The SCARD Surgical Audit CPD Program: 2026 – 2028 Triennium
The SCARD Surgical Audit CPD Program: 2026 – 2028 Triennium
The commencement of the 2026–2028 CPD triennium marks an important milestone for practitioners participating in the SCARD Surgical Audit CPD Program. As professional development requirements continue to evolve, SCARD remains committed to providing a structured, evidence-based audit framework that supports high-quality clinical practice, reflective learning, and measurable improvement in skin cancer management within primary care.
The SCARD Surgical Audit has been recognised by multiple colleges and CPD bodies as a self-auditing and quality improvement activity, enabling practitioners to meet their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) obligations through real-world clinical practice. The program allows eligible participants to accrue CPD hours across Educational Activities, Reviewing Performance, and Measuring Outcomes, aligned with recognised CPD frameworks for the 2026–2028 triennium.
Participants who enrol in and complete the SCARD Surgical Audit CPD Program may be allocated or self-report up to:
-
10 hours of Educational Activities
-
15 hours of Reviewing Performance
-
15 hours of Measuring Outcomes
per calendar year (from the date of enrolment) across the 2026–2028 triennium, provided the program requirements are met. This structure aligns with CPD reporting periods while accommodating the practical use of the SCARD Surgical Audit in clinical practice.
Importantly, there are no CPD participation or reporting fees associated with the SCARD Surgical Audit CPD Program. Practitioners are not charged additional fees to enrol in the CPD program, generate audit reports, or have their completion status recorded by SCARD. This approach ensures that access to meaningful, audit-based CPD remains equitable and focused on improving patient care rather than administrative costs.
To maintain a fee-free CPD program, SCARD decided to withdraw formal accreditation from some colleges. The combined costs of maintaining accreditation across multiple providers exceeded $15,000 over the triennium, making it financially unsustainable without increasing CPD fees. Each previous increase prompted participants to express their anger and frustration toward our team, so this decision to remove fees altogether reflects a commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and the minimisation of financial barriers for participants.
Practitioners continue to have the option to self-report their SCARD Surgical Audit activity, supported by the enhanced recognition of Educational Activities through ACRRM, ensuring that participation in the program remains aligned with recognised CPD pathways.
By continuing to offer a no-fee CPD audit program, SCARD reinforces its commitment to supporting practitioners in delivering safe, effective, and evidence-based skin cancer care. The 2026-2028 triennium provides an opportunity for clinicians to engage in structured self-auditing, demonstrate ongoing professional development, and contribute to collective learning through the SCARD Data Pool—without financial barriers to participation.
For further information, please visit the SCARD Surgical Audit CPD Program page and the SCARD Surgical Audit CPD Program Details page on our website.
