‘Creating sustainable, high-quality training environments’

The RACGP is currently seeking to accredit new training sites in areas of identified workforce need across Australia, with expressions of interest (EOI) invited for 2027.
 
The college currently partners with more than 3000 accredited GP training facilities, with this accreditation a way for practices to strengthen their recruitment, retention, and long-term workforce sustainability.
 
EOIs are now invited from practices and supervisors located in selected GP catchments, in all Monash Modified areas and every state and territory.
 
RACGP Acting National Director of Education and Training Operations Dr Catherine Lees said amid GP workforce shortages, expanding accreditations must ‘maintain high standards for training quality and supervisory capacity’.
 
‘For us, it’s not a trade-off between workforce need and quality – it’s about designing accreditation in a way that delivers both,’ she told newsGP.
 
‘Where there are gaps, our role is to work alongside practices to build that capability, whether that’s strengthening supervision, supporting infrastructure, or exploring models like remote supervision.
 
‘Ultimately, accreditation isn’t just about increasing numbers, it’s about creating sustainable, high-quality training environments that will attract and retain the next generation of GPs where they’re needed most.’
 
Dr Lees will present at the RACGP’s Practice Owners Conference in Sydney this weekend, speaking about building a sustainable GP workforce through quality training practices.
 
This workshop will offer a clear introduction to RACGP training site accreditation for practices considering accreditation or preparing to begin the process.
 
It comes amid recent changes from the college, designed to streamline accreditation while maintaining the rigour required for high-quality training

Dr Lees clarified that the RACGP does not accredit every practice that expresses interest in becoming a training site as ‘accreditation isn’t about saying “yes” to everything’.
 
‘It’s about saying “yes” where we can genuinely provide a high-quality training experience, in an area of local workforce need,’ she said.
 
‘Not every practice is ready at the point they apply, whether that’s due to supervision capacity, infrastructure, or the local workforce need is not greatest.
 
‘Our responsibility is to ensure that registrars are placed in environments where they’ll be well-supported and patients will receive safe, high-quality care.
 
‘In many cases, it’s not a “no”, it’s a “not yet”.’
 
To be eligible to apply, practices must be accredited by the National General Practice Accreditation Scheme and deliver comprehensive general practice services.
 
The RACGP says priority will be given to sites that ‘demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching, can provide safe, high-quality training and can meet the RACGP Standards for General Practice Training.
 
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