The General Practice Experience (Practice Eligible) pathway

If you have been working for a significant period of time in general practice you may be eligible to enrol in the RACGP Fellowship assessments via the General Practice Experience (Practice Eligible) pathway.

This pathway recognises work experience and is a way that international medical graduates (IMGs), also referred to as overseas trained doctors, can gain Fellowship without having to do specialist general practice training (vocational training) in Australia.

If you are an IMG currently working in Australian general practice, you are required to complete four (4) years full time (or its part time equivalent) in general practice, one (1) year of which must have been undertaken in Australia, to be eligible for enrolment in the Fellowship assessments. For the definition of general practice, please see What is general practice? Please note hospital work is not considered to be general practice.

You need to have your time in general practice assessed by the College Censors through a formal application process. The Assessment of General Practice Experience policy outlines what the College Censors take into account when reviewing applications.

For full information, forms, processes and policies about the General Practice Experience (Practice Eligible) pathway please see the Practice Eligible Handbook for further information.

Doctors on the General Practice Experience (Practice Eligible) pathway are able to undertake either the RACGP Fellowship exams, or the Practice Based Assessment (PBA).

If you do not meet the eligibility requirements of the General Practice Experience (Practice Eligible) pathway, you may continue working towards meeting the requirements, or you may wish to consider specialist general practice training (vocational training).  Successful applicants for the training program are called Registrars. For further information please see Medical Students and Registrars.

General practice assessment fees

The fees applicable to the general practice experience assessment process for the 2012-2013 financial year are as follows:

Assessment type	Assessment fees
	Non-member	member
Assessment of overseas & Australian general practice experience	$550	$330
Assessment of Australian general practice experience	$275	$165

In order to be eligible for the 2013.2 examinations applicants must apply to have their time assessed by Friday, 19 April 2013.

The Practice Eligible pathway with Qualifications

A small number of doctors who already work in Australia, hold any of the qualifications listed in the Practice Eligible Handbook, and received medical registration prior to 1 February 2010, are eligible to enrol in the RACGP Fellowship program without having their time assessed. 

Australia - The RACGP Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Training (CSCT)
Belgium - Specialist Certificate in General Practice / Family Medicine
Canada - Certificate in Family Practice from the College of Family Physicians of Canada
Denmark - Specialist Certificate in Family Medicine
Netherlands - Certificate of Specific Training for General Practice
Norway - Certificate of Specific Training for General Medical Practice
Singapore - Master of Medicine (Family Medicine) from the National University in Singapore
South Africa - Member of The College of Family Practitioners of the South African College of General Practice, Registration as a Family Physician with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, Master of Family Medicine, or Master of Prax Medicine
Sweden - Certificate of Specific Training for General Practice
UK - Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Certificate of the Joint Committee in Postgraduate Training for General Practice, or Certificate from the Post Medical Education Training Board
USA - Certificate of the American Board of Family Practice

If you have any questions about this pathway please contact Education Services for further information on 1800 626 901.

Rural Doctors

As an International Medical Graduate, it is likely that you will practice in rural or remote Australia. Contact the National Rural Faculty (NRF) to find out what support and information is available to you.

Ask about the rural fellowship – the Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP).