People Medical’s List of Handy Acronyms
Need help understanding your pathway?
Date Updated: 2026-05-15
When we’re starting someone fresh to the industry, the Acronyms make their heads swirl! Here is a handy guide for you. It isn’t all inclusive but we will keep adding to it!
Handy Acronyms!
| Acronym | Meaning | Other References/Definitions/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ACRRM | Australian College of Rural And Remote Medicine | https://www.acrrm.org.au/ |
| AGPT | Australian General Practice Training | https://www.peoplemedical.com.au/australian-general-practice-training/ |
| AHPRA | Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency | https://www.ahpra.gov.au/ |
| AKT | Applied Knowledge Test | RACGP Fellowship Exam |
| AMA | Australian Medical Association | |
| AMC | Australian Medical Council | An independent national standards body for medical education and training |
| AON | Area Of Need | |
| CCE | Clinical Competency Exam | RACGP Fellowship Exam |
| CPD | Continuing Professional Development | https://www.peoplemedical.com.au/cpd-continued-professional-development/ |
| CV | Curriculum Vitae | Also known as a ‘Resume’ |
| DPA | Distribution Priority Area | 19AB, the “Moratorium” – DPA is the 19AB location restriction for GPs. DPA also covers GP services of a GP catchment. |
| DWS | District of Workforce Shortage | DWS is the location restriction for non-GP specialists. DWS also compares the number of non-GP specialists to the area’s population. |
| FACRRM | Fellowship of Australian College of Rural And Remote Medicine | |
| FRACGP | Fellowship of Royal Australian College of General Practitioners | |
| FSP | Fellowship Support Program | https://www.peoplemedical.com.au/fellowship-support-program/ |
| FTE | Full Time Equivalent | |
| GP Trainee | GP Registrar | |
| GPRA | General Practice Registrars Australia | |
| IME | Institute of Medical Education | https://imemedical.com/ |
| IMG | International Medical Graduate | |
| IP | Independent Pathway | |
| KFP | Key Feature Problem | RACGP Fellowship Exam |
| MBA | Medical Board of Australia | https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/ |
| MBBS | Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery | |
| MBS | Medicare Benefits Schedule | https://mbsonline.gov.au/ |
| MCQ | Multiple Choice Questionnaire | For Doctors in the standard pathway, MCQ is the first AMC exam that they will take. |
| MMM | Modified Monash Model | https://www.peoplemedical.com.au/what-is-the-modified-monash-model/ |
| OTD | Overseas Trained Doctor | |
| PESCI | Pre-Employment Structured Clinical Interview | https://www.peoplemedical.com.au/pesci/ |
| PFP | Pre-Fellowship Program | https://www.peoplemedical.com.au/pre-fellowship-program-pfp/ |
| RACGP | Royal Australian College of General Practitioners | https://www.racgp.org.au/ |
| RDAA | Rural Doctors Association of Australia | https://www.rdaa.com.au/ |
| RPL | Recognition of Prior Learning | https://www.peoplemedical.com.au/recognition-for-prior-learning-rpl/ |
| RRMA | Rural, Remote and Metropolitan Areas | |
| RVTS | Remote Vocational Training Scheme | https://www.peoplemedical.com.au/remote-vocational-training-scheme/ |
| RWA | Rural Workforce Agencies | https://www.health.gov.au/contacts/rural-workforce-agencies-network |
| VMO | Visiting Medical Officer | |
| VR | Vocationally Registered | When someone has completed their fellowship exams and are a ‘Specialist’ |
| WBA | Workplace Based Assessment | |
| WIP | Workforce Incentive Program | https://www.peoplemedical.com.au/workforce-incentive-program-2/ |
Got more acronyms? Email help@peoplemedical.com.au to have yours added!
We Can Help You
Here at People Medical Consulting, we have a passion for guiding medical practitioners through their career pathways to Australia. We have extensive experience in assisting medical facilities in recruiting doctors from local and overseas who will best suit their requirements.
We provide Document Assistance for those requiring support for their PESCI with IME, ACRRM or RACGP, registration and all other mandatory AHPRA requirements, fellowship program related forms and letters, application for Medicare provider and prescriber numbers, application for 19AB or 19AA exemptions and preparation of employment documents.
If you want to talk to someone about your pathway or practice management—book a consultation with us below, or if you need Recruitment or Document Assistance, contact us at help@peoplemedical.com.au or click the buttons below. We’d be glad to help you!
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