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Peer review groups
Qualified privilege – Australian Peer Review Groups
Qualified privilege covering Australian Peer Review Groups has expired.
An application for the renewal of qualified privilege has been made to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Continued privilege is not guaranteed as each application is considered by the Department against criteria that include whether the qualified privilege will increase participation in the designated activity. As around 95% of psychiatrists participate in one or more Peer Review Groups this criterion is increasingly difficult to meet.
There has been a period from 19 May 2025 where Peer Review Groups in Australia are not covered by qualified privilege, while the DOHAC consider the application.
In practical terms this means members should:
• continue to treat your discussions in PRGs as confidential discussions that do not identify the patient
• not disclose the discussions outside of the PRGs.
The College will continue to keep the membership informed as we work with the department to support maintenance of qualified privilege. For any questions on impact on a peer review group please contact cpdhelp@ranzcp.org
RANZCP Peer Review Groups are small, self-selected groups of peers who meet to review their work in a supportive setting.
Registered Peer Review Groups enjoy qualified privilege under New Zealand legislation.
Group composition
A registered Peer Review Group must include a minimum of three RANZCP Fellows or Affiliates. Fellows or Affiliates should also form the majority of group members.
Non-psychiatrists and non- RANZCP members may also join a Peer Review Group, particularly those who work within the same field or work closely with psychiatrists.
Recording Peer Review Group activity in MyCPD
Peer review activities are recorded in CPD under Section 2: Formal Peer Review Activities.
Running peer review group meetings
All attendance should be recorded in MyCPD. The paper form below is for your convenience during meetings.
Attendance record [PDF; 127 KB]
Guidelines
Peer review group registration guidelines [PDF; 200 KB]
Meeting as a virtual Peer Review Group [PDF; 192 KB]
Resources
