evolve as further RACGP guidance and transition arrangements become available, helping practices access the right information at the right time.

We’ll also continue working with our Surveyors and Primary Health Network partners to support broader understanding and readiness across the general practice sector.

For now, the key message is simple: continue with your current accreditation preparations, become familiar with the 6th edition and stay informed.

We’ll keep you updated as further information becomes available and support you throughout your 6th edition journey.