2026 President election

The RACGP > Elections > RACGP elections > President Election
Last updated 8 May 2026

About the RACGP President role

The RACGP President is elected by members to provide strong leadership, represent and advocate for the profession while supporting the College’s strategic and governance responsibilities. The role plays a central part in ensuring the voice of members is reflected in the direction and decision-making of the College.

The role of the President – what’s involved 

The President is an elected role under the RACGP Constitution serves as a representative of both College and its members. In addition to this representative function, the President also serves as a Director on the RACGP Board and carries the associated legal and governance responsibilities and duties.     

The Board’s role is one of stewardship on behalf of the RACGP’s members and stakeholders. It is responsible for ensuring the College fulfils its charitable purpose, meets its legal obligations consistent with best practice corporate governance, and remains sustainable into the future. In undertaking this role, the Board is committed to maintaining and continually strengthening excellence in governance.

During the next term, the President will support the work of the Future Governance Committee, which is focused on modernising the RACGP Constitution and strengthening the Board’s structure to better serve members into the future.

In this capacity, the President represents members at the highest level of the organisation and plays a key role in shaping strategic decisions that influence the future of general practice in Australia.

Key responsibilities of the President include:

  • Serve as the principal public representative and spokesperson of the RACGP in line with Board-approved policy and strategy.  
  • Represent the College in high-level engagements with state and federal governments, other medical colleges including the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC), and key international forums, including WONCA and MoU partner colleges. 
  • Advocate for high-quality general practice, education, training and professional standards. 
  • Foster trust and connection with members across metropolitan, rural and remote contexts. 
  • Promote the College’s purpose, strategy and charitable objectives. 
  • Support leadership continuity by mentoring and onboarding the President-elect.

Elections timetable

Activity Opens Closes
Presidential notice of election and nominations open and accepted Monday 22 June 2026 Monday 20 July 20264.00 pm AEST
Presidential candidates announced Friday 24 July 2026 —
Presidential candidate campaigning period Friday 24 July 202612.00 pm AEST Friday 21 August 202612.00 pm AEST
President election voting Tuesday 11 August 202612.00 pm AEST Friday 21 August 202612.00 pm AEST
Presidential candidate Q&A webinar Tuesday 18 August 20267.30 pm AEST —
President-elect announced Monday 24 August 2026 —
President-elect takes office Thursday 19 November 2026At the Annual General Meeting —

Important documents

Notice of RACGP President election
→
President position description
→
President election candidate nomination form Available 22 June 2026
RACGP Constitution
→
RACGP Elections Policy
→
RACGP Member Code of Conduct
→
RACGP Spokesperson Policy
→
RACGP Social Media Policy
→

Important information for the nomination process

If you’re considering nominating for the President-elect, thank you. Strong leadership is essential to shaping the future of general practice. Below are all the key requirements for submitting a complete and valid nomination. 

Nominations and supporting material must be received before Monday 20 July 2026, 4.00 pm (AEST). Submissions received after this time cannot be accepted.  

An overview of the role of the President are outlined under ‘The role of the President – what’s involved’ at the top of this page. More detailed requirements are also available in the President position description. We encourage all prospective candidates to read both before submitting a nomination.

Only current Fellows of the RACGP can be nominated for the role of President. 

Nominations must be supported by two eligible RACGP Fellows or Members. These supporters must be listed on the nomination form to be valid.

To nominate, candidates must:

  • complete a President nomination form
  • have form signed by two eligible supporters, and
  • and countersign the form.

To meet constitutional obligations, candidates must also provide: 

To help members make an informed choice, candidates may wish to supply the following supporting materials. These must be provided before the nomination is assessed as valid.

For distribution with ballot materials and publication on the RACGP website:

  • a statement (up to 2,000 words)
  • a colour photograph of yourself (min 600 x 600 pixels, jpg format).

For publication on the RACGP website:

  • a curriculum vitae (up to 2,000 words; no home address)
  • a video (up to five minutes, including transcript).

Nominations and supporting candidate materials must be lodged with the Returning Officer by Monday 20 July 2026, 4.00 pm(AEST)via email or mail.

Submissions received after the closing time will not be accepted.

Email to: elections@racgp.org.au

Mail to:
Mr Gavin Ryan (RACGP Returning Officer)
OGL Group
10–12 Gwynne Street, Cremorne, VIC, 3121

Eligible voters are Fellows, Members and Registrar Associates of the RACGP. 

The voting period for the RACGP President election is from Tuesday 11 August 2026, 12.00 pm (AEST) until Friday 21 August 2026, 12.00 pm (AEST). 

Eligible voters will receive an email from the Returning Officer at OGL Group sent from elections@racgp.org.au. The email will include details to access your unique voting link to submit your vote in the election. During the voting period, you may receive reminder emails from the Returning Officer if you have not submitted your vote. 

Any questions about the voting process can be directed to the Returning Officer at elections@racgp.org.au.  

All ballots are determined on a standard preferential voting basis.

This video explains the voting process at the RACGP in further detail.

How the voting process works:

  • All first‑preference votes are counted. If one candidate receives more than half of the total votes, they are elected.
  • If no one has a majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is removed.
  • Votes for the removed candidate are reassigned to the next preferred candidate listed on the ballot.
  • The count continues in rounds, with the lowest‑polling candidate removed each time and their votes redistributed.
  • This process repeats until one candidate holds more than half of the remaining votes.
  • That candidate is then declared elected.

OGL Group has been appointed as the Returning Officer for the RACGP in 2026.  

The Returning Officer is responsible for the administration of all Ballot and must work with the RACGP to ensure the integrity, accuracy, and transparency of the election process.  

The RACGP is responsible for ensuring the Returning Officer’s powers and duties are clearly defined, understood and sufficient to administer all aspects of the elections.  

Candidates, along with all RACGP members, have access to a GP support program through Telus Health as part of their membership benefits.  

Telus Health can be reached 24/7 on 1300 361 008 as required by candidates. Any contact with the GP support services is dealt with under the strictest confidence by Telus Health.