FSP Extenuating and Unforeseen Circumstances Guide

This is a FAQ BLOG and you can refer to our 19AA blog here.

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Date Updated: 2026-01-30

What are extenuating and unforeseen circumstances?

Simply put, these are uncontrollable circumstances that stop you from submitting or completing the necessary requirements and participating in the program.

Some examples would be life-threatening illness, serious accident, family circumstances, and loss of employment which are out of your control. Here’s a list of specific instances:

Medical
- life-threatening illness
- serious accident
- hospitalisation
- illness that could become life-threatening if not treated correctly
- diagnosed mental health condition
- unforeseen pregnancy complications
- a chronic illness or disabling condition that, if not treated correctly, will prevent the person from performing their normal occupation
- unable to receive necessary medical care in an MMM 2–7 location (eg radiotherapy treatment or treatment requiring frequent attendance at an MMM 1 medical facility)
- significant illness of a first degree family member

Acute adverse life circumstances
- significant personal/family circumstances affecting you
- attendance at legal proceedings

Employment
- loss of employment due to factors beyond your control (eg training site closure)

How do I apply?

You can apply to extend your program time or to change practice location to a metropolitan area (MM1) by sending your application through email to ApprovedPlacement@racgp.org.au for extenuating and unforeseen circumstances.

Note that the subject line must be ‘Extenuating and unforeseen circumstances (FSP) – Dr [LAST NAME] – [RACGP ID number]’

Evidence of the circumstances should also be less than 6 months before the application and these would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

What evidence should I provide?

Here are the list of evidences you should submit as stated by RACGP:

Medical circumstances

Details of diagnosis
- Where possible (If it relates to mental health, the diagnosis should reference a tool, such as the DSM-5)
- Date of first diagnosis

Impact of condition on you
- Length of time providing treatment
- Frequency of treatment
- Reasons why the medical condition or required treatment prevents you from meeting the minimum requirements
- Expected duration of illness/condition
- How long you expect to be unable to meet the minimum part-time program requirements
If you’re providing care to a significant family relation
- Evidence of the level of care provided (e.g. number of visits to medical services, number of hours spent providing care, forms of care and assistance provided, care arrangements while you are working).
If the required medical services are situated in another location
- A letter of support (or similar) from a GP or other relevant specialist noting that the treatment is:
  - either not available or not suitable in your current location
  - required more than once every two months
  - generally recognised as appropriate for the medical condition.
- *If treatment is less frequent than once every two months, this will not be considered sufficiently impactful without the presence of other mitigating factors.

Please note that medical evidence must be provided by a health professional that is an AHPRA-registered GP, and not related to you or not work in your current practice. Also, the treatment will not be considered if it is less than once every two months, unless there are other factors.

Acute adverse life circumstances

Statutory declaration detailing the circumstances and their impact on you.
Court summons/subpoena for evidence
Court mandated custody arrangements

Employment circumstances

Evidence of mandatory employment relocation (eg for ADF mandatory postings)
Statutory declaration detailing the circumstances and their impact on you
Letter from your employer indicating circumstances
Evidence from the Australian Department of Home Affairs or international equivalent detailing the change in circumstances
*Applications will not be considered if there are incomplete details

What do I do after I receive an outcome?

If your application is approved

You will be given a duration for the extenuating and unforeseen circumstances. Your application will also be valid for 12 months, unless stated otherwise.

If your application is denied

Alternative options may be given, such as a reduction in working hours.

What are the circumstances that won’t be considered extenuating and unforeseen?

For medical reasons, a few would be a self-certified illness, sickness that can be recovered through sick leave, no evidences of health conditions, and evidences of medical conditions that are more than 6 months before the application was submitted.

Some acute adverse life circumstances are attending personal events, bereavement, financial hardship, or scenarios that are preventable or foreseeable. Moreover, employment examples would be dispute with employer about working conditions or not completing program requirements due to excessive work hours.

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’re looking for assistance, contact us at help@peoplemedical.com.au and we would be glad to help you.

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