Choosing the right accreditation body is one of the most important decisions you will make when setting up or renewing your GP practice accreditation. In Australia, two organisations are approved to assess general practices against the RACGP Standards: AGPAL (Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited) and QPA (Quality Practice Accreditation). Both assess against the same standards, but they differ in process, pricing, support, and approach.
Speak with our Regulatory Growth team to get guidance on which accreditation body suits your practice.
What Is GP Practice Accreditation?
Accreditation is the formal process through which a general practice demonstrates that it meets the RACGP Standards for General Practices (5th Edition). Accreditation is required for practices to access Practice Incentives Program (PIP) payments and is increasingly expected by patients, insurers, and referring practitioners.
The accreditation cycle runs for three years, after which practices must undergo re-accreditation. During this cycle, practices are expected to maintain compliance with all standards and engage in continuous quality improvement activities. Understanding the RACGP standards framework is essential before selecting your accreditation body.
AGPAL: Overview and Key Features
About AGPAL
AGPAL (Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited) is the largest accreditation body for general practices in Australia. Established in 1998, AGPAL has accredited thousands of practices across the country and is widely recognised within the healthcare sector. AGPAL is a not-for-profit organisation and is endorsed by the RACGP.
AGPAL Accreditation Process
The AGPAL process begins with an online self-assessment where the practice evaluates its own performance against each standard. Following the self-assessment, AGPAL assigns a surveyor team to conduct an on-site assessment visit. The surveyors review documentation, inspect the physical environment, interview staff, and assess clinical systems.
After the assessment, the practice receives a detailed report identifying areas of compliance and any areas requiring improvement. If corrective actions are needed, the practice has a defined timeframe to address them before accreditation is confirmed.
AGPAL Pricing and Support
AGPAL offers tiered pricing based on practice size (number of GPs). The fee covers the full three-year accreditation cycle, including the assessment visit and reporting. AGPAL also provides pre-accreditation resources, online learning modules, and access to a support team for practices preparing for their assessment.
QPA: Overview and Key Features
About QPA
QPA (Quality Practice Accreditation) is the alternative accreditation body for Australian general practices. QPA positions itself as a more personalised, practice-focused option. It is also a not-for-profit organisation and is endorsed by the RACGP to assess against the same standards as AGPAL.
QPA Accreditation Process
The QPA process follows a similar structure to AGPAL, with self-assessment followed by an on-site survey visit. QPA emphasises a collaborative and educational approach to the assessment, aiming to make the process a learning experience for the practice rather than purely an audit. QPA surveyors provide real-time feedback during the visit and work with practices to identify improvement opportunities.
QPA Pricing and Support
QPA generally offers competitive pricing compared to AGPAL, particularly for smaller practices. QPA also provides dedicated support throughout the accreditation cycle, including access to a named contact person, pre-assessment consultations, and post-assessment support for corrective actions.
AGPAL vs QPA: Side-by-Side Comparison
When comparing AGPAL and QPA, the key differences come down to organisational size, approach, pricing, and support style. Both organisations assess against the identical RACGP Standards, so the clinical and quality requirements are the same regardless of which body you choose.
AGPAL tends to suit larger practices or those who prefer a structured, standardised process with extensive online resources. QPA tends to suit smaller practices or those who value a more personalised, relationship-driven approach. Neither is inherently better than the other. The right choice depends on your practice’s specific needs, budget, and preferences.
Key factors to consider when making your decision include total cost over the three-year cycle, the level of pre-assessment support provided, the flexibility of scheduling assessment visits, the communication style and responsiveness of the accreditation body, and feedback from other practices in your network who have used either organisation.
Preparing for Accreditation With Either Body
Regardless of whether you choose AGPAL or QPA, the preparation process is largely the same. You need to ensure your practice meets all criteria across the four domains of the RACGP Standards: clinical care, partnerships with patients, organisational effectiveness, and the physical environment.
Start your preparation at least six months before your assessment date. Conduct a gap analysis, update your policies and procedures, ensure all staff training records are current, and address any physical environment issues (infection control, equipment maintenance, accessibility). Practices that leave preparation to the last minute frequently encounter issues that could have been resolved with adequate lead time.
If you are also in the process of completing AHPRA registration for new GPs joining your practice, coordinate the timing carefully. New practitioners need to be fully registered before they can be included in your practice’s accreditation assessment.
How HCPA Supports GP Accreditation
As Regulatory Growth Consultants, the HCPA team has guided hundreds of practices through accreditation with both AGPAL and QPA. We provide impartial guidance on selecting the right accreditation body for your circumstances, and we support you through every stage of the process, from gap analysis and documentation through to assessment preparation and post-assessment corrective actions.
Our consultants have direct experience with both accreditation bodies and can advise on the practical differences you will encounter. Whether you are a new practice preparing for your first accreditation or an established practice switching accreditation bodies, HCPA provides the expertise to make the process as smooth as possible.
Explore our GP clinic registration services to see how we support practices through accreditation and beyond.
Talk with our consultants to discuss your accreditation options and get a clear plan of action.
