Fellowship Services

Fellowship Services FAQs

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Enrolment

Examinations & Practice Based Assessment

Fellowship

Practice Eligible Pathway

Specialist Pathway

Special Considerations & Reconsiderations


Enrolment

When can I enrol?

The next enrolment period for the 2012.2 College examinations and Practice Based Assessment (PBA) will commence on Monday 19th March 2012. This enrolment period will differ from previous enrolment periods as the timeframes have been extended for more flexible enrolment options. Further changes to enrolment options will be available through the FAQs and policies closer to the opening date for enrolments.
The closing dates for enrolments are:

  • AKT & KFP – Friday 8th  June 2012, 5pm AEDT
  • OSCE – Friday 24th  August 2012, 5pm AEDT
  • PBA – Remains open after 19th March 2012.

This enrolment period will accept enrolments for exams in 2012.2 (AKT/KFP 4th August exam and OSCE 21st October exam). There will be another enrolment period for 2013.1 exams later in 2012.


How do I enrol?

Once enrolments open, you can check your eligibility via the Eligibility for Enrolment in College Assessments policy located at racgp.org.au/assessment/policy and then enrol online by logging in with your RACGP ID. Once you have entered all your information and paid online you will receive an enrolment confirmation via email.   

No documentation is required at the point of enrolment, it will need to be provided upon request during the audit process.

Registrars please note that your RTP will be contacted to confirm your eligibility to enrol so before enrolling you should verify this eligibility directly with the RTP.

All candidates must be eligible for enrolment at the date they enrol, and able to provide evidence to support their eligibility upon request. Any questions falsely answered in the online enrolment system may be considered academic misconduct under the Academic Misconduct policy and will be handled as per that policy.

What are the fees for each assessment?

2012 Exams

All GST free

Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) - $1,620
Key Feature Problems (KFP) - $1,620
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) - $3,220

Practice Based Assessment (PBA) (coupled) - $6,460
Viva (uncoupled) - $1,620
Examiner Clinical Visit (uncoupled) - $1,620
Recorded Consultations (uncoupled) - $3,220

Read a letter from Dr Brendan Grabau PhD, about the new fees for the RACGP examination effective from the first examinations in 2012 (PDF 37KB).

2013 Exams

All GST free

Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) - $1,670
Key Feature Problems (KFP) - $1,670
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) - $3,315

Practice Based Assessment (PBA) (coupled) - $6915
VIVA -  $1800
ECV  - $1800
Video Consultation - $3315

A letter from Dr Zena Burgess PhD, was sent to GPRA to inform registrars of the new fees for the RACGP examination effective in 2013 (PDF 567KB).

Do I have to be a member of the RACGP before enrolling in any exam segment?

Yes. For guidance on becoming a member see www.racgp.org.au/membership.

Have there been any changes to the college examinations?

Yes, from the 2011.2 cycle onwards the written examinations (AKT & KFP) will be run using a online system, for more information please download the online examination information flyer.

The new technology delivers a more modern, reliable and user friendly way to take the AKT and KFP exams, making the exam process smoother for both candidates and examiners. The college has developed a number of useful resources including an online demonstration video, a flyer and a frequently asked questions document. All resources are now available at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/onlineexam.

In what time frame must I sit all three (3) segments?

Most candidates presenting for the exams will have three years from the time they pass either the AKT or KFP (whichever is passed first).

For Category 2 candidates in the Specialist Pathway you must sit all three (3) segments within two years of receiving provisional specialist medical registration through the specialist pathway.

When does the three (3) year period commence?

From the time that you pass the AKT or KFP.

What are the eligibility requirements for Enrolment?

Please refer to our Eligibility for Enrolment in College Assessments policy at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy.

All candidates must be eligible for enrolment at the date they enrol, and able to provide evidence to support their eligibility upon request. Any questions falsely answered in the online enrolment system may be considered academic misconduct under the Academic Misconduct policy and will be handled as per our policy.

What are the CPR requirements for enrolment in the assessments?

