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Pathways to Fellowship

There are three pathways that GPs can follow to work towards Fellowship of the RACGP:

1. the RACGP Specialist Pathway
2. the RACGP Practice Eligible pathway (experience or qualification)
3. Vocational Training Route (via Australian General Practice Training [AGPT] or Remote Vocational Training [RVTS])

Specialist Pathway Program

The Specialist Pathway Program (SPP) is an assessment process for general practitioners who do not hold current Australian medical registration but have recognised general practice qualifications from overseas countries. The SPP provides a pathway for 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 SPP Category 1.

Practice Eligible pathway

There are two practice eligible pathways:

Practice Eligible – Recognised general practice experience
This pathway is available to general practitioners who have, amongst other qualifying criteria, at least four years of fulltime general practice experience, of which, at least one year has been gained in Australia. For further information or to download a copy of the application form see Practice Eligible Pathway.

Practice Eligible – Recognised General Practice Qualifications
Applicants with Australian medical registration obtained on or before 31 January 2010, and who have recognised general practice or family medicine specialist qualifications may be eligible to enrol in the College examination. For further information refer to Practice Eligible Pathway.

Vocational Training pathway

The Vocational training pathway is accessed via selection into either the Australian General Practice Training Program (AGPT) or through the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS).

AGPT Registrars
The AGPT is funded by the Australian government and managed by General Practice Education and Training (GPET). GPET oversees training standards to ensure they meet RACGP standards. The AGPT is a vocational training program for registrars who want to specialise in general practice.

RVTS Registrars
The Remote Vocational Training Scheme is funded by the Australian Government and managed by Remote Vocational Training Scheme Ltd. The RVTS is a vocational training program for medical practitioners in remote and isolated communities throughout rural and remote Australia. The purpose of the program is to train doctors in remote communities for remote communities.

A flowchart of the various pathways to Fellowship is available below.

Eligibility requirements

Eligibility requirements for enrolment in the college’s Fellowship assessments, all applicants are referred to the Enrolment Options and Procedures policy and Eligibility for Assessment policy available at www.racgp.org.au/assessment/policy

A flowchart of the various pathways to Fellowship of the RACGP is available below.

Last Modified: 18 August 2011
Authorised By: Fellowship Services