Program of study accreditation complaints

The accreditation of programs of study is one of the main ways that the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme) fulfils its objective of providing high-quality education and training of health practitioners.

From January 2023, our office began assisting with complaints about accreditation functions in the National Scheme that are exercised by accreditation authorities. This includes accepting complaints about the accreditation of programs of study.

All Boards have appointed an accreditation authority to undertake accreditation functions related to programs of study in the National Scheme. Program accreditation processes centre on an accreditation authority assessing whether a program of study (such as a course or training program) should be accredited because it meets the required accreditation standards. Accreditation authorities are also responsible for developing accreditation standards for approval by the National Board. 

The report on an accreditation authority’s decision regarding whether to accredit (with or without conditions) a program of study is provided to the relevant National Board for approval. Once a program of study is approved, students or trainees who complete it are recognised as being qualified for registration.

Accreditation authorities have responsibilities to monitor approved programs of study and to take action if it appears a program of study does not continue to meet the accreditation standards.  

Find out more about accreditation authorities

Program of study accreditation complaints

We can assist with complaints about processes undertaken by accreditation authorities, Ahpra and the National Boards in relation to the accreditation of programs of study. This includes complaints about: 

• the development and approval of accreditation standards 

• assessments of education providers and their program of study against the accreditation standards 

• how an accreditation authority has monitored whether an approved program of study continues to meet the accreditation standards 

• decisions an accreditation authority has made to place conditions on an approved program of study because it is no longer meeting the accreditation standards, or a decision to revoke accreditation 

• how an accreditation authority managed a complaint or application for a review of a decision. 

Complaints about specialist medical training colleges’ training programs 

The Australian Medical Council (AMC) accredits 16 specialist medical colleges and their specialist training programs. The Medical Board of Australia has approved these programs of study as providing a qualification for the purposes of specialist medical registration.

Specialist medical colleges play a unique role in the National Scheme because they provide the only approved programs of study for each medical specialty (called ‘training programs’). Colleges’ training programs are competitive and trainees play an important role in delivering health services when completing the training program. 

We can help with complaints about the delivery of colleges’ training programs. This includes complaints about: 

• entry to and withdrawal from the training program 

• processes and decisions related to the accreditation of a training site (where the training program is delivered) 

• how a college managed a complaint or application for a review of a decision relating to its training program, including complaints from trainees and training sites. 

Find out more about the complaint process

Find out more about the investigation process