Categorising CPD by learning domains 

Not all CPD activities are created equally

Not sure how to categorise your CPD activities? You’re not alone. Understanding the intent behind the 'learning domains' of the Standard* will help you record activities accurately and confidently.

There are technically two learning domains -- with the second domain split into two parts:

Domain 1 = Minimum 12.5 hours Domain 2 = Minimum 25 hours
1. Educational Activities 2a. Reviewing Performance (min 5 hours)
2b. Measuring Outcomes (min 5 hours)

The minimum total combined number of hours across the two domains is 50 CPD activity hours in a calendar year.

Here’s a quick summary of the learning domains, with a guiding question to ask yourself when categorising your self-recorded CPD activities:

Educational Activities

1. Educational Activities

Ask yourself: Did this activity help me learn something new or deepen my knowledge or skills?

This includes formal and informal learning — such as lectures, workshops, clinical reading, mentoring and postgraduate study — aimed at building your clinical and professional knowledge.

Reviewing Performance

2a. Reviewing Performance

Ask yourself: Did this activity involve reflecting on how I or my team perform in practice, with the goal of improvement?

This might include supervision, peer review, CPD planning and quality assurance — activities that support reflection and continuous improvement.

Measuring Outcomes

2b. Measuring Outcomes

Ask yourself: Did this activity assess the results or impact of care I delivered — for patients, teams, or systems?

This includes clinical audits, patient feedback and research — anything that evaluates the outcomes of your work.

Matrix Icon Quick Reference Matrix

Learning Domain Ask Yourself… Common Activity Types
1. Educational Activities Did I learn or develop a skill? Conferences, courses, podcasts, teaching, mentoring
2a. Reviewing Performance Did I reflect on practice or performance? Peer review, audits, CPD plan, team meetings
2b. Measuring Outcomes Did I assess the outcomes or impact of care? Patient feedback, outcome analysis, quality improvement

View the AMA CPD Home Program Guide 2025 to discover more CPD activity types.

✅ Next step: Log in and self-record your completed CPD activities for each domain with 'supporting evidence' using our logs and templates (available under Resources).


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Read about logs and templates 

*Medical Board of Australia’s (MBA)’s Registration Standard: Continuing professional development (the Standard)