The RACGP no longer requires evidence of basic CPR training at the time of enrolment. It is a requirement of Fellowship for AGPT registrars that ALS (including CPR) will have been completed and will be checked at the time of applying for Fellowship.  It is also a requirement of QI & CPD that CPR is refreshed each triennium for all participants.

When are the exams?

Refer to “when are the exams?” below in “Examinations & Practice Based Assessment

I am a Registrar, what information do I need from my RTP?

Before enrolling all Registrars should check with their RTP regarding their eligibility. Registrars who have satisfactorily completed the required training units prior to the close of the enrolment period, may need to provide a training unit statement upon request during the audit process, it is not required at the time of enrolment.

All Registrar enrolments will be verified with the RTP. Any questions falsely answered in the online enrolment system may be considered academic misconduct under the Academic Misconduct policy and will be handled as per our policy.

2012.2 AGPT Registrars:
The RACGP will enrol registrars who have not completed the required training units by the date of enrolment, but who expect to complete the required units by no later than the date of examination, or in the case of Victorian registrars, the end of term date.

In cases where candidates sit the examination prior to the release of the completion of training statement results will be withheld until confirmation of the completion of the required units has been received.

What documentation do I need to include with my enrolment?

The RACGP no longer require documentation to be submitted at the time of enrolment. We now only require documentary evidence from candidates who are part of the audit process. These candidates will be required to submit documentation upon request and within 5 business days of the request. Failure to comply with audit requests will be reported as incidents and escalated under the Academic Misconduct policy at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy.

Can I change my venue preferences after I have submitted my enrolment?

Refer to “Can I change my venue preferences after I have submitted my enrolment?” below in “Examinations & Practice Based Assessment

Can I return the enrolment via email or fax?

No. The completed payment form and certified documentation will only be accepted via mail (or courier). We recommend that you send your paperwork via registered mail which will enable you to track its delivery.

Please read the Enrolment Options and Procedures policy at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy.

Will I get confirmation that my enrolment form has been received?

The online system will send you an email to confirm acceptance of your enrolment and payment. This will be sent to the address in our database. Please ensure your contact details are updated if they have changed since you were last in contact with the College.

Enrolments will be part of an audit process which will include requests for documentation from some candidates. These will be expected within five business days of the request.


Examinations & Practice Based Assessment

When are the exams?

Segment Exam Dates
AKT 2012.2 Saturday 4 August 2012
2013.1 Saturday 9 February 2013
2013.2 Saturday 10 August 2013
KFP 2012.2 Saturday 4 August 2012
2013.1 Saturday 9 February 2013
2013.2 Saturday 10 August 2013
OSCE 2012.2 Sunday 21 October 2012
2013.1 Saturday 11 May 2013
2013.2 Sunday 27 October 2013
PBA Stream 1 commences mid-November 2011
Stream 2 commences mid-May 2012
ECV Stream 1 commences mid-November 2011
Stream 2 commences mid-May 2012
VIVA Stream 1 commences mid-November 2011
Stream 2 commences mid-May 2012
Recorded Consultations Stream 1 commences mid-November 2011
Stream 2 commences mid-May 2012

If I sit the AKT and KFP on the same day and I pass the KFP but fail the AKT, would my results from the KFP be withheld until I have resat and passed the AKT?

No, you will receive your results regardless of whether you pass or fail the AKT.

Where Can I sit the Exams?

The venues for the AKT & KFP are:

Adelaide (SA), Brisbane (QLD), Bundaberg (QLD), Canberra (ACT), Darwin (NT), Hobart (TAS)*, Melbourne (VIC), Perth (WA), Sydney (NSW), Townsville (QLD). *Hobart is the Tasmanian centre for the written segment of the examination.

The venues for the OSCE are:

Adelaide (SA), Brisbane (QLD), Canberra (ACT), Darwin (NT)*, Launceston (TAS)**, Melbourne (VIC), Perth (WA), Sydney (NSW), Townsville (QLD).

*Darwin only operates as a centre for the clinical segment when the exam date is set on a Sunday, usually in October.

**Launceston is the Tasmanian centre for the OSCE segment of the examination.

You can request to sit at an alternative venue. For further information please refer to the Allocation of Candidates to Remote Supervision and Established Examination Centres policy at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy. Any additional costs associated with the establishment of an alternative venue (eg. room hire, supervision fees) will be the responsibility of the candidate.

Also note that there is no guarantee you will be allocated to your first venue preference.

Where can I attend the clinical exam (OSCE) in 2012?

Please note that exam centres listed are subject to variation. You will receive details confirming the venue for your OSCE three weeks prior to the examination. Candidates are advised to refer to the Allocation of Candidates to Remote Supervision and Established Examination Centres policy at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy for details regarding placement of candidates to examination venues.

RACGP OSCE VENUES – subject to change

Northern Territory Darwin
Royal Darwin Hospital
105 Rocklands Dr, Tiwi, NT 0810
South Australia Adelaide
Women's & Children's Hospital
Kermonde Street, North Adelaide, SA 5006
New South Wales Sydney
Westmead Hospital
Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, NSW 2145

The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Cnr Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street,
Westmead, NSW 2145
ACT Canberra
Canberra Hospital
Yamba Drive, Woden, ACT 2606
Tasmania Launceston
Launceston General Hospital
Specialist Clinic, Charles Street, Launceston, TAS 7250
Queensland Brisbane
Mater Hospital
550 Stanley Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101

College House
Level 1, 201 Logan Road, Buranda, QLD 4101

Townsville
School of Medicine and Dentistry
Level 2, Building 39 (Medicine 1), James Cook Drive
James Cook University, Angus Smith Drive (main entrance)
Douglas Qld 4811
Victoria Melbourne
St Vincent's Hospital - Outpatients
Daly Wing, Ground Floor, 35 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, VIC 3065

Royal Melbourne Hospital – Outpatients
Level 1, Grattan St, Parkville, VIC 3050

Bendigo Primary Health Care
123 Arnold St, Bendigo
Western Australia Perth
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital - Outpatients Dept
Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, WA 6009

Can I change my venue preferences after I have submitted my enrolment?

You can submit a request to change your venue preferences in writing to: fellowshipservices@racgp.org.au please ensure you list the specific order of your new venue preferences.

Please note that all venue change requests must be submitted no later than four (4) weeks prior to the exam date.

Also note that there is no guarantee you will be allocated to your first venue preference.

When will the examination be marked?

The examination will be marked after each segment, with scores and feedback available once scoring, standard setting and ratification by the Censors are completed for each segment. For details on the marking process, refer to the Assessment Performance Reporting policy at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy .

What are the due dates for PBA components in the 2012.2 cycle?

The dates for PBA assessments in 2012.2 are as follows:

Professional Portfolio Friday 6th July 2012
Recorded Consultations completed by Friday 7th September 2012
Viva and ECV to be conducted between Monday 27th August 2012 to Friday 28th September 2012
Results published  Friday 5th April 2013

How will my exam be marked?

The pass mark for each segment will be determined by actively practicing Fellows who set the standard for each examination. Whilst both written examinations are administered on the same day, each is marked very differently. Fellowship Services strives to release the AKT results as a priority so candidates know if they are able to sit the OSCE, however the process of determining the pass mark is stringent and requires standard setting and data quality assurance processes which can only happen after the examination has finished.

The college is accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) to determine if candidates meet the required competence before entering unsupervised general practice in Australia. To accurately determine if candidates are competent the college needs a valid examination and reliable standard setting.

The standard setting process is explained in the Assessment Performance Reporting policy at: www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy, and this is the process used to determine the pass mark. Each exam will vary with difficulty in each rotation and will vary between rotations. It is internationally recognised that in high stakes exams to determine candidates meet the required standards that using the absolute standard setting process e.g. a score of 50% would mean at times we pass some candidates who have not met the standard and at other times fail candidates who have met the standard. The College has long adopted the 'modified Angoff' method, which is a well recognised criterion referenced standard-setting process. This process involves an expert panel which reviews each question and determines how borderline candidates have performed. The average of all the performance scores for each question determined to be 'reliable' gives the pass mark.

The pass mark for each exam moves up and down as expected depending on the difficulty of the exam. On the last 10 rotations the pass mark has varied for the AKT from a high of 69.3 in 2007.1 to a low of 56.3 in 2008.2, for the KFP from a high of 64.9 in 2008.1 to a low of 47.4 in 2006.2 and for the Clinical a high of 63.2 in 2008.1 to a low of 61.0 in 2006.2.

Each exam component tests different aspects of a candidate's ability. The AKT tests knowledge, the KFP tests the key features of a problem and how the candidate uses their knowledge, and the Clinical tests candidate communication skills and how to take a comprehensive history, use the information obtained, and how they communicate the problem to the patient, and the management they recommend. The College Censors determine the candidate's need to demonstrate skills in each area and pass each exam rather than averaging scores which could pass a candidate with knowledge but inadequate skills in other areas. The standard for each exam component is set by the standard setting group. It doesn't matter how small the difference is between the candidate's mark and the pass mark the candidate has to score above the pass mark to demonstrate competency.

When will I receive my results?

Assessment results 2012.1 2012.2
AKT results available on the website 5 April 2012 14 September 2012
KFP results available on the website 27 April 2012 5 October 2012
OSCE results available on the website 15 June 2012 23 November 2012
PBA results available on the website 2011.2 2012.1
5 April 2012 6 September 2012

Results for each assessment segment will not be posted, faxed, emailed or given over the phone. Candidates are advised to view their results online via the Examinations web page at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/examination.

If I pass the AKT and continue on to the KFP & OSCE, but then fail one of these, what will happen?

If you are doing the exams you will only need to repeat the segment you failed. If you do not pass all segments within three years of first passing a written exam, you must undertake all segments in a new cycle. Credits will not be carried over. Refer to the Assessment Performance Reporting policyat www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy.

What if I fail the AKT but have already enrolled in the OSCE?

If you are unsuccessful in the AKT, the college will automatically withdraw you from the OSCE and issue a refund of fees within four weeks of the release of AKT results.

My RACGP number was not shown - does that mean I failed?

Your results will be emailed to you and a summary statement will be available online by logging into the RACGP website. The results summary statement is final. Please refer to PDF 'Instructions on how to view online results' if you have difficulties accessing online results.

If you have been unsuccessful in an exam segment you will receive advice with your online results on how to proceed through the examination cycle.

If you have evidence that your online result statement is inconsistent with the list of the passed candidates as denoted by RACGP member number, please contact: fellowshipservices@racgp.org.au

If I have failed an exam segment, what are my options?

You may:

I applied for special consideration - was this taken into account?

The outcome of an application for special consideration cannot include a change to an assessment result.

If you applied for special consideration, you will have received written notification of the outcome, which was considered independently of your assessment performance outcome. Please refer to the Special Consideration policy at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy.

I completed an incident report on the day of the exam - was this taken into account?

Yes, the relevant State/Territory Faculty Office would have forwarded your report to the RACGP's National Office Fellowship Services (Assessment Team) and this would have been considered during ratification of your results.

Can my exam be remarked?

The examination results, as ratified by the Board of Censors on behalf of RACGP Council, are final. However, results may be subject to review at the instigation of the candidate, subject to the Board of Censors' Decisions Reviews policy. Please refer to www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy.

Written request for reconsideration, including the grounds for reconsideration, must be received within 10 working days of the release of the results. Applications must be addressed to RACGP - Fellowship Services. A $750 fee will apply. For more see 'Special Considerations & Reconsiderations'.

What are the rules and observances to follow at RACGP Examinations?

Candidates are reminded that they agree by the terms on the accepted enrolment form that they will, when presenting for the college examinations, strictly adhere to all college assessment policies which at the time of enrolling they acknowledge that they have read and understood.

If in doubt, to review all policies please go to Assessment Policies at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy specifically, please refer to the policy titled, 'Rules and their observances for the conduct of RACGP examinations'

Enrolling in Practice Based Assessment (PBA)?

PBA consists of three main modules:

Module 1 – Examiner Clinical Visit (ECV)
Module 2 – Recorded Consultations (RC)
Module 3 - Viva

A candidate enrolling in the PBA program for the first time is required to sit all three modules (coupled PBA). These modules are expected to be sat during the one PBA stream.

As of September 2010 the college 'uncoupled' PBA. Prior to September 2010 if a candidate failed one or two PBA modules they were required to resit all three modules. From September 2010 candidates who have failed one or two of the PBA modules are eligible to enrol in the module(s) which they have not successfully completed (failed), and they are required to sit the failed modules during one stream.   

Candidates who have enrolled in a previous stream but have not passed any modules are required to reenrol in all three modules in the same stream.

To successfully complete PBA candidates are required to successfully complete all three modules within a three-year cycle. The three-year cycle commences on the first successful completion date of a PBA module and concludes on the third anniversary of that date.

Credits for each successfully completed module accumulate during the cycle.

No credits can be carried after the three-year cycle and a candidate needs to start again and resit all three modules in a new cycle.

For candidates who pass (successfully complete) one or two modules of the PBA program, and one or two segments of the uncoupled exams (AKT, KFP, OSCE). The credits gained from each pathway to Fellowship can not 'mix and match' with other pathways to Fellowship. Credits gained from any pathway to Fellowship can not be transferred into other pathways to Fellowship.

Can I enrol into coupled Practice Based Assessment (PBA) and the Uncoupled exams?

No,  you may only enrol in either PBA assessments or the uncoupled exam segments at one time.

Further information can be found on the Practice Based Assessment pathway section at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/pathways and the Practice Based Assessment Handbook at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy.

Can I sit the OSCE first?

No, you must have passed the AKT before you can sit the OSCE.

However, you do not have to successfully complete the AKT before sitting for the KFP.


Fellowship

How can I become a Fellow of the RACGP?

The first step on the pathway to Fellowship is to select a pathway most suitable to you:

  • The Specialist Pathway including Fellowship Ad Eundum Gradum
  • The Practice Eligible Pathway
  • The Training Pathway

Applicants should refer to www.racgp.org.au/assessment/pathways for further information about pathways to Fellowship.

Applicants should also refer to www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy for further information about the eligibility criteria for the various pathways.

Have there been any changes to the Advance Life Support (ALS) requirements?

As part of a Registrar's application for RACGP Fellowship, the training provider will continue to certify that the registrar has completed ALS to RACGP requirements. For all new Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) registrars from July 1 2011, ALS must be completed within three years of the time of application for Fellowship.

What happens now that I have passed the College assessments?

Candidates who successfully complete all assessment segments will be provided with an application form for admission to Fellowship when they access their results statement from the RACGP website at: www.racgp.org.au/assessment/examination/results. Details regarding the eligibility criteria for Fellowship can be found at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/pathways/fellowship

Note that Fellowship applications can take up to six weeks to process from the date your completed application is received at your RACGP State/Territory Faculty Office.

How do I obtain General Practitioner (GP) Recognition (VR or Fellows List)?

Fellowship of the RACGP qualifies doctors for GP recognition with Medicare Australia. This recognition defines a GP as a specialist for the purpose of inclusion on the Fellows list. GP's on the Fellows list are given access to the A1 Medicare rates.

When GP's are admitted to RACGP Fellowship, letters of advice are sent to GP's, including a Medicare form for inclusion on the Fellows List. It is then the doctor's responsibility to finalise the application with Medicare.

Please note that in 1995, experienced GPs practicing in Australia were eligible to apply to Medicare to be 'grandfathered'. The successful applicants were included on the Vocational Register with Medicare without the need for admission to RACGP Fellowship. This was a 'one off' process and is no longer available.

For information on the Pathways to RACGP Fellowship, please refer to www.racgp.org.au/assessment/pathways

I've been awarded Fellowship, when will I receive my certificate?

