There are three core goals against which the standards are set. For the standards click here.

Goal 1: The hospital ensures prevocational trainees have the appropriate knowledge, skills and supervision to provide quality patient care

Goal 2: The hospital provides a wide range of educational and training opportunities for prevocational trainees to ensure that they are competent and safe

Goal 3: The hospital promotes the welfare and interests of prevocational trainees.

The standards support each goal. To fulfill the goal a hospital must comply with the objectives defined in the standard.

Within each standard there are also the following:

• Criteria - the specific actions required to achieve each standard. 
• Specific Requirements - mandatory actions that support the criteria.
• Guidelines - these provide further explanation of the standards and criteria. These actions are not mandatory but may assist the hospital in fulfilling the criteria.

The four rating points that are within the standards are summarised below.   

Low Achievement  
Requirements of standard / criterion scarcely met. Minimal effort made by the hospital to address the standard / criterion.

Moderate Achievement 
The requirements of the standard / criterion are generally met in most circumstances.

Extensive Achievement
The requirements of the standard / criterion are well met in the majority of circumstances and have been for some time.

Outstanding Achievement 
The requirements of the standard / criterion are fully met in all circumstances and have been for some time. Innovation and improvement are evident.