Description
If you would like explore general practice further, find out what life is like as a GP and the benefits of working in this specialty, go to http://www.gpaustralia.org.au/ and meet some real-life GPs at http://www.gpaustralia.org.au/content/meet-real-life-gps
The AGPT program is an Australian government funded initiative to provide training to doctors (registrars) pursuing the specialty of General Practice. Successful completion of the program leads to either (or both) of two endpoints:
The Department of Health contracts with nine regional training organisations (RTOs), across 11 training regions, throughout Australia to deliver the program in urban, regional and rural areas. These areas are categorised into two pathways – General pathway and Rural Pathway based on ASGA remoteness classifications (RA1-5).
There are two RTOs in Queensland:
General Practice Training Queensland (South East QLD)
Generalist Medical Training (North West QLD)
Registrars on the Rural Pathway must undertake all general practice placements in rural/remote RA 2-5 locations. Many overseas trained doctors and international graduates will be subject to the 10 year moratorium and will only be eligible to undertake the AGPT program on the Rural Pathway.
Registrars on the General Pathway can undertake their general practice placements in any RA 1-5 location. A rural term is not compulsory for the General Pathway, however, Registrars on the General Pathway will have a ‘training obligation’ which can be met by completing 12 months’ general practice work in a combination of locations such as outer metropolitan, rural, non-capital city RA 1 locations and Aboriginal Medical Services.
Duration of training is dependent on a registrar’s choice of college vocational program (FRACGP, FARGP, FACRRM) and prior experience, not their choice of Training Pathway.
GP Registrars with an interest in rural medicine, may choose to pursue both FACRRM and FRACGP (with or without FARGP) concurrently.
Achieving either FACRRM or FRACGP will enable Registrars to gain specialist (general practitioner) registration and once they have completed training, may work anywhere in Australia. Overseas trained doctors or international medical graduates, who are subject to the 10-year moratorium will however continue to have restrictions on the locations where they can work, after they have attained Fellowship, until their 10 year moratorium has expired.
Doctors applying to the AGPT in their Intern Year (PGY1), if accepted into the program, must complete their Junior House Officer [JHO] year (or PGY2) at a hospital which will be the first year on the AGPT program. These doctors would then normally commence their General Practice placements in their second year of the AGPT program.
Doctors who apply to the AGPT in PGY2 or later, may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning [RPL] for the required hospital training time. Both Colleges (ACRRM and RACGP) have different guidelines and policies for RPL and prospective applicants should be familiar with these policies which can be found on the college websites.
Generally speaking, the required hospital rotations need to be completed before Registrars can begin their GP term placements.
For all junior doctors, it is worth considering remaining in hospital training for an extra year, as a Senior House Officer [SHO] to gain more experience at a higher level of responsibility and to have a greater chance of completing all required hospital rotations and gaining Recognition of Prior Learning.
Further details on the training program can be found in the AGPT handbook.
For details on eligibility, refer to the AGPT eligibility guide.
Stage 1: Online Application and eligibility check.
At this stage, applicants fill out online applications on their preferred college websites (or apply to both colleges) and nominate their preferred fellowships, training pathways (Rural Pathway or General Pathway) and up to four training regions. A list of the regional training organisations (RTOs) that deliver the AGPT program in these training regions can be found on the AGPT website. They will also nominate two referees in the online application. It is important to note that ACRRM only has Rural Pathway places available for the 2018 intake while RACGP has Rural and General Pathway places available.
Applicants found to be eligible would proceed to the next stage in the selection process and pay selection process fees ($725 for RACGP and $700 for ACRRM) by the due dates.
RACGP Selection Assessment
RACGP Stage 2: National Assessment
RACGP will conduct a Candidate Assessment Applied Knowledge Test (CAAKT). Details on the format of the test can be found in the RACGP Selection Guide. Candidates achieving a minimum score, as determined by the College, will be shortlisted to one of their preferred training regions based on merit.
RACGP Stage 3: RTO Interview
These candidates would then attend an RTO interview as the final step in determining the best candidates.
ACRRM Selection Assessment
ACRRM Stage 2: Suitability Assessment
ACRRM will conduct a written suitability assessment requiring responses to selection criteria followed by referee checks. ACRRM selection guide.
ACRRM Stage 3: RTO Interview
Applications open | 2nd week of April ( ~ 10 April) |
Applications close | 2nd week of May ( ~ 10 May) |
AGPT eligibility check | June |
Pay college selection fees | Mid July |
RACGP written assessment test (CAAKT) | July |
ACRRM written submissions due | Mid July |
RTO interviews for shortlisted candidates | Mid August |
RTO offers sent to candidates | End August |
GP training year starts | 4th week January (following year) |
Note*: the above dates are subject to change each year. Please refer to the respective college and AGPT websites to confirm dates.
The colleges require candidates to complete certain hospitals rotations and achieve relevant experience in preparation for GP training. These include mandatory rotations, paediatric experience and other rotations suitable to general practice.
Mandatory rotations required for both colleges (minimum of 10-12 week rotations):
The paediatric requirement can be met in a number of ways set out by the colleges - through a ward rotation or a combination of emergency department rotation, post graduate diploma in child health and community posts. For further details on ways to complete the paediatric requirement, refer to the GPTQ website.
Additional hospital rotations required for RACGP:
Additional hospital rotations required for ACRRM:
Further details on these requirements along with a list of recommended rotations/ ways to fulfil these requirements can be found on the GPTQ website.
Applicants may also be able to shorten the length of their training time by applying to their college for recognition of prior learning.
Advantages of starting a career at TPCH
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Workforce Projections It is becoming more competitive to get a training position, that is, the number of people applying has increased compared to the number of training positions available. Approximately 1:2 applicants are successful for the General Pathway. As a Fellow, job prospects are excellent in metropolitan, regional and rural areas. |
Organisation | Phone | Website | |
AGPT | 1800 37 2478 [1800 DR AGPT] |
AGPTeligibility@health.gov.au | www.agpt.com.au |
ACRRM | 1800 223 226 | AGPT@acrrm.org.au | www.acrrm.org.au |
RACGP | 1800 472 247 | racgpeducation@racgp.org.au | www.racgp.org.au |
Regional Training Organisations (RTOs) in Queensland
Reviewed July 2017