Australian Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Excellence Initiative

We’re proud to announce that the Australian Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Excellence Initiative – a joint effort between ACRA and SOLVE-CHD – has officially been approved and is now open for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs across Australia.

This national initiative aims to recognise, celebrate, and promote excellence in cardiac rehabilitation, driving improvements in quality, consistency, and visibility across services. It aligns with ACRA’s strategic priorities and builds on the momentum of two major national efforts:

    • The Australian Cardiac Rehabilitation Quality Indicators
    • The Clinician Certification Initiative (launched in August 2024)

Our Vision

To strengthen cardiac rehabilitation services nationwide by recognising high-quality programs, supporting those on an upward trajectory, and inspiring continuous improvement.

Key Focus Areas

This initiative targets three priority areas identified by the national coordinating group:

1. Clinician Certification – programs with certified CR clinicians
2. Data Collection & Systems – improved access to and use of local and national CR data
3. Program Excellence Recognition – celebrating programs that meet agreed Australian quality standards

What's Involved

  • CR programs are invited to submit an Expression of Interest via our online form
  • Eligible programs will be recognised for meeting national quality standards, with the first awards presented at the 2026 ACRA ASM
  • Selected exemplar programs will be featured in national case studies, highlighting excellence in diverse settings – including rural, remote, Indigenous, and digital models of care
  • Ongoing support will be provided to help programs enhance their quality and achieve recognition in future rounds

Benefits of Recognition

  • National visibility through ACRA and SOLVE-CHD communications
  • A digital Program Excellence badge for use on program materials and websites
  • Opportunities to contribute to national cardiac rehabilitation quality improvement efforts
  • Case study promotion and conference recognition

FAQs

Have more questions? Check out these Frequently Asked Questions or contact us at solve-chd.info@sydney.edu.au

Get Involved Today

EOIs are now open to all Australian CR programs. Whether your program is already achieving excellence or is on the path to it, we encourage you to apply and be part of this national movement to strengthen cardiac rehabilitation.

📅 Launch Date: August 2025 at ACRA ASM
🏆 First Awards: August 2026

Submit your EOI
Webinar: ACRA Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Excellence Initiative

On 9th September, ACRA hosted a national webinar on the CR Program Excellence Initiative where we went through the EOI process together, explained the specific targets for each criteria, and answered many great questions. You can view the entire webinar below with the passcode =mu.9abJ

Watch Webinar