Background
In 2023, the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman (NHPO) released their report Processes for progress – A roadmap for greater transparency and accountability in specialist medical training site accreditation.
In response to this report, the Australian Medical Council (AMC) developed a common set of accreditation standards and procedures that all specialist medical colleges are expected to adopt.
The recommendations of the NHPO aim to create a more consistent, transparent, and collaborative approach across the 16 specialist medical colleges, ultimately strengthening the accreditation process for all training settings across Australia and New Zealand.
What are the changes?
New accreditation procedures – From 2026
New and strengthened accreditation procedures will be introduced to ensure a fair and transparent process for training settings.
One new procedure, introduced in August 2025, is that after an accreditation site visit, training settings can review the draft Accreditation Outcome Report and provide a response within 10 business days. The response can include identifying any factual inaccuracies or submitting additional evidence for consideration. The response provided will be considered before a final decision on accreditation status and any related conditions are made.
Additionally, from 2026, all colleges will be adopting AMC’s risk framework for accreditation decision making, ensuring decisions are proportionate and based on risk. While it is recognised that the ANZCA Training Accreditation Committee and FPM Training Unit Accreditation Committee already apply a risk-based approach to determine accreditation outcomes, this new framework will formalise and standardise these practices across all colleges.
From 2027, training settings can expect to see changes in the types of evidence required during the accreditation submission process, as well as updates to the trainee and site visit surveys. More information will be provided.
Standardised terminology – From 2026
The AMC has introduced standardised accreditation terminology that all colleges are required to adopt from 2026. While this new terminology is not a significant change from current terminology, it does introduce new terms to specify when accreditation is withdrawn from existing sites (“not accredited – revoked”) or denied to new sites (“not accredited – refused”). Additional terms will be introduced in 2027 to align with the broader implementation of the new standards.
To download the full list of new terms, their definition and associated implementation, click here.
New accreditation standards – From 2027
ANZCA and FPM will transition to accrediting training settings against AMCs new standards (and college-specific requirements) from 2027. Training sites scheduled for accreditation or reaccreditation in 2026 will follow the current ANZCA and FPM accreditation standards.
While the transition to these new standards is not expected to add significant workload, training settings can expect to see an increased focus on cultural safety and wellbeing and can expect some changes in the evidence required for accreditation submissions. Accreditation teams will receive guidance, resources, and ongoing support to assist them throughout the transition process.
To download the new standards published by the AMC, click here.
Governance
The Accreditation Standards Renewal Group (ARSG) will play a pivotal role in the development, refinement, and implementation of best practices in the accreditation process. ARSG will report to the ANZCA Education Executive Management Committee, FPM Training and Assessment Executive Committee, and ANZCA Council.
Impact to training settings
As there is high alignment between existing college standards and new standards, we don’t expect substantially greater effort required by training settings to achieve the new standards.
The NHPO report, along with the changes to accreditation standards and procedures, will enhance transparency, consistency, and collaboration in medical education across all specialist medical colleges. These changes will reduce the administrative burden on training providers, which currently have to navigate and comply with varying accreditation standards and processes from multiple colleges. The improved clarity on accreditation expectations will help training providers better prepare for and respond to accreditation site visits.
The college will provide regular updates and resources to support this transition.
Project update
Editorial changes have been made to the ANZCA and FPM Accreditation Handbooks to ensure compliance with the NHPO report. These changes have been approved by the relevant governance committees, and the Accreditation Handbooks are now published, in accordance with ANZCA's annual document publishing process.
Further information
For any questions, please contact:
Project Manager – Accreditation Standards