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Advisory GP23/02: Requests for extensions and appeals

This advisory sets out the Commission's processes for accrediting agencies and general practices:

  1. Requesting additional time for assessment processes
  2. Requesting extensions to the accreditation expiry date
  3. Requesting retrospective extensions to a lapsed accreditation expiry date
  4. Seeking to appeal a decision by the Commission relating to a, b and c above
  5. Seeking to appeal on the basis the accrediting agency has not followed processes set out in the NGPA Scheme.

Advisory details

ItemDetails
Advisory numberGP23/02
Version number2.0
Publication date10 October 2024
ReplacesGP23/02 version 1.0 published 22 August 2023
Compliance with this advisoryMandatory
Information in this advisory applies to
  • All approved accrediting agencies
  • All general practices
Key relationship
AttachmentNot applicable
NotesGeneral practices and accrediting agencies can both refer requests for extensions and appeals to the Commission for consideration.
Responsible officerMargaret Banks
Director, National Standards
Phone: 1800 304 056
Email: AdviceCentre@safetyandquality.gov.au
To be reviewedOctober 2026

 

Purpose

This advisory sets out the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s (the Commission) processes for accrediting agencies and general practices:

  1. Requesting additional time for assessment processes
  2. Requesting extensions to the accreditation expiry date
  3. Requesting retrospective extensions to a lapsed accreditation expiry date
  4. Seeking to appeal a decision by the Commission relating to a, b and c above
  5. Seeking to appeal on the basis the accrediting agency has not followed processes set out in the NGPA Scheme.
     

Issue

General practices that successfully complete an assessment to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Standards for General Practices and RACGP Standards for point-of-care are awarded accreditation for a period of three years. In some limited instances, general practices may wish to:

  • Seek an extension to the timeframe of the assessment process;
  • Seek an extension to their period of accreditation awarded, either in advance of the expiry date or retrospectively;
  • Appeal a decision by the Commission relating to its decision to withhold an extension or additional assessment time; or
  • Appeal on the basis the accrediting agency has not followed processes set out in the National General Practice Accreditation Scheme.
     

Type of request

CircumstancesRequirements
When a general practice is experiencing significant delays in the reaccreditation process due to extenuating circumstance(s)* but is not at risk of the current accreditation lapsing
  • Accompanied by evidence to substantiate claims of extenuating circumstance(s)*
  • Accompanied by evidence that the general practice was implementing the requirements of the NGPA Scheme and complying with accreditation processes at the time the extenuating circumstance(s)* occurred
  • A second or subsequent request for an extension in the same accreditation cycle may be considered where the extenuating circumstances are different to the initial submission and a further extension has not been expressly prohibited by the Commission. 
CircumstancesRequirements
When a general practice is experiencing significant delays in the reaccreditation process due to extenuating circumstance(s)* and is at risk of the current accreditation lapsing
  • Submitted no more than five months before the general practice’s current accreditation expiry date
  • Accompanied by evidence to substantiate claims of extenuating circumstance(s)*
  • Accompanied by evidence that the general practice was implementing the requirements of the NGPA Scheme and complying with accreditation processes at the time the extenuating event occurred
  • A second or subsequent request for an extension in the same accreditation cycle, may be considered where the extenuating circumstances are different to the initial submission and a further extension has not been expressly prohibited by the Commission.
CircumstancesRequirements
When a general practice’s current accreditation was awarded past the previous accreditation expiry date resulting in a gap between accreditations
  • Submitted no more than three months after the period in which the general practice was not accredited
  • Accompanied by evidence to substantiate claims of extenuating circumstance(s)*
  • Accompanied by evidence that the general practice was implementing the requirements of the NGPA Scheme and complying with accreditation processes at the time the extenuating event occurred.
CircumstancesRequirements
When a general practice has previously submitted a request for additional time for assessment processes, an extension, or a retrospective extension but is not satisfied by the outcome determined by the Commission
  • Submitted no more than 20 business days after receiving the decision on an extension from the Commission
  • Accompanied by additional evidence that the general practice was implementing the requirements of the NGPA Scheme and complying with accreditation processes at the time the extenuating circumstance(s)* occurred
CircumstancesRequirements
When a general practice has undertaken accreditation, and the accrediting agency has not followed the processes set out in the NGPA Scheme

*An extenuating circumstance is defined as:

  • An extensive and critical occurrence outside a general practice’s control which results in prolonged loss, damage, or absences of access to facilities, records, critical equipment, utilities and/or technology. This may be due to but not limited to, severe weather, natural disaster, fire, accident, or emergencies such as a pandemic
  • Recent personal hardship or tragedy experienced by key practice personnel which has or is likely to significantly impact the operation for the general practice over an extended period of time. This includes but is not limited to severe illness or death of practice principals or manager.

The Commission will not consider a request for extension to the accreditation expiry date under the following circumstances:

  • A general practice has not allowed sufficient time to finalise administration of accreditation decisions despite the accrediting agency’s guidance. For example:
    • Delaying response to communication sent by the accrediting agency
    • Postponing contracted obligations to the accrediting agency such as finalising payment, submitting documents, and agreeing to assessment dates
    • Delaying completion of remedial actions
  • A general practice has transferred to an alternative accrediting agency. It is a requirement that the receiving accrediting agency* accepting the practice as a client maintain the general practice’s existing accreditation cycle and schedule of assessment (refer to Advisory GP18/02)
  • A general practice had a prolonged gap in hiring key personnel.

*A receiving accrediting agency is an accrediting agency that a general practice applies to for future accreditation services.

Submission form

Please click on the link below to submit a request for an extension or an appeal.

Submit a request

After the request has been submitted

Following the submission of a request, the Commission will review all the evidence submitted, collect further evidence from the general practice’s accrediting agency if required, and may seek advice from other relevant parties such as the General Practice Accreditation Coordinating Committee, prior to determining the outcome of the request.

Requests can take 10 to 20 business days to be processed, dependent on the type of request submitted, evidence provided, and the need to seek further information. 

Outcome of request

Should the Commission approve an extension to a general practice’s accreditation expiry date, the Commission will assign a revised accreditation expiry date and notify the relevant general practice, the accrediting agency, and Services Australia.

If the general practice is not satisfied with the outcome, it may seek an appeal via the Requests for extensions and appeals formExternal link. Once the Commission has issued a determination of the appeal, there is no further avenue of appeal.

For accrediting agencies

Accrediting agencies must advise the Commission of any issues that relate to their obligations as an approved accrediting agency to complete assessments of general practices as outlined in Clause 3 of the Policy – Approval under the National General Practice Accreditation (NGPA) Scheme to conduct assessments.

The Commission does not consider delays that result from the operational issues of the accrediting agency as a sufficient reason to grant an extension to a general practice’s accreditation.

An accrediting agency must not backdate or change the date of commencement of a new accreditation cycle.

Last updated: 12 March 2026