Australian General Practice Training (AGPT)

How to become a GP

So how do you become a GP? The most common way is by training in the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program.

About the AGPT program

The Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program is an Australian Government funded vocational training program for doctors who want to specialise as general practitioners.

The program is managed by the Department of Health and is delivered by a national network of Regional Training Organisations (RTOs). GP Synergy is the RTO that delivers the AGPT program across the three NSW/ACT training regions – Western NSW, North Eastern NSW and Lower Eastern NSW.

Duration and fellowship endpoints

The AGPT program is typically three to four years in duration full-time. If you decide to undertake the program part-time, this will extend the length of the program.

The duration of the program also depends on which fellowship option/s you choose to pursue:

Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) – 3 years with optional 4th year
Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM) – 4 years

Both the FACRRM and FRACGP lead to specialist (general practitioner) registration with the Medical Board of Australia and the ability to work independently anywhere in Australia.

Registrars can choose to pursue either or both fellowships during their training.

Program structure

To become a GP, you undertake their training in a combination of hospital and general practice settings. The structure of the AGPT training program depends on your fellowship choice.

Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP)

Overview

The FRACGP curriculum is designed to prepare registrars to competently deliver unsupervised general practice services in any urban, regional, rural or remote general practice setting.

Eligibility

General or rural pathway registrars

Duration

3 years plus an optional 4th year

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Maximum 12 months for hospital based training only.

Typical program structure*

Year 1

12 months hospital

Year 2

2 x 6 months supervised community based GP terms (known as GPT1 & GPT2)

Year 3

1 X 6 months term where trainees can pursue a sub-speciality interest within a community or hospital-based setting (known as Extended Skills). Depending on the type of term, this may be pursued at any stage of training. 1 x 6 months supervised community based GP terms (known as GPT3).

Year 4

Registrars can undertake an optional 4th year in advanced rural skills training towards the additional award – Fellowship of Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP), provided by the RACGP.

More information

Visit the RACGP website

*Year 1 must be completed first, however the remaining order of training may vary. Please contact us for more information.

Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM)

Overview

The FACRRM is specifically designed to prepare registrars to practise competently and confidently in rural and remote medicine. Registrars undertake the majority of their training in rural and remote settings.

Eligibility

General or rural pathway registrars can pursue FACRRM.

Duration

4 years

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Up to 24 months of RPL may be available.

Typical program structure*

Year 1

Core Clinical Time (CCT) usually completed in hospital.

Years 2 & 3

Primary Rural and Remote Training (PRRT) in a variety of teaching environments including rural and remote accredited hospitals, Aboriginal medical services and community-based facilities.

Year 4

Advanced Specialised Training (AST) in one of a range disciplines specified by the College.

More information

Visit the ACRRM website

*Year 1 must be completed first, however the remaining order of training may vary. Please contact us for more information.

For more information about the fellowship training options, including information about fellowship assessments, please download the GP Synergy FACRRM & FRACGP Quick Guide.

Overseas Trained Doctors / Foreign Graduates of Australian Medical Schools

Applicants that are Overseas Trained Doctors (OTDs) or Foreign Graduates of an Australian Medical School (FGAMS) may be subject to the 10 year Moratorium (Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973) and can only apply to train in rural areas known as RA 2-5 location under the rural pathway. Further information can be found on the AGPT website and the Doctor Connect website (which includes a map of rural areas).