RACGP sixth edition marks 30 years since the first standards
Australian general practices have a new benchmark for quality and safety after the Royal Australian College of GPs released the sixth edition of its Standards for general practices on 26 August 2026.
The update comes 30 years after the first edition in 1996. RACGP says it followed an extensive review and consultation process to make sure the standards meet the needs of GPs.
New and updated topics include defining and planning for your practice, environmental sustainability, artificial intelligence, reprocessing for practices that reprocess reusable medical devices, engaging consumers, and continuous quality improvement.
The college says the sixth edition puts stronger emphasis on person-centred care. It also builds on established principles to help GPs meet patient expectations.
Patient-centred care shapes new standards
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said patients’ needs, preferences and experiences are embedded throughout the new standards. “Shared decision-making and patient-centred care are core to good general practice,” he said.
According to Wright, the standards include consumer expectation statements so patient perspectives sit at the centre of care delivery. He also said the framework aims to help practices adapt to modern consumer expectations.
The update also covers how practices can consider AI in care, implement environmental sustainability measures, and keep operating in a difficult financial environment. RACGP says the standards are outcomes-focused and do not prescribe rigid processes.
Instead, the college says practices can use systems that suit their circumstances while still meeting patient expectations for high-quality care tailored to their needs. The standards apply whether a practice is already accredited or is considering accreditation.
Louise Acland outlines continuity
Dr Louise Acland, chair of the RACGP Expert Committee, Standards for General Practices, described the sixth edition as “continuity amid change”. She said its biggest strength may be continuity, even as it introduces new topics.
Acland said core principles set nearly 30 years ago remain intact. Those principles include a commitment to whole-person care, recognition of the diversity of general practice settings, and confidence in peer review and professional ownership of standards.
She also said accreditation was originally intended as more than a compliance exercise. In her view, it was designed to support excellence in patient care and provide a visible measure of quality.
RACGP did not provide transition dates or implementation arrangements in its 26 August 2026 announcement. It said those details for the sixth edition under the National General Practice Accreditation Scheme will be published on the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care website.
