NGPA Scheme
Information for accrediting agencies
Information for organisations seeking approval as an accrediting agency under the National General Practice Accreditation (NGPA) Scheme.
Accrediting agency approval process
The National Health Reform Act 2011 regulates the Commission. Included within its functions is the formulation of model national schemes to accredit health services. The NGPA Scheme is such a scheme. It was developed by the Commission, in collaboration with the RACGP.
The NGPA Scheme provides a governance framework for national coordination of general practice accreditation and an approval process for accrediting agencies. The NGPA Scheme sets out the responsibilities of accrediting agencies in relation to implementation of the relevant safety and quality standards, which are currently:
- The RACGP Standards for general practices (5th edition)
- The RACGP Standards for point-of-care testing (5th edition).
Under the NGPA Scheme, the Commission has the responsibility to approve accrediting agencies seeking to assess general practices against the relevant standards. Applications are open every three to five years.
Call for applications
The 2022 approvals round is now closed.
Assessment of accrediting agency applications
An approvals panel established by the Commission will review applications and conduct interviews with suitable accrediting agencies seeking to conduct assessments under the NGPA Scheme. The panel includes representatives from the sector, as well as senior Commission staff.
Further information about the approval process is in Approval Policy: