Pathways to GP Fellowship in Australia | Training Programs | AGPT | RVTS | IP | FSP
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Date Updated: 2026-09-22
In Australia, there are 2 Colleges that will allow you to become a Specialist General Practitioner; you can complete your Fellowship with ACRRM or RACGP and be recognised as a Specialist with either Fellowship.
What College should I Fellow with?
This is entirely up to you! We would recommend having a look over the programs required to sit for either ACRRM or RACGP Fellowship and the Assessments/Examinations you are required to complete to determine what you would prefer to do. ACRRM aims to provide training to equip GPs with the skills needed to provide in rural areas, whilst RACGP focuses on metropolitan and rural care.
You can read more about the eligibility requirements of these Colleges here, specifically ACRRM Fellowship or RACGP Fellowship.
Do I need to be on a training program?
From 2022, it became compulsory for all Doctors seeking Fellowship with either RACGP or ACRRM to have participated in an approved training program in order to be eligible to sit their exams.
This means, your first step towards Fellowship is to decide what training program and which College you would like to join.
What Training Programs can I be on?
There will be four pathways to GP Fellowship:
- Fellowship Support Program (FSP)
- Australian General Practice Training (AGPT)
- ACRRM Independent Pathway (IP)
- Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS)
AGPT, RVTS and ACRRM IP will allow you to sit for the ACRRM Fellowship exams.
AGPT, RVTS and RACGP FSP will allow you to sit for the RACGP Fellowship exams.
AGPT and RVTS are both funded by the government.
What Training Program should I choose?
AGPT is a commonwealth-funded training program for registrars on the journey to either RACGP or ACRRM Fellowship and Specialist Registration as a General Practitioner. It’s a 4-year program that provides a lot of support to GPs with limited training spots and competitive selection process.
RVTS is fully funded by the government with no application fees, and offers GPs a pathway to Fellowship of ACRRM or RACGP. RVTS also provides vocational training through distance education and remote supervision, letting registrars practice in some of Australia’s most remote locations while training for Fellowship.
RACGP FSP is a self-funded education and training program that supports aspiring Doctors with general practice experience to complete their Fellowship through RACGP (FRACGP).
ACRRM IP is a self-funded training program that assists GPs on the pathway towards Fellowship of ACRRM (FACRRM).
If you don’t have enough GP experience, you can look into the Pre-Fellowship Program (PFP) which is a program that basically prepares Doctors for Fellowship by acquiring more GP experience through practicing in a Distribution Priority Area (DPA) and access Medicare. Please note whilst it is a 3GA program, it is not a Pathway to Fellowship. This means you will need to join a College-led GP training program (any of the ones above) before you are eligible to sit for the Fellowship Exams.
What assessment will I need to complete?
During the duration of your time on a training program, you will be expected to be working towards and sitting your Fellowship exams.
For ACRRM Fellowship you will need to complete the following assessments
- Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (miniCEX)
- Multi-Source Feedback (MSF)
- Multiple-Choice Question assessment (MCQ)
- Case Based Discussion (CBD)
- Structured Assessment using Multiple Patient Scenarios (StAMPS)
- Logbooks
- Projects
- Note: Registrars are allowed four (4) attempts at each assessment. An assessment cannot be undertaken without College approval while on any form of additional leave from training.
For RACGP Fellowship you will need to complete the following assessments:
- Applied Knowledge Test (AKT)
- Key Feature Problem (KFP)
- Clinical Competency Exam (CCE)
Once you have completed your education and training requirements, as well as passed these assessments, you will become a Vocationally Registered General Practitioner in Australia!
What does being a Fellowed Doctor mean?
As a Vocationally Registered Doctor, you will be able to work in either the hospital system or general practice without supervision. Please keep in mind that if you are restricted by 19AB, you will continue to be required to work in a DPA area for the duration of your Moratorium.
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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