Welcome to the first edition of the HPAC Forum Sector Update

Since 2007, the Forum has brought together leaders from across Australia’s health accreditation community to collaborate, share insight and strengthen practice. While that work has continued steadily over time, this is our first dedicated publication.

We are starting modestly, with the intention of building this update into a regular snapshot of priorities, progress and innovation across the accreditation sector. We hope this edition offers a useful window into the HPAC Forum’s current focus and signals our commitment to greater visibility and shared learning in the years ahead.

A Strong Start to 2026: Clarity, Collaboration and Confidence

The HPAC Forum (the Forum) commenced 2026 with energy and focus at our February meeting, bringing together leaders from across the accreditation community and our colleagues from Ahpra and the Independent Accreditation Committee.

A key theme of the meeting was clarity: of purpose, of governance, and of the role of accreditation within the National Scheme.

Image: left, Mr Jonathon Kruger, right, Dr Louise McCall

Strengthening our foundations

Members considered revisions to the HPAC Forum Terms of Reference, with important refinements to:

Reinforce the value of efficiency and alignment where possible, while recognising the differing risk profiles of professions
Clarify decision-making processes
Support continuity through staggered office bearer terms

We were also delighted to welcome Mr Jonathon Kruger, CEO of Australian Dental Council, as the new Chair and Dr Louise McCall, Chair of Medical Radiation Practice Accreditation Committee as Deputy Chair. This was their first Forum meeting in these roles, and their leadership will be central to guiding the Forum’s work and continuing our focus on collaboration, clarity, and confidence.

The Forum also agreed that appointing an Independent Chair will further strengthen the Forum’s credibility and enable the role to act squarely in the interests of the Forum as a whole. This marks an important evolution in the Forum’s governance maturity and will position us well for the work ahead.

Accreditation in a changing environment

We were pleased to hear directly from Mr Justin Untersteiner, CEO of Ahpra, and Mr Mark Edwards, Executive Director People & Culture, who shared insights from the forthcoming National Scheme Strategy. The discussion highlighted important directions for the Scheme and signalled opportunities, including in accreditation.

Accreditation authorities were acknowledged as critical partners in the National Scheme, delivering a quality, sustainable and culturally safe health workforce. Forum Members reinforced that accreditation has a central role not only in workforce sustainability, but also in enabling innovation while maintaining public confidence in safety.

We were also joined by Professor Andrew Wilson, Chair of the Independent Accreditation Committee, for a thoughtful discussion on the evolving role of accreditation. Conversations explored the importance of outcomes-based approaches, the risks of over-centralisation, and the need to articulate both what is common, and what must remain profession-specific, across accreditation systems.

Image: left to right, Mr Jonathon Kruger, Dr Louise McCall, Professor Andrew Wilson, Ms Amelia Druhan

Strategic focus for 2026–2028

The Forum has engaged Fit Strategy to support development of the HPAC Forum’s 2026–2028 Strategic Plan. Members and stakeholders will participate in surveys and interviews over the coming months, culminating in a strategic planning workshop at the April meeting.

This work will provide an opportunity to take a ‘deep dive’ into what Members want the Forum to be in the next phase of its development, and how we can best contribute to the effectiveness of accreditation within the National Scheme.

Continuing collaboration

Across our standing committees and working groups, work continues at pace:

Exploring common assessor training through the Accreditation Managers Subcommittee
Working in partnership with the Independent Accreditation Committee secretariat to align accreditation terminology through a shared glossary
Progressing our Interprofessional Education Project
Advancing work on the impact of artificial intelligence on accreditation
Partnering with Adelaide University to evaluate health program accreditation processes and opportunities for efficiency
Providing practical implementation advice on Ahpra’s Common Capabilities in Digital Health, and responding to Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Throughout our work, a consistent message emerges: accreditation authorities are committed to working collaboratively, sharing intelligence, and contributing constructively to reform, while maintaining the integrity and independence that underpins public confidence.

As we move into 2026, the HPAC Forum remains focused on being both a steady hand and a forward-looking partner within the National Scheme.

Warm regards,
Amelia Druhan
Executive Officer, HPAC Forum

EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Empowering voices: Educating health professionals for respectful and inclusive conversations

Everyone deserves to feel heard in healthcare. Let’s equip future professionals with the skills to make that happen.

This year's IPE Colloquium™, hosted by the Australian Pharmacy Council, focuses on building skills and confidence to communicate inclusively across abilities, identities, cultures, and experiences. The program will showcase approaches that help educators model inclusive conversations, challenge systemic barriers, and prepare students.

See program and register

Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice Award

Nominations open 16 March 2026

The Australian Medical Council and the Australian and New Zealand Association for Health Professional Education are proud to launch a new award that recognises the vital role of interprofessional collaborative practice in delivering high-quality healthcare and the importance of interprofessional education in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals.

This award celebrates an outstanding individual or team demonstrating excellence or innovation in health professions education that advances interprofessional collaborative care, with medical education as a component.

Learn more

Sign up to receive updates about the award.

The HPAC Forum is All In for National Reconciliation Week 2026.

This week invites all Australians to learn more about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to reflect on how each of us can contribute to reconciliation in Australia. This year’s theme, All In, reminds us that reconciliation is not a spectator sport - it calls on all of us to step off the sidelines and play a part in creating meaningful change. Each of us has a role to play, and it is not solely the responsibility of First National People.

If you’re looking for ways to get involved, the Reconciliation Australia website offers a range of ideas and resources to help you go All In.

Have an event, update or opportunity to share? We welcome submissions - please email info@hpacf.org.au

WORK IN ACCREDITATION

Accreditation plays a vital role in assuring the quality of health professional education and assessment in Australia. Those who work in the sector contribute to a shared goal: ensuring the health workforce is well prepared to provide safe, high-quality care to the communities they serve.

Several accreditation authorities have openings available now. Explore these links to find your next opportunity.

Did you know?

The Health Professions Accreditation Collaborative (HPAC) Forum brings together leaders and expertise from across Australia’s health accreditation community to strengthen collaboration, share insights, and support high-quality, innovative accreditation practices. Our Members include representatives from all accreditation authorities within the National Regulation and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS)