Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) - RACGP
In recognition that doctors applying to GP training may have relevant hospital training experience prior to joining GP training, the RACGP offers opportunities to reduce training time through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Applied for 2021 AGPT final intake?
About Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Registrars may be able to reduce their RACGP AGPT training time by up to 12 months through an application for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). RPL is generally only considered for hospital experience.
To be eligible to apply for RPL, you must have completed either a minimum of twelve months of hospital post general registration or a minimum of two years in total of Australian or New Zealand accredited hospitals by the start of your first GP term (GPT1).
Important points
You must be able to demonstrate how the hospital terms in your application are relevant to general practice.
If the terms were completed between five and ten years from the date you will start in your first GP term, you will need to demonstrate with evidence how you have maintained your knowledge and skills.
Terms completed more than ten years from the date you will start in your first GP term are not eligible for consideration.
You can only apply for a maximum six months in any one discipline (some exemptions may apply for emergency medicine).
GP Synergy can provide support and advice in preparing your RPL application, however the decision to grant RPL cannot be guaranteed as it is made by the RACGP Censor.
FAQs
RPL applications need to be approved by the end of the first GP term, so we encourage you to submit your applications as soon as possible after accepting an offer.
You are encouraged to start collecting the relevant paperwork for RPL as early as possible as the RPL application requires an essay and evidence such as:
- CV
- Statement of service
- End of term JMO assessment forms
- Medical registration
Additional documentation may also be required. See the RACGP Application Guidance document and the GP Synergy RPL checklist for more information.
Non-clinical terms (i.e. medical administration) are not eligible for consideration for RPL. Unaccredited terms (i.e. locuming or experience in unaccredited hospitals) will also not be considered for RPL.
Yes. Relief terms will be considered towards RPL.
Up to seven weeks of standard leave entitlements (i.e. sick leave and annual leave, etc) will be considered as part of an RPL application. Leave taken over and above the standard entitlements will not be considered.
Only eligible terms undertaken in New Zealand and Australia are eligible for consideration for RPL. Other international hospital experience will not be considered.
RPL requirements are determined and assessed by the RACGP Censor who will consider:
- The recency of experience in the above rotations and rotations of particular relevance to general practice.
- The level of seniority and responsibility an applicant has had during their hospital experience.
- The applicant’s personal level of confidence and expertise in the areas above.
- The relevance of the prior training experience and the skills gained to general practice.
- The type of general practice the registrar wishes to undertake. For example, in some rural practices, it may be necessary to have more extensive procedural and emergency medicine skills in order to safely manage the clinical requirements of general practice in a rural environment.
We can provide you with preliminary advice based on current RACGP policies. We are unable to guarentee RPL will be granted as approval rests with the RACGP Censor.