Representatives

The RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care oversees the RACGP’s representatives’ program and the majority of representative appointments.

Requests for representation come from various organisations, including from federal government committees. The RACGP’s Representatives and Endorsements Coordinator will provide you with information regarding the committee to which you have been appointed. This includes tenure and background information.

The requesting organisation will then contact you directly to send meeting papers and arrange travel and sitting fees, as necessary.

The RACGP always advises requesting organisations that, because our representatives are not salaried members of staff and time away from practice comes at a personal financial cost, sitting fees are required and should be paid directly to each representative.

For appointments where the RACGP has agreed to cover sitting fees, the Representatives and Endorsements Coordinator will send a Statement of Works (SoW) for your approval via PayGP.

The RACGP’s Representative and Endorsements Coordinator is your first point of contact for any information you require, and as needed will direct you to other individuals within the RACGP for advice.

We also have a highly experienced representative available as a mentor.

You can contact the Representatives and Endorsements Coordinator at repsandendorsements@racgp.org.au or on 03 8699 0334.

As a representative of the RACGP, you must:

• declare any conflict of interest, or if one arises during your term of appointment, advise the RACGP and the committee
• present the views of the RACGP and be familiar with key RACGP policies and publications (see below)
• contribute actively to discussions and decision-making processes
• be aware of the RACGP endorsement and approvals process (see below)
• comply with the RACGP Member Code of Conduct
• always consult with the RACGP before making any commitments on the RACGP’s behalf
• provide feedback to the RACGP Representatives and Endorsements Coordinator after each meeting, using the feedback form provided (See Providing feedback to the RACGP section below)   

It is important to be well prepared for meetings:

• Ensure you understand the aim and scope of the committee, including method of operation.
• Familiarise yourself with relevant RACGP submissions, policies and guidelines.
• Seek clarification from the RACGP on any matters or potential issues you are unsure about.
• Clarify any confidentiality requirements before you commence your appointment.
• Clarify positions and actions to be taken.
• Ensure you are given the necessary time to consult with the RACGP as required.
• If you cannot attend a meeting, contact the Representatives and Endorsements Coordinator to discuss alternative arrangements.

Carefully consider and be attentive to how the work of your committee will affect the:

• scope of general practice
• funding of general practice
• everyday practice of general practitioners (GPs) and their teams

After attending any meetings, workshops or other activities as an RACGP representative, please provide feedback to the RACGP Representatives and Endorsements Coordinator using the feedback form below.

If appropriate, please also provide any electronic meeting papers such as agendas, minutes, or briefing papers.

Email the Representatives and Endorsements Coordinator at repsandendorsements@racgp.org.au

Download the Feedback form

Representatives are often asked to facilitate RACGP endorsement of committee outputs, such as clinical resources.

Having an RACGP representative consulted on, or involved in the development of a resource does not guarantee a resource will receive RACGP endorsement or approval and this should be made clear at the beginning of your term of appointment.

There is a formal process for approving external clinical resources.

The RACGP evaluates clinical resources against its assessment criteria (RACGP guideline assessment tool) to ensure the resource is relevant to general practice and is of high quality. To cover the costs of this process, the RACGP usually charges the requesting organisation a fee.

If this process reveals differences between the RACGP position and the requesting organisation’s resource, collaboration will ensure an appropriate outcome is achieved.

All requests for RACGP endorsement/approval must be sent to the RACGP Representatives and Endorsements Coordinator at repsandendorsements@racgp.org.au

There are three levels of RACGP approval:

1. Endorsement of guidelines

The RACGP only endorses clinical guidelines that are produced to National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) standards, using GRADE level evidence.

2. Approval as an accepted clinical resource

he RACGP provides approval as an accepted clinical resource when a resource is considered a useful contribution to general practice but it is not produced to NHMRC guideline standards.

3. Supported position

A document may be approved as an RACGP-supported position statement if the RACGP considers the resource:

• is a consensus and/or position statement
• does not contradict the RACGP’s position in an existing resource, and
• has a favourable assessment using an RACGP appraisal instrument.

Further information on the endorsements process is available on the RACGP website.

It is important that you are familiar with key RACGP polices and guidelines. They represent the RACGP’s position in these areas. They are also an excellent source of information and demonstrate the breadth of the RACGP’s interests and expertise.

The RACGP 2025-2029 Strategy

The RACGP 2025-2029 Strategy outlines the key steps required to position Australia’s heatlhcare system for long-term success.

The Vision for general practice and a sustainable healthcare system
The Vision for general practice and a sustainable healthcare system (the Vision) is a framework for excellence in healthcare and provides the solution to address a range of issues and pressures currently facing the Australian healthcare system. The Vision demonstrates how a well-supported general practice team can deliver sustainable, equitable, high-value healthcare, benefiting patients, providers and funders. It is centred on evidence and experience-based recommendations regarding how the entire system can be improved.

General Practice: Health of the Nation
The General Practice: Health of the Nation report is the only annual report that provides insights into the state of general practice in Australia. Incorporating data from a nationwide survey of general practitioners, the report examines current and emerging health issues and patient access to care, as well as profiling the workforce, job satisfaction and business of general practice.

RACGP 2024-25 Advocacy Plan
The RACGP’s 2024–25 Advocacy Plan has been developed to guide the RACGP through the current period of substantial reform. It will be a compass to ensure our advocacy is clear, consistent, and focused. Its advocacy priorities and objectives have been developed collaboratively between our state and territory based and national faculties, our RACGP expert committees and the College’s own internal expertise.