Quality Practice Accreditation

04/09/2026

Have you read the latest version of the RACGP's Interpretive Guide?

Recently the Interpretive guide for the assessment of non-traditional general practices against the 5th edition Standards has been published to the RACGP website.

Learn more at the link below 👇

https://www.racgp.org.au/running-a-practice/practice-standards/interpretive-guide-1/interpretative-guide-for-non-traditional-general-p

31/08/2026

Following the much-anticipated 6th Edition Standards for general practice just being released, QPA is excited to be hosting a public webinar on Wednesday 16th September from 11am. We'll take a closer look at the Standards and what they mean for your practice.

Reserve your spot now to avoid disappointment! 👇
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4506017911096722525?source=qfb

30/08/2026

In case you missed our recent Inside QPA newsletter, we spotlighted QPA Surveyor, Collean Guest and her advice for practices. After 26 years as a surveyor, Collean has visited hundreds of practices across Australia - from metropolitan clinics to some of the country's most remote communities. Her message to practices is simple: 'It's not an exam; it's not about a pass or fail. It's about improving.' Read the full article here: 👇
https://www.qpa.health/2026/08/24/collean-guest-surveyor-helping-practices-see-accreditation-as-an-opportunity-not-an-exam/

26/08/2026

The RACGP has released the Standards for general practice (6th edition)!

While retaining much of the fifth edition, the sixth edition places greater emphasis on the emerging areas of digital health technologies, AI and environmental sustainability.

Over recent months our team has received many enquiries about the proposed changes, preparation requirements and what the transition period may look like.

To guide you through these changes and support practices in better understanding these aspects, QPA will be hosting a webinar on the 16th September 2026 from 11:00am AEST.

We invite practices to register today to reserve your spot.👇
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4506017911096722525?source=qfb

25/08/2026

It's time to rethink who pays for general practice accreditation.

For more than 25 years, Australian general practices have carried the cost of accreditation. QPA is asking whether that model still makes sense.

QPA has released a new discussion paper proposing a fundamental change to the way general practice accreditation is funded - shifting the cost away from individual practice and towards a fairer, more consistent and accountable model.

The proposal challenges some long-held assumptions about who should pay for accreditation, particularly as accreditation becomes increasingly important to accessing government incentives.

Read the full discussion paper and have your say here 👇

https://www.qpa.health/2026/08/19/discussion-paper-should-general-practices-pay-for-accreditation/

30/07/2026

Quality is more than meeting standards, it's an opportunity to strengthen systems, build team confidence and foster a stronger culture within the practice.

Our latest Practice Spotlight newsletter, has featured QPA-accredited Roths General Practice, located in Tumbarumba, regional NSW. We explored how their accreditation journey has helped shape team cohesion through a supportive and clearly mapped-out program and built confidence in their delivery of excellence in patient care.

Read the full story to find out how QPA can support your practice's quality journey.
👇
https://www.qpa.health/2026/07/14/roths-general-practice-tumbarumba/

15/07/2026

Every young person deserves someone who believes in them and to help them develop a greater sense of belonging and self-worth!

So far this year, our QPA team have proudly raised over $1000 in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia. This incredible community-based organisation provides life-changing mentoring for young people to build confidence, inspire dreams and create brighter futures.

This morning, we were honoured to welcome to our office Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Coordinator for Tumut, Emma Peacock to present our donation and show our appreciation for the extraordinary work Emma and her team do for our community.

25/06/2026

Better understand Open Disclosure

Mistakes happen, even with the best intent and care.

When things go wrong, open and honest timely conversations with patients builds trust and understanding and reduces the risk of an adverse event becoming a legal as well as a medical problem.

The Commission has just released an update to The Australian Open Disclosure Framework which applies across all healthcare settings. The Framework defines Open Disclosure to support clear, timely and compassionate communication and identifies opportunities to improve systems of communication between clinicians and patients.

Download the framework and accompanying resources here 👇

The Australian Open Disclosure Framework (the Framework) provides a nationally consistent basis for effective communication following unexpected healthcare outcomes and harm.

17/06/2026

For some general practices, they are more than simply a place people visit when they are unwell. Over time, they become part of family stories, milestones, difficult seasons and everyday life in a community.

Banyo Clinic, in Brisbane, is one of those practices.

Last year the clinic marked 70 years of care within the community. GP and Clinic Director, Dr Kelly Lai, reflected on the practice's defining strength as the long-term relationship between patient and doctor, and the trust that grows over time. "There is a sense of legacy and responsibility," Dr Lai says. "We've been caring for the community for such a long time, and there is a lot of respect for the doctors and staff who have contributed over the years."

That same long view also shapes how the clinic thinks about quality. At Banyo Clinic, quality is not treated as a separate project or something that's visible during accreditation. "It's in our habits; in our communications," Dr Lai says. "The goal is really to make quality and risk management a conscious and deliberate part of our practice, not something we only deal with in response to a problem."

For Dr Lai, accreditation works best when it supports that everyday thinking.

Read more about how quality and QPA accreditation aligns naturally with Banyo Clinic's own values around continuity, trust and steady improvement.
https://www.qpa.health/2026/04/29/more-than-a-practice-70-years-of-community-care-at-banyo-clinic/

09/06/2026

Recently, QPA GP Surveyor, Dr Melinda Griffiths reflected on her experience across nursing, general practice, practice ownership and surveying as she brings a unique perspective to both her work as an accreditation surveyor and to the day-to-day realities of practice life.

One misconception is the belief that accreditation is simply a pass or fail. "Most issues are manageable and there is support available." Dr Griffiths works carefully to remove fear that assessors are there to catch practices out. "My job is not to nitpick. It is to recognise the work they are doing, help them understand the standards and explain why those standards matter. That explanation is often where the most useful conversations happen."

Dr Griffiths reflections also serve as a useful reminder that, in many cases, practices are doing better than they perhaps give themselves credit for. "Many practices have strong communication systems, useful meetings, thoughtful patient reminders and well developed treatment room processes already in place. Some also show remarkable innovations."

Read more about Dr Griffiths valuable insights as a QPA GP Surveyor https://www.qpa.health/2026/04/30/inside-qpa-dr-melinda-griffiths/

Learn more about how QPA and our surveyor team are committed to advancing the quality of general practice in Australia https://www.qpa.health/about-our-surveyors/