Why accreditation is changing

In 2023, the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman (NHPO) released Processes for Progress — a roadmap for greater transparency and accountability in specialist medical training site accreditation. The report made a series of recommendations to improve how training settings are accredited across all 16 specialist medical colleges.

In response, Australian Health Ministers endorsed the AMC Model Standards, which all Medical Colleges — including the RACP — are required to adopt. The RACP is implementing these for both Basic and Advanced Training Programs.

The new standards —What's changing

The AMC Model Standards were developed to address variations in how specialist medical colleges operationalise accreditation standards, and to set clear expectations for accreditation assessment processes. The RACP is implementing these standards across both its Basic and Advanced Training Programs.

These standards support a uniform framework for accreditation decisions while allowing colleges to incorporate College Specific Requirements (CSRs) to reflect the unique program needs of each specialty.

Domains

The current 9 standards, previously classified under 4 themes, have been condensed into 4 streamlined domains.

When the new standards apply

Implementation is being phased across Basic Training and Advanced Training programs. The standards that apply to your setting depend on when your accreditation renewal falls.

What this means for training settings

The shift to AMC Model Standards introduces several important changes to how accreditation decisions are made and communicated.

Key changes

Related information

National Health Practitioner Ombudsman (NHPO)

Risk-based Framework for measuring outcomes

Model Accreditation Resource Hub

Further information on implementation, including updated guidance materials and an Evidence Guide for training sites, will be published here as it becomes available.