RACGP (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners)

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is the primary professional body for general practice in Australia. It sets clinical standards, develops ethical guidelines, and provides the specialised training and examinations required to become a fully qualified General Practitioner (GP). Membership and fellowship of the RACGP signal that a doctor has met Australia’s highest benchmarks for primary care practice.

What is the role of the RACGP in Australian healthcare?

The RACGP supports both GPs and patients, supporting high standards of safe, patient-centred, and evidence-based general practice. Key responsibilities of the RACGP include:

• Developing standards for general practice and primary healthcare services. 

• Providing education, training, and assessment pathways for independent practice. 

• Helping practising doctors maintain and expand their skills through ongoing professional development. 

• Providing trusted resources to support evidence-based patient care. 

• Working to strengthen and improve healthcare services across Australia. 

• Supporting practitioners in navigating new healthcare challenges and innovations. By carrying out these functions, the RACGP strengthens the quality of medical care and contributes to improved health outcomes across Australia. 

How does the RACGP ensure high clinical standards?

The RACGP employs a comprehensive approach to maintaining and enhancing clinical standards in Australian general practice.

• Accreditation of GP practices: The RACGP’s Standards for General Practices (5th edition) helps ensure that GP clinics provide safe and effective care. Clinics seeking accreditation must meet requirements covering key areas such as patient safety, quality of care, infection control, health record management, and collaborative teamwork. 

• Specialist training and fellowship: Doctors seeking Fellowship of the RACGP must undertake a minimum of four years of accredited GP training, including supervised clinical experience and formal examinations. This process helps ensure that Fellows have demonstrated the clinical skills and knowledge required for independent practice. 

• Continuing Professional Development (CPD): To maintain Fellowship, RACGP members must complete mandatory CPD activities every year. These activities include education, performance evaluation, and outcome assessment. This helps ensure that clinical knowledge remains current throughout their professional careers. 

• Clinical guidelines and research: The RACGP develops and publishes evidence-based clinical guidelines to support GPs in making informed treatment and prescribing decisions. These include:
  • RACGP Red Book for preventative care 
  • Silver Book for the health of older Australians 
  • RACGP Handbook for the Management of Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Issues These publications are designed to make current evidence more accessible in daily practice.

RACGP guidelines for telehealth and online prescribing

The RACGP encourages the use of telehealth where it is suitable for a patient’s clinical needs and can be delivered safely. The organisation helps ensure telehealth services remain safe, patient-centred, and clinically appropriate.

Key RACGP telehealth principles include: 

• Delivering patient-centred care regardless of how care is delivered. 

• Undertaking adequate assessment before providing treatment or a diagnosis. 

• Protecting patient privacy and maintaining confidentiality. 

• Documenting consultations thoroughly and accurately. 

• Referring patients for in-person assessment when a physical examination is required. 

• Using clinical judgment to decide when telehealth is the most appropriate option. 

The RACGP also offers guidance on prescribing in online healthcare settings, emphasising that prescribing decisions should be based on appropriate clinical assessment, sufficient patient information, and professional responsibility. Any prescription issued should be clinically justified and compliant with relevant prescribing requirements.

Medical Disclaimer: The content on this page is for informational purposes only.