Remote Vocational Training Scheme

This is a FAQ BLOG and you can refer to our Pathways to GP Fellowship in Australia blog here.

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Date Updated: 2026-08-15

What is RVTS?

The Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) is a vocational training and approved 3GA program that offers medical practitioners a pathway to General Practice and/or Rural Generalist Fellowship.

RVTS is funded by the government with no application fees. 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.

What does the program include?

Joining RVTS will allow you to stay in one place for the duration of your training with the flexible and remote supervision, and to sit the Fellowship exams with either the RACGP or ACRRM.

As a RVTS registrar, you also get to have the following:

  • Live weekly webinars: 60-90-minute education sessions each week delivering core clinical content, interactive and peer learning.
  • Remote supervision: Each registrar is allocated a supervisor who acts as a mentor, providing educational advice.
  • Face-to-face workshops: Twice a year, registrars attend a residential procedural skills workshop.
  • Onsite and tele Clinical Teaching Visits: An RVTS supervisor or experienced rural practitioner sits in on a registrar’s consultations to observe progress and provide constructive feedback.
  • Cultural Education and Mentoring: Cultural safety training is provided by RVTS for registrars, supervisors and staff.
  • eLearning resources: modules: Self-directed modules, study material and interactive discussion forums.
  • Exam Preparation

Am I Eligible?

RVTS offers two training streams:

  • The Remote Stream for Doctors working in rural and remote Australia in MM4-7 locations.
  • The AMS Stream for Doctors working in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in MM2-7 locations.

The Remote Stream requires Doctors to work in a MM4-7 location and the position must be providing continuing comprehensive whole-patient medical care to individuals, families and their communities. RVTS Remote Stream is also funded for 22 doctors annually with 11 positions open for each intake. There are also 2 intakes each year, around in January and July.

RVTS – Remote Stream is open for doctors who:

  • Are working in a MM 4-7 location at the time of applying, and remain in that location throughout their training
  • Have a position must be providing continuing comprehensive whole-patient medical care to individuals, families and their communities
  • Are Australian Citizens, Permanent Residents, or Temporary Residents
  • Have General, Provisional or Limited Registration for Area of Need with AHPRA, AND have Level 2, 3, or 4 supervision:
    • For those with Limited Registration, you must:
      • Be on the Standard Pathway
      • Have completed the AMC MCQ
    • For those with Provisional Registration:
      • Only eligible if you are expected to gain general registration by the training commencement

The AMS Stream requires Doctors to work for an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in a MM 2-7 and the position must be providing continuing comprehensive whole-patient medical care to individuals, families and their communities. RVTS AMS Stream is also funded for 10 doctors annually with 5 positions open for each intake. There are also 2 intakes each year, specifically in January and July.

To be eligible for RVTS – AMS Stream doctors must:

  • Work at an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service AND must be in MM 2-7 location
  • Have a position must be providing continuing comprehensive whole-patient medical care to individuals, families and their communities
  • Be Australian Citizens, Permanent Residents, or Temporary Residents
  • Have General, Provisional or Limited AHPRA Registration for Area of Need, AND have Level 2, 3, or 4 supervision:
    • For those with Limited Registration, you must:
      • Be on the Standard Pathway
      • Have completed the AMC MCQ
    • For those with Provisional Registration:
      • Only eligible if you are expected to gain general registration by the training commencement

How much are the program fees?

Placement on RVTS is supported by the government, which means you don’t have to pay a single thing. However, please note that the Fellowship exam fees are not covered by the government.

How do I apply?

RVTS conducts 2 application intakes each year, with training commencement every January and July.

The Applicant Guide for each training stream includes important information on eligibility and selection into the RVTS program. You may refer to the relevant guides published on the RVTS website here.

Additionally, through its ‘Targeted Recruitment process’ RVTS in collaboration with eligible locations is facilitating recruitment to 30+ rural, remote and First Nations communities across Australia. Application under the Targeted Recruitment process follows 4 easy steps: 

  • STEP 2: Apply to the Targeted Recruitment Practice Location
    • Apply directly to the practice, which you can read more here. Practice will undertake a Practice Recruitment interview to determine if you are suitable for the position. Once identified, the practice will make an offer in writing to their preferred candidate(s).

  • STEP 3: Practice Nomination of Targeted Recruitment Candidate
    • The practice notifies RVTS of the recruitment.

  • STEP 4: RVTS Selection Process – Application, Interview and Testing
    • Once nominated by the Practice, RVTS will provide you with application documents and accompanying instructions. Next, you should complete the online RVTS application and upload supporting documentation. 

You can also check more details at their website here: rvts.org.au/Applications/Apply 

For supporting documents, you can send them to applications@rvts.org.au and some of which are as follows:

  • CV
  • Letter of Support from Practice
  • Evidence of practice at the current eligible location prior to the application opening date (Medicare Provider Number or Contract)
  • Headshot Photo
  • Evidence of Australian or New Zealand citizenship or Australian permanent or temporary residency
    • Certified copy of birth certificate if Australian or New Zealand born, or 
    • Citizenship certificate, or 
    • Passport

Please note you also have to place the contact details of 2 referees in your application. Also, the referees:

  • Must be based in Australia
  • Should be professional colleagues who are familiar with the applicant’s work over the last 3 years
  • Must have been in a supervisory or management position in relation to the applicant’s position at that time
  • Must not currently work in the same practice as the applicant
  • Must not be personally or financially related to the applicant
  • Must be contactable by phone or email, preferably during business hours, throughout the RVTS selection process for the relevant round

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!

Information from this blog has been taken directly from:

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