Training site accreditation
Accreditation – the basics
Training settings (including hospitals and private sites) that would like to offer training in orthopaedic surgery must apply to AOA for accreditation of one or more training posts. AOA assesses each training setting on a range of criteria to ensure that the site is appropriately equipped to provide education and training opportunities in accordance with the AOA 21 curriculum and Training Program requirements. Training settings will be assessed against accreditation criteria as follows:
Accreditation is changing
In January 2026, we advised that AOA would be progressively aligning its accreditation framework with the national model accreditation standards and procedures developed through the NHPO review process.
The AOA Accreditation of Training Settings Procedures, aligned with the Model Procedures, were released at that time.
We are pleased to advise that the updated Model Standards for Accreditation of Training Settings for the AOA 21 Training Program are now available.
The new Model Standards will apply to accreditation reviews from 2027 onwards. As previously communicated, the new Standards do not increase accreditation requirements for Training Settings but rather reorganise existing requirements to align with the national framework and improve consistency and transparency across all medical colleges.
The Model Standards can be applied in the context of each specialty training program; AOA has determined that College-specific requirements or additions to intent statements are not required for orthopaedic surgery. Instead, the orthopaedic context will be determined via collection of evidence relevant to the requirements of the training program. Guidance for training sites is provided within the documentation.
In the lead up to 2027 reviews, the AOA Procedures will be updated to refer to the Model Standards (rather than the current AOA standards as is presently the case), however other aspects of the Procedures will not materially change.
These changes will support a more consistent, transparent and nationally aligned accreditation framework, while maintaining the high standards of orthopaedic training across Australia.
More information about the NHPO Project can be found here.
Accreditation standards – 2026
NB: This section applies for the remainder of 2026 at which time accreditation reviews will be assessed against the new Model Standards for Accreditation of Training Settings for the AOA 21 Training Program in Orthopaedic Surgery.
The AOA Accreditation Standards for Hospitals and Training Positions have been developed to ensure that all orthopaedic training sites meet the appropriate standards for delivery of the AOA 21 Training Program. The Standards document outlines the standards and criteria considered essential for the learning environment of orthopaedic surgery trainees. All hospitals, orthopaedic surgery departments and training positions will be assessed and monitored according to these standards.
The primary aims are:
- to ensure the collective delivery of education and training is appropriate for a doctor to achieve specialist registration in orthopaedic surgery; and
- to promote continuous quality improvement of training sites accredited for this purpose.
The AOA
Accreditation Standards for Hospitals and Training Positions can be downloaded from the link below.
The following policies are referred to in the Standards:
Accreditation standards – 2027 onwards
Accreditation Reviews undertaken from the start of 2027 onwards will be assessed against the Model Standards for Accreditation of Training Settings for the AOA 21 Training Program in Orthopaedic Surgery.
The model standards have been developed in consultation with colleges, jurisdictions and training settings to cover all relevant outcomes of specialist medical training. They can be applied in the context of each specialty training program, with each college collecting evidence relevant to its requirements.
The model standards are outcomes based. The standards articulate an outcome that a training setting must achieve to meet a standard, not the process by which the setting is required to achieve it. Outcomes-based standards provide training settings with the flexibility to meet accreditation requirements in a way that best suits their environment, resources and individual circumstances, without compromising training outcomes.
All training settings will be assessed and monitored according to these Model Standards. The primary aims of the accreditation process are to ensure that the collective delivery of education and training is appropriate for a doctor to achieve specialist registration in orthopaedic surgery, and to promote continuous quality improvement of training sites accredited for this purpose.
The accreditation review process
Detailed information regarding the AOA Accreditation Review Process can be found in the document below:
For more information on the accreditation process, please contact the AOA Accreditation Team (details below).
List of accredited hospitals and training positions
A list of all training settings currently accredited for delivery of AOA 21 training is available below. This list is subject to change.
Role descriptions for AOA positions
Contact
For more information regarding accreditation, please contact the AOA accreditation team.
Concerns or complaints?
AOA understands that training environments are complex, with many factors subject to regular change. If you have concerns about the outcome of your review, if the accreditation team has missed important information, or if an error has been made, please reach out to the AOA accreditation team on the details above as soon as possible. Accreditation is an iterative process; the Accreditation Committee will consider additional information at the earliest opportunity.
If you are seeking an accreditation decision to be overturned or changed following exhaustion of exchanges with the Accreditation or Federal Training Committees, you should seek this outcome through the
AOA Reconsideration, Review and Appeals Policy.
AOA welcomes feedback on the Accreditation process, and this can be submitted at any time on the details above. To lodge a formal complaint regarding the conduct of the Accreditation process please refer to the
Complaints Handling Policy.
Information about making a complaint to the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman regarding training site accreditation is available on the
Complaints to the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman re Accreditation PDF.
AOA staff are available to assist with navigating these processes as needed. Please contact us on the details above should you have any questions or concerns.