From the date you are awarded Fellowship it will be approximately 6 – 8 weeks before your certificate will be ready to be posted to you. Your State/Territory Faculty Office will also extend an invitation to attend an event which will encompass recognition of New Fellows.

My Fellowship Certificate has been misplaced or damaged. How can I obtain a replacement?

A replacement Fellowship Certificate can be ordered for a fee of $55.00 for current members or $75.00 for non-members. Please complete the following form and send it to the Fellowship Services Department for processing.

Replacement Fellowship Certificate Order Form (38KB)


How can I obtain documentary evidence of my Fellowship with the College?

A letter can be issued to you which verifies the date you were awarded Fellowship of the College. If you are a non-member, a fee of $30.00 will apply.  Please email your request to fellowshipservices@racgp.org.au or call 1800 626 901.

I have passed the College Assessment. When will I receive my CPD points?

Once you have successfully completed an RACGP assessment and have been awarded Fellowship you will be eligible to receive 150 Category 1 points as part of the QI&CPD Program. Further information regarding the QI&CPD Program can be found at http://qicpd.racgp.org.au


Practice Eligible Pathway

What is the Practice Eligible Pathway?

Practice Eligible is a pathway toward Fellowship that is based on an applicant’s ability to provide evidence of General Practice experience. Practice Eligible candidates are able to elect to, sit the College examinations or to undertake the PBA. Eligibility requirements for the practice eligible pathway are available in our Assessment of Overseas General Practice Experience And Australian General Practice Experience policy at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy. You can also find useful information and links to the relevant forms related to this pathway at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/pathways/practiceeligible

What is the process for assessment of my general practice experience and how long will it take?

The Overseas and/or Australian General Practice Experience application, once received by the Fellowship Services Branch, is checked by our administrators to ensure that the application is complete. Applicants submitting incomplete applications will be contacted and advised of any outstanding documents. All outstanding documents must be received by the RACGP’s Fellowship Services team within two weeks of notification. Any application that remains incomplete after two weeks will be returned to the applicant. Completed applications are forwarded to the College Censor/s for assessment. Once the application form is sent to the College Censor/s, the assessment may take up to four weeks, although the time taken may depend on the number of applications in progress. All applicants will receive a confirmation letter outlining the outcome of their assessment of general practice experience. Applicants should refer to our Assessment of Overseas General Practice Experience and Australian General Practice Experience policy at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy.

Will my general practice experience application form be assessed in time to enrol in the exams?

Intending Practice Eligible applicants who require an assessment of their overseas and/or Australian general practice experience must have their application for recognition of general practice experience postmarked by Friday 13th April 2012, to be considered for enrolment in the 2012.2 exams during the next enrolment intake period. Please refer to www.racgp.org.au/assessment/faqs for exam dates.

If you intend to enrol for the 2013.1 exams, you are advised that there will be another opportunity to enrol for those exams, during the enrolment period in the second half of this year.

Where do I find the application forms to apply to have my overseas and/or Australian general practice experience assessed?

The relevant forms are available at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/pathways/practiceeligible.


Specialist Pathway

What is the Specialist Pathway?

The Specialist Pathway is a new assessment process for doctors who do not hold current Australian medical registration but have recognised general practice qualifications from overseas countries. The Specialist Pathway provides a pathway for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to obtain Fellowship from the RACGP taking into consideration their previous training in general practice.

Fellowship Ad Eundum Gradum applications are managed via the Specialist Pathway Category 1.

Are there any grants available to assist me with the Specialist Pathway?

The RACGP has sourced funding from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing to support international medical graduates participating in the Specialist Pathway.

Interested applicants for the Specialist Pathway grant please refer to www.racgp.org.au/assessment/supportgrants

How do I know which Specialist Pathway category I fall under?

To determine which Specialist Pathway category you fall under, please complete a self categorisation online at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/pathways/specialistpathway.

