Australian General Practice Training - People Medical Consulting

What is the AGPT Program?

The AGPT (or Australian General Practice Training) Program trains doctors to become GPs. It provides full-time, on-the-job training for Australian and overseas-trained doctors who want to specialise in general practice.

The program offers 1,500 training places in cities and regional, rural and remote areas of Australia each year.

Doctors in the AGPT Program train towards achieving either a:

Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM)
Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP)
FRACGP and Fellowship of Advanced Rural General Practice

Once you have gained one of these fellowships, you can apply for Specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia and work as a GP anywhere in Australia (within your 19AB restrictions if you’re an IMG).

Who can access the program?

You can apply for the program if you are:

An Australian or New Zealand medical graduate, with Australian or New Zealand citizenship or Australian permanent residency
An overseas-trained doctor who is also a Permanent Resident or Citizen.
An Australian Defence Force doctor

You must also hold or expect to hold General Registration with the Medical Board of Australia before commencing on the AGPT Program.

What does AGPT training offer?

When you complete your GP training with the ACRRM or RACGP, you’ll achieve your GP fellowship.

Training to be a GP with the AGPT Program offers you many benefits. You can:

get a Medicare provider number
claim the highest value Medicare Benefits Schedule items during training
do practical training in a work environment — you will work hands on with other professionals in hospitals and medical practices
access various training opportunities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training, advanced skills training and academic posts
have your training fees covered by the Australian Government — you pay your application and assessment fees
access financial incentives for working in a regional, rural or remote area
choose where you want to train
train for fellowships with both colleges at the same time — in the same region, on the rural pathway

AGPT pathways

There are 2 pathways to becoming a GP in Australia through the AGPT Program. You can train:

mainly in a rural or regional area, through the rural pathway
mainly in or near a city, through the general pathway

The rural pathway is available through either the:

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)

All doctors are eligible for this pathway.

The general pathway is available through:

RACGP

You are eligible for the general pathway if you are not restricted by 19AB or hold a 19AB spousal exemption.

Where can I train?

Where you train depends on your choice of:

Pathway (rural or general)
Regional Training Organisation (RTO)

The rural pathway allows you to train in MM2 to MM7 areas.

You can train on the general pathway anywhere in Australia.

Hospital and practice placements

As part of your training, you need to complete placements in various settings through your RTO. This will include time in hospitals and other accredited facilities. Each college and pathway has its own requirements. Read more about these requirements here: https://www.peoplemedical.com.au/mandatory-hospital-training-requirements-for-doctors-going-into-general-practice/

If you already have experience in a hospital setting, you might be eligible for recognition of prior learning. You need to show evidence of your experience and meet the college’s requirements.

How long does the training take?

The length of your training depends on the pathway you choose. Most training takes 3 to 4 years full time.

You can apply for part-time training or take leave during your training. This will increase the time it takes you to finish.

There are limits on how long you can take to complete your training. But you can apply for an extension in some cases.

What Can I Expect to Earn?

As trainees, general practice registrars must be employed according to the NTCER and can expect to be paid a base salary (starting at $74,215 in Term 1, increasing to $95,295 p.a. by Term 3). This base salary is topped up with the difference between the registrar’s base salary and a percentage of billings or receipts (no less than 44.79% + 9.5% Super).

DO YOU NEED HELP?

Our team offer General Practitioners assistance with finding jobs and a career pathway, and Medical Facilities to find a new Medical Practitioner. We also help with the full application process with AHPRA, RACGP, ACRRM, Department of Health, Medicare including 19AA & 19AB. If we can help, please contact us at help@peoplemedical.com.au.

People Medical Consulting are a team of professionals with a passion for guiding those specialising in the Medical industry to find their career pathway and settle into Australia. Working with both Australian trained and Overseas trained professionals, we have extensive experience in Recruitment of General Practitioners and Document Assistance for those requiring support with RACGP, AHPRA, 19AA and 19AB Medicare Exemptions.