The Australian Medical Council (AMC) is undertaking a review of the approved Accreditation Standards for medical schools and their program of study. The AMC is now seeking stakeholder comment on the proposed revised Standards. The period of consultation will run for eight weeks.

This current review proposes no changes to the overall purpose of accreditation, which is the recognition of medical programs that produce graduates competent to practise safely and effectively under supervision as interns in Australia and New Zealand, and with an appropriate foundation for lifelong learning and for further training in any branch of medicine. It also proposes no changes to the division of the Accreditation Standards into eight major subgroups of Standards. It does better integrate the statement of expectations of graduates with the Standards. It also adds some additional sub-standards and changes the wording of some Standards to improve clarity and consistency.

Download an information paper on the review and the proposed changes to the Accreditation Standards (PDF 200KB).

The AMC reviews the Accreditation Standards in full every five years. It consults stakeholders. It reviews relevant national and international reports and policies relating to education and training in medicine and takes account of relevant accreditation standards in countries with comparable education and practice standards. It also reviews AMC accreditation reports and committee reports. 

The AMC now also takes account of the Procedures for the Development of Accreditation Standards that apply to the AMC’s authorisation as the accreditation authority for medicine under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009 (the National Law).

In putting forward a proposal for new or amended accreditation standards, an accreditation authority must be satisfied that the proposal take into account the objectives and guiding principles in the National Law. In addition, the AMC is expected to make a broad assessment of the proposed Standards against the Council of Australian Governments’ principles for best practice regulation, and make this assessment available during the consultation process.

Download the AMC's broad assessment of the proposed standards against the Council of Australian Governments’ principles (PDF 330KB).

Stakeholders are invited to identify any impact on the goals and objectives of the National Law, or any regulatory impacts which may arise due to the implementation of the proposed Standards in their feedback to the Australian Medical Council.

The AMC welcomes feedback from stakeholders on the proposed new Standards and is seeking comments by 17 August 2012.

Download the proposed revised standards (PDF 308KB).

Download a comparative table of the current and proposed standards (PDF 377KB).

Please provide your comments on the proposed changes either by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by mail to:

AMC Accreditation Section (Standards Review)
PO Box 4810
Kingston ACT 2604

The AMC will keep stakeholders informed of any additional changes it makes as a result of stakeholder feedback.