Staff Training & Orientation Policy Template for Australian General Practices

What's in this template?

This staff training and orientation policy covers the full training lifecycle for general practice staff. It maps to RACGP Criterion C8.1, Education and training of non-clinical staff and covers 15 sections:

1. Purpose: supporting safe, competent practice through structured training
2. Scope: all staff (GPs, nurses, admin, cleaners, locums, students, volunteers)
3. Roles and Responsibilities: Training Coordinator, Practice Principal, all staff
4. Induction and Orientation: general orientation (practice overview, IT, confidentiality), safety orientation (emergency, WHS, IPC), role-specific orientation (clinical, reception, cleaning), registrar/student orientation
5. Induction Checklist: signed completion record for each new starter
6. Mandatory Training: annual requirements (IPC, hand hygiene, CPR, fire safety, WHS, privacy, cultural safety) plus role-specific (sterilisation, cold chain, chaperone, ISBAR, complaints, first aid)
7. Continuing Professional Development: GP/nurse CPD requirements, non-clinical staff development
8. Performance Reviews: probation review, annual review process, training needs identification
9. Training Register: what to track, monthly review for due dates
10. Training Methods: face-to-face, online, external courses, peer learning, self-directed, on-the-job coaching
11. Locum and Contractor Orientation: abbreviated orientation checklist
12. Student Placement: supervision, patient consent, assessment requirements
13. Monitoring and Review: quarterly completion rates, annual policy review
14. Related Policies: cross-references to IPC, Emergency, WHS, Privacy, Chaperone, Handover, Cold Chain, Complaints
15. Review History

Editable placeholder fields

• {{ }}Practice name{{practice_name}}, {{ }}ABN{{abn}}, {{ }}Practice address{{practice_address}}, {{ }}Phone{{phone}}, {{ }}Email{{email}}
• {{ }}Training coordinator name{{training_coordinator_name}}, {{ }}Practice principal name{{practice_principal_name}}
• {{ }}Performance reviewer role{{performance_reviewer_role}}: who conducts performance reviews
• {{ }}Review date{{review_date}}, {{ }}Next review date{{next_review_date}}

How to customise this template

1. Download and fill in all {{ }}Placeholder{{placeholder}} fields
2. Create your induction checklist as an appendix. List every induction item with checkboxes
3. Set up your training register: a spreadsheet tracking each staff member, training completed, and due dates
4. Map your mandatory training schedule: plan which training happens in which month
5. Identify training providers: online platforms (e.g. Hand Hygiene Australia, Strive for 5) and local CPD opportunities

Related templates

• Abuse and Violence Response Policy: role-appropriate training in recognising and responding to family, domestic and sexual violence, which the RACGP 6th edition adds as criterion F4.C. It carries its own training and assurance record, or the training can be logged in the register this policy sets up.
• Staff Orientation and Induction Checklist: the signed per-starter checklist that sits under section 5 of this policy.
• Triage Policy and Protocol: triage training at induction and refresher, which the RACGP 6th edition (criterion PP9.A) puts under a named clinical team member. It carries its own training record, or the training can be logged in the register this policy sets up.

Frequently asked questions

Does this only cover non-clinical staff?

No. While RACGP Criterion C8.1 specifically addresses non-clinical staff education, this template covers all staff including GPs, nurses, and allied health. Clinical staff CPD is managed through RACGP/ACRRM/NMBA requirements, but the practice still needs to ensure mandatory training (IPC, fire safety, WHS) is completed by everyone.

What mandatory training is required annually?

At minimum: infection prevention and control, hand hygiene, CPR/BLS (clinical staff), fire safety/evacuation, WHS, and privacy. Additional role-specific training includes sterilisation, cold chain, and chaperone training.

Can I use this for AGPAL or QPA accreditation?

Yes. Surveyors will check for a documented training policy, induction records, a training register showing mandatory training completion, and evidence of ongoing staff development.