Accreditation

Accreditation is the assessment of a general practice against the requirements outlined in the Standards of General Practice written and published by the Royal Australian College of General Practice (RACGP) 5th Edition Standards. The purpose of the standards is to protect patients from harm by improving the quality and safety of health services. The Standards also support general practices in identifying and addressing any gaps in their systems and processes.

Benefits of accreditation

There are many benefits to accreditation, including: 

Provides a framework for a practice to deliver high quality, safe health care to patients in accordance with industry best practice standards.

Allows patients and clients to have confidence in the standard of health care they are receiving.

Educates staff about the value of and gives them the frameworks to deliver high quality, safe health care services.

Creates a workplace culture that values quality.

Earns Quality Improvement and Continuing Professional Development (QI&CPD) points for each GP participating in accreditation.

Facilitates access to the Federal Government’s Practice Incentives Program (PIP) and Workforce Incentive Program (WIP).

Reduces business risk.

Ensures the practice complies with regulatory requirements and national standards.

Accreditation Agencies – the assessment process

To become an accredited general practice, your practice must select an approved accreditation agency. There are four Australian accreditation agencies that general practices are able to choose from to gain accreditation against the Standards.

For more information on what is required by the accreditation agencies and surveyors, see the  RACGP 5th edition Accreditation Standards – the assessment process.

Agency contact details can be found at  RACGP – Accreditation Agencies.

Practice Incentive program (PIP)

The Practice Incentives Program (PIP) aims to encourage general practices to continue providing quality care, enhance capacity, and improve access and health outcomes for patients.

Who can participate?

To participate in the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) the practice must participate in the  Practice Incentives Program (PIP) before applying for individual incentives. Practices must either be accredited or become accredited within 12 months of registration to be eligible for the PIP. Practices must also meet ongoing eligibility requirements, see  Services Australia – Who can get it for further information.

There are eight individual incentives that practices are able to participate in. For further information and individual guidelines, please see  Services Australia – What are the individual incentives.

Standards for general practice (6th edition) – due for release in 2026

The RACGP is developing the Standards for general practices (6th edition) (the Standards) to support high-quality, safe general practice care across Australia. The Standards are grounded in the best available evidence on how practices can deliver safe, effective, and patient-centred healthcare. The development of this edition was guided by the quintuple aim of healthcare – improving patient experience, population health outcomes, cost-efficiency, provider wellbeing, and health equity – and all five elements are reflected throughout the Standards.

The Standards support general practices to identify, develop and implement sound and contemporary systems and processes that also provide a framework for continuous quality improvement.

RACGP Standards for General Practices (6th edition) page for updates.

How CESPHN supports general practice with accreditation 

Our Practice Support and Development team provide assistance to general practices to achieve accreditation or re-accreditation by: 

Providing advice and support on meeting and understanding the RACGP accreditation standards

Advising on key aspects of accreditation including infection control, sterilisation, cold chain management practice management, risk management and much more.