This will give you information to help identify:

  • Whether you may be eligible to apply for the Specialist Pathway;
  • The eligibility criteria for categorisation as either a Category 1, Category 2 or Category 3 applicant;
  • Requirements for application to the Specialist Pathway; and
  • How to submit an initial application to the AMC.

Please note that this self assessment is only a guide. The RACGP will make all final eligibility and categorisation decisions.

Where do I send my Specialist Pathway application?

Your application with supporting documentation is required to be forwarded to the AMC for more information please visit: www.amc.org.au

Where do I find the application form?

IMGs apply directly to the AMC www.amc.org.au/index.php/img/faqs/apply


Special Considerations & Reconsiderations

Can I withdraw from my enrolment?

Yes, however dependant on the circumstances a refund will only be granted if you provide supporting documentation which outlines why you are unable to attend the exam. This request must be submitted in writing to RACGP - Fellowship Services. A withdrawal fee may apply. For further information please refer to the Withdrawal from Enrolment in College Assessments policy at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy.

Assessment More than 30 days before the exam 29 days or less before the exam
Clinical Knowledge (AKT) $300 No refund without evidence of inability to present for the exam as provided via an application for special consideration, in which case a $300 (or $600 as relevant) withdrawal fee may be withheld
Clinical Decision-Making (KFP or Viva) $300
Clinical Performance (OSCE, ECV, Recorded Consultations, etc) $300
Practice Based Assessment (PBA) (coupled) $600

If an examination date falls on a religious holiday, can it be held on another date?

Candidates should refer to the Allocation of Candidates to Remote Supervision and Established Examination Centres policy at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy for information about special consideration on religious grounds.

If I book myself into an examination segment and then find I'm unable to sit the examination due to illness what should I do?

You can apply to withdraw up until the day of the examination. A withdrawal fee may apply and the fee will be advised at that time. However if special consideration is granted the withdrawal fee may not apply. For further information please refer to Withdrawal from Enrolment in College Assessments policy and the Allocation of Candidates to Remote Supervision and Established Examination Centres policy at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy.

If I am unwell on the day of the examination (or there is a circumstance beyond my control that might detrimentally affect my performance or prevent my attendance) what should I do?

You must notify your State/Territory Faculty Office that you will be unable to attend the examination that you have enrolled in. You can also apply to the College for special consideration. All applications for special consideration must be made in writing to Fellowship Services. Your application must be accompanied by supporting documentation. Refer to the Special Consideration policy at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy.

If I fail any segment of the examination, can I apply to have my exam paper remarked?

There is no provision for the remarking of a failed assessment.

Refer to Section 4.1(ii) of the Special Consideration policy at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy

Can I have a feedback session with the State/Territory Censor while I am waiting for my application for reconsideration to be processed?

No, you will not be eligible for a feedback session until the reconsideration process has been finalised.

If I disagree with a college decision, what are my options?

If you disagree with any college decision, you first need to refer to the relevant college policy such as, Board of Censors' Decisions Reviews policy: www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy

The first step to take, if you do feel you fall within this or one of the similar policies, is to send in a reconsideration request, which can be located within the policy towards the end of the document. Ensure that you submit the request formally in writing with any supporting documentation that you may have, and ensure that you also submit payment for the fee which is $750 for a reconsideration.

Is there a deadline to request a reconsideration?

Once you are notified of the original decision, you have 10 working days to request a reconsideration.

How long will it take before the college acknowledge my request for a reconsideration?

The college will acknowledge receipt of your request within 10 working days.

Who do I address my request for a reconsideration to and where do I send it?

Please address your clearly printed/typed request to RACGP - Fellowship Services.

You can send your request via post to: 1 Palmerston Crescent, South Melbourne, VIC 3205, or you can send your request via email to: fellowshipservices@racgp.org.au

Where do I find the forms relating to a special consideration request, a reconsideration request, or a review request?

Reconsideration request form (25KB)

Review request form (25KB)

Incident report form (40KB)

Special Consideration Request Form (40KB)



Last Modified: 20 April 2012
Authorised By: Fellowship Services

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