Advisory GP26/01: Advice on not applicable indicators under the National General Practice Accreditation Scheme
This advisory sets out the Commission’s requirements for not applicable indicators for accreditation under the National General Practice Accreditation (NGPA) Scheme.
Advisory details
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Advisory number | GP26/01 |
| Version number | 1.0 |
| Publication date | May 2026 |
| Replaces | Nil |
| Compliance | Mandatory |
| Applicable to |
|
| Key relationship | RACGP Interpretive guide for the accreditation of general practices under the new definition of a general practice for the purpose of accreditation |
| Attachment(s) | Summary table of not applicable indicators under the NGPA Scheme |
| Note(s) | Nil |
| Responsible officer | Director, National Standards Email: AdviceCentre@safetyandquality.gov.au |
| Review date | May 2028 |
Purpose
This advisory sets out the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s (the Commission) requirements for not applicable indicators for accreditation under the National General Practice Accreditation (NGPA) Scheme.
Issue
In some circumstances, indicators from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Standards for general practices (5th edition) may not be applicable to a general practice being assessed for accreditation. The Commission has issued this advisory to ensure the consistent application of ‘Not applicable’ ratings to indicators under the NGPA Scheme.
Requirements
During an initial routine assessment, accrediting agencies must determine whether an indicator is ‘Not applicable’ based on Table 1, which identifies indicators that may be awarded a ‘Not applicable’ rating, subject to the conditions outlined.
Where there are disputes concerning the award of a ‘Not applicable’ rating between a general practice and its accrediting agency, the accrediting agency may apply to the Commission for mediation by contacting the Safety and Quality Advice Centre.
All indicators not listed in Table 1 remain applicable, unless otherwise determined by the Commission.
The determination of ‘Not applicable’ indicators must be undertaken at every routine assessment, regardless of any ‘Not applicable’ ratings awarded during previous accreditation cycles.
Attachment: Summary table of not applicable indicators under the NGPA Scheme
Table 1. Not applicable indicators under the NGPA Scheme
| Indicator | Conditions |
|---|---|
C3.2A - All members of our practice team understand their role in the practice C3.2B - Our practice has performance discussions with each team member C3.2C - All members of our practice team understand their role in the practice C3.4A – Our practice team has the opportunity to discuss administrative matters with the principal practitioners, practice directors, practice management, or owners when necessary C3.4B – Our practice encourages involvement and input from all members of the practice team | Not applicable when general practices are operated by a sole General Practitioner (GP) and do not employ other staff. If the general practice engages locums, students, registrars, or support staff, even on a limited or temporary basis, these indicators remain applicable. |
C8.1A - Our non-clinical staff complete training appropriate to their role C8.1B - Our non-clinical staff complete CPR training at least once every three years | Not applicable when general practices do not employ non-clinical staff. If the general practices employ non-clinical staff even on a limited or temporary basis, these indicators remain applicable. |
C3.6A - Our practice has all research approved by an ethics committee C3.6B - Our practice confirms that the appropriate indemnity is in place for research, based on the level of risk C3.6C - Our practice only transfers identified patient health information to a third party for quality improvement or professional development activities after we have obtained the patient’s consent | Not applicable when general practices are not conducting any research. |
| C6.2B - If our practice is using a hybrid patient health record system, a note of each consultation/interaction is made in each system, and that record includes where the clinical notes are recorded | Not applicable when general practices do not use a hybrid health record system. |
| GP2.1A - Our patients can request their preferred practitioner | Not applicable when there is only one GP available to provide general practice services, due to a lack of GPs in the area. |
| GP4.1C - Our practice has a clinical team member who has primary responsibility for educating the practice team about infection prevention and control | Not applicable when general practices are operated by a sole GP and do not employ other staff. If the sole GP engages locums, students, registrars, or support staff, even on a limited or temporary basis, this indicator remains applicable. |
GP5.1B - Our practice ensures that all patient consultations take place in a dedicated consultation or examination space GP5.1D - Our practice has a waiting area that accommodates the usual number of patients and other people who would be waiting at any given time | Not applicable for general practices without physical premises that are not authorised or legally able to make reasonable adjustments of the facilities where the general practice services are being provided. |
| GP5.2C - Our practice has one or more height adjustable beds | Not applicable for general practices without physical premises that provide general practice services at external facilities. The need for height adjustable beds can be determined by the patient demographic and service requirements of where the general practice services are being provided. |