The fifth edition of Good Medical Practice: Professionalism, Ethics and Law was launched today, reaffirming its place as a critical resource for the medical profession in Australia.
Over time, Good Medical Practice has established itself as an indispensable guide for doctors at every stage of their professional journey—from medical students and trainees to experienced clinicians.
It is also a valuable resource for international medical graduates, regulators, educators and members of the public seeking to understand the standards that underpin medical practice in Australia.
This new edition addresses both emerging challenges and enduring ethical questions. New chapters explore contemporary issues such as telehealth regulation, data privacy and cross-jurisdictional practice. At the same time, it revisits foundational topics—including confidentiality, informed consent and end-of-life care—through fresh perspectives shaped by recent legal developments.
Importantly, the guide foregrounds the ethical and professional imperative of cultural safety. It acknowledges the historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and affirms the responsibility of doctors to promote health equity and deliver respectful, culturally safe care.
Authored by a diverse range of experts—including doctors, health consumers, other health practitioners, lawyers, academics, administrators and regulators—the books is an indispensable guide to contemporary medical practice in Australia today.
The book also reflects feedback from community stakeholders, including patients, carers and consumer advocates. “Their voices remind us that good medical practice is not defined solely by professional standards but by the experiences and outcomes of those we serve,” said AMC President Professor Geoff McColl.
“As medicine continues to evolve, so too must our understanding of what it means to be a good doctor. This edition challenges doctors to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, to navigate ethical complexity with integrity, and to engage with the law as a framework for accountability and justice.”
No guide can be definitive or final. Professionalism, ethics and law are living domains, shaped by new knowledge, changing contexts and the collective wisdom of the profession and the community. “We offer this edition not as a prescription but as a companion—one that supports doctors in their lifelong commitment to good practice,” said Professor McColl.
Good Medical Practice: Professionalism, Ethics and Law is available in print and as an eBook and can be purchased online through major retailers in Australia, New Zealand and internationally.
The fifth edition brings together 47 contributors, supported by an editorial panel comprising Helen Milroy AM, Anne Tonkin AO, Theanne Walters AM and Tim Wilkinson.
The late Dr Greg Kesby AM served as editor-in-chief of this 2026 edition and helped shape the publication until his passing in 2021.
