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Governance reform FAQs
1. What is the purpose of the governance reform project?
The Governance Reform project is designed to create a contemporary, transparent, compliant and efficient governance framework that is easier to understand and better able to support the College’s strategic priorities. It will strengthen decision-making, accountability and reporting, reduce unnecessary complexity, and help ensure governance arrangements are clear, consistent and fit for the future.
2. Why is governance reform needed now?
Reform is needed because the College must address governance issues identified through the 2023 AMC accreditation process, subsequent updates in 2025, internal reviews and member feedback. Together, these findings show that the current system can be too complex, inconsistent and administratively burdensome. Reform will help the College meet accreditation and regulatory expectations, clarify accountability and ensure governance better supports strategic delivery.
3. What are the main challenges with the current governance system?
- Complex and duplicated committee structures
- Unclear roles, reporting lines and decision rights
- Gaps in representation and member voice
- High administrative effort without clear outcomes
- Inconsistent links between governance, accountability and strategic delivery
4. What will the reform deliver?
- A clearer and more transparent governance framework
- Stronger accountability, decision-making and reporting
- Better alignment between governance and the College’s strategic priorities
- More consistent support for members, committees and staff
- Reduced duplication and administrative burden where possible
- Greater confidence that the College is meeting accreditation and regulatory requirements
5. Who is leading the reform?
The Board has established the Governance Reform Taskforce (GRT) to oversee the reform. The Governance Reform Working Party (GRWP) supports this work by mapping the current system, developing options and helping plan implementation. Together, they are working to deliver a governance model that is clearer, more accountable and more sustainable.
6. How will communication and consultation work?
The College will provide regular, clear and accessible updates about what is changing, why it matters and how people can contribute. Communication will include web updates, newsletters, briefings and other targeted materials. Consultation will focus on areas that are open to feedback, with structured opportunities for members, staff and stakeholders to ask questions, test ideas and provide input. The College will also report back on how feedback has been considered.
7. What stage is the reform currently at?
The project is currently focused on Phase 2, which is centred on communication, targeted consultation and testing of governance design options. This phase will inform refinement of the governance framework before it is presented at the College AGM during Congress in May 2027. Following that milestone, implementation is expected to continue through a staged plan aligned with the Strategic Plan.
8. What principles guide the reform?
- Transparency about progress, rationale and decision points
- Consistency in messaging across the College
- Accessibility for different audiences and contexts
- An evidence-based approach informed by reviews, accreditation findings and feedback
- Clear distinction between what is open to consultation and what is not
9. How will member and stakeholder feedback be used?
Feedback will be used to test proposals, identify practical risks, clarify impacts and improve the final governance design where options are open to change. The College’s approach is to engage purposefully, capture and analyse input, and communicate back on what has been heard and how it has influenced decisions. This is intended to strengthen trust, reduce confusion and support implementation readiness.
10. When will the new governance framework be presented?
A key milestone is presentation of the proposed governance framework at the RANZCP Congress in May 2027. Before then, the College will continue consultation and refinement. Implementation will then proceed in stages, supported by ongoing communication, change management and evaluation.
