Establish mandatory training for general practitioners in family violence training through professional development

The Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council approves registration standards under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law 2009. Under the National Law, the Medical Board of Australia prepares and brings forward registration standards or changes to standards to the Ministerial Council. Approval of any proposed registration standard requires the consensus of Health Ministers.

The Victorian Minister for Health has raised this recommendation directly with the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council, asking it to support Victoria's efforts to establish a mandatory requirement that general practitioners complete family violence training as part of their continuing professional development.

The Minister has also written to the Medical Board of Australia, the Royal Australia College of General Practitioners, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency seeking their support to ensure all general practitioners have training in family violence.

At the meeting on 4 August 2017, COAG Health Council Ministers agreed to commit to working with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) to develop and implement a national training package building on progress to date in Victoria. The work will build on preliminary work Victoria began through HWPC to consider options for strengthening medical practitioner’s ability to respond to family violence.

While this recommendation has been implemented, in August the Council of Australian Governments Health Council agreed to continue work towards ensuring all general practitioners have the training and capabilities required to respond to the needs of patients and families in relation to family violence, including work with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.