Why this matters for your practice
RACGP accreditation is the central compliance milestone in general practice. It is voluntary in name, but in practice it is close to essential: it is a precondition for the entire Practice Incentives Program and for several MyMedicare and bulk-billing income streams, and it is the recognised marker that a practice meets baseline safety and quality standards. Losing or lapsing accreditation does not just remove a badge, it can switch off a large slice of practice income overnight.
Because accreditation runs on a three-year cycle and depends on evidence built over time, it rewards practices that treat it as continuous rather than a pre-survey scramble.
How accreditation works
- A practice is assessed against the RACGP Standards for general practices (now moving to the 6th edition).
- Assessment is carried out by an approved accrediting agency (such as AGPAL, QPA, or GPA Accreditation plus).
- The process typically involves a self-assessment, a submission of evidence, and an on-site survey visit.
- A successful practice is accredited for three years, after which it reaccredits.
What assessors are looking for
- Every mandatory indicator met, with evidence.
- A functioning clinical governance system.
- Ongoing continuous quality improvement activity.
- Safe systems for infection control, emergency response, results management, recalls, and privacy.
Timing for new practices
A new practice should enrol with an accrediting agency early but plan its first on-site assessment for roughly 12 to 18 months in, because assessors need to see evidence accumulated over time. That evidence cannot be created retrospectively.
Common mistakes
- Treating accreditation as a one-off project rather than a continuous system.
- Leaving evidence-over-time items late, when they cannot be back-dated.
- Letting accreditation lapse, which ends PIP eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RACGP accreditation?
RACGP accreditation is an independent assessment of a general practice against the RACGP Standards for general practices, carried out by an approved accrediting agency. A successful practice is accredited for a three-year cycle and becomes eligible for Practice Incentives Program payments.
How long does RACGP accreditation last?
Accreditation is granted for a three-year cycle. Before it ends, the practice must reaccredit by being assessed again against the current RACGP Standards. Maintaining evidence throughout the cycle makes reaccreditation far easier.
Is RACGP accreditation compulsory?
It is technically voluntary, but it is a precondition for the Practice Incentives Program and several other Medicare income streams, and it is the recognised marker of baseline safety and quality. Most general practices treat it as essential.
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