FRACGP-RG


A streamlined process with zero fees until May 2024

RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship Training Handbook

FRACGP-RG


A streamlined process with zero fees until May 2024

RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship Training Handbook
Education > Explore a GP career > Rural Generalist Fellowship

FRACGP to FRACGP-RG: A streamlined approach

Are you a rural GP with substantive experience working in rural or remote areas?

We’re making it easier for FRACGP and FARGPs to be assessed for a Rural Generalist (RG) Fellowship through recognition of prior learning and experience. This streamlined assessment process for RG is part of our continued commitment to members supporting our regional and remote communities.  

Plus, we’re waiving the fee until 17 May 2024.

To apply for RPLE as a FRACGP, click here.

To apply for RPLE as a FARGP, click here.

Want to know more?

In our latest webinar, Dr Ken Wanguhu, Assoc Prof Michael Clements and Dr Karin Jodlowski-Tan discuss the streamlined RPLE process and answer all your eligibility questions.

Watch the webinar  

What is the Rural Generalist Fellowship?

The RG Fellowship is awarded in addition to the vocational Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP). It recognises the uniquely diverse set of skills and knowledge required to work in rural general practice.  

The RG Fellowship is available to: 

  • Registrars in the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program, Fellowship Support Program (FSP) and the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) 
  • Practicing GPs who have already been admitted as FRACGP

Why become a Rural Generalist?

GPs are an integral part of rural communities. While a GP with FRACGP can practice unsupervised anywhere in Australia, the additional skills gained as part of the Rural Generalist Fellowship extend your scope of practice for rural and remote communities. 

As an FRACGP-RG you’ll have the chance to develop your knowledge, skills and experience to meet the challenges that rural practice brings, with the support of a College that’s been training rural GPs for over 60 years. 



Apply now Transition from FARGP to RG

The RG Fellowship is a four-year FTE program that is completed in addition to the FRACGP.

Training requirements   Rural Generalist Fellowship 
Hospital term  12 months full time equivalent (FTE) hospital term (can be postgraduate year 2 or above)
Rural GP terms  18 months FTE community-based general practice (including a minimum of 12 months FTE in rural MMM3-7 location)
Additional Rural Skills Training (ARST)  12 months FTE of skills training in an accredited training post with the Rural Generalist Fellowship curriculums.
Emergency medicine  Core-emergency medicine training including 6 months FTE of training in an accredited emergency medicine facility with appropriate supervision.
Learning plan and reflection  Online skills self-assessment, reflection and learning activities. 
Community project  Optional activity unless required by ARST curriculum (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health).

 

The following table compares the training requirements of the two RACGP Fellowships.

RACGP Fellowship (three years)  RACGP RG Fellowship (four years) 

12 months hospital training time 

12 months hospital training time 

18 months general practice terms 

18 months general practice terms 

6 months extended skills training (hospital, community general practice or community non-general practice setting) 

6 months core emergency medicine training

12 months additional rural skills training (ARST) 

Optional 6 months extended skills training (hospital, community general practice or community non-general practice setting) 

Admittance to Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP) 

Admittance to Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP) and the RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship (FRACGP-RG) 

Further information is available in the RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship Training Handbook
From 17 November 2023 until 17 May 2024, practising GPs applying for RG Fellowship via recognition of prior learning and experience will pay zero fees.

AGPT new applicants and current registrars

There is no registration fee for new applicants or current AGPT registrars.

The Additional Rural Skills Training (ARST) fee of $2,800 (GST free) will be charged right before you start your Additional Rural Skills Training post. The ARST fee is only payable for the six RACGP managed ARSTs. The ARST fees for anaesthetics, obstetrics and emergency medicine are administered by the relevant medical college (ANZCA, RANZCOG or ACEM).

RVTS and FSP registrars

A $950 (GST free) registration fee is applicable to all RVTS and FSP registrars, in addition to the ARST fee of $2,800 (GST free).

Practising GP new applicants

A $950 (GST free) registration fee is applicable to all practising GP new applicants (those who do not already hold the FARGP). If you are applying for Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience (RPLE) for your ARST, the ARST fee may not apply to you.

GPs with FARGP

GPs with FARGP have until 30 June 2024 to apply for the Rural Generalist Fellowship via recognition of prior learning and experience. An application fee of $675 (GST free) is applicable. From 1 July 2024, additional training and/or administration fees may apply.

Rural Generalist (RG) Fellowship

AGPT or RVTS registrars
As a full time AGPT or RVTS RG Fellowship registrar, you’re expected to achieve Fellowship within six years from the commencement of training. Part-time trainees will need to achieve Fellowship within a timeframe that reflects that part-time status in accordance with RACGP requirements. This training cap includes all training terms, including an additional 52 weeks FTE to complete your ARST and another 52 weeks FTE to allow for leave and extensions of training time, if required.

FSP registrars
You’re expected to achieve Fellowship within five calendar years from the commencement of training.

Practising GPs
You’re expected to achieve Fellowship within two calendar years from commencing training or from date of enrolment if no further training is required (you’re applying for Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience (RPLE) for all components).

Further information is available in the RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship Training Handbook

 

Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP)

AGPT registrars
As a full time AGPT FARGP Fellowship registrar, you’re expected to achieve Fellowship within six years from the commencement of training. Part-time trainees will need to achieve Fellowship within a timeframe that reflects that part-time status in accordance with RACGP requirements. This training cap includes all training terms, including an additional 52 weeks FTE to complete your ARST and another 52 weeks FTE to allow for leave and extensions of training time, if required.

RVTS registrars
You’re expected to achieve Fellowship within four calendar years from the commencement of training.

Practising GPs
You’re expected to achieve Fellowship within four calendar years from commencing training or from date of enrolment if no further training is required (you’re applying for Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience (RPLE) for all components).

Junior doctors and interns can apply for the RG Fellowship as part of their AGPT application.

Current general practice registrars (AGPT, RVTS, FSP) can apply to complete the RG Fellowship at any point during their training – this includes AGPT, RVTS and FSP registrars. You should first talk to your medical educator and training coordinator and then complete the GPs in Training application form here.

Practising GPs can apply here.

FRACGP holders can apply here.

FARGP holders can apply to obtain the Rural Generalist Fellowship until 30 June 2024 by completing the application form here.

AGPT and RVTS registrars

If you start training towards the RG Fellowship but your circumstances change, you can opt out of training as an RG and continue to train towards the RACGP Fellowship (FRACGP). You may opt into the RG Fellowship at any point during the AGPT program, from either the general or rural pathways. For more information see the AGPT Withdrawal and re-entry webpage.

FSP registrars and practising GPs

You can opt out of training as an RG should your circumstances change. Requests for withdrawal should be submitted in writing via email to rg@racgp.org.au addressed to the Manager, RACGP Rural. 

  • If you elect to withdraw from the RG Fellowship (FRACGP-RG) within seven Business Days of the confirmation of your enrolment, you will be eligible to apply for a refund of the program fee less a $300 administration fee.
  • If you elect to withdraw from the FRACGP-RG after seven Business Days of the confirmation of your enrolment, no refund will be provided.
  • If you elect to withdraw from the FRACGP-RG before confirmation of your enrolment and before registration fee payment, you will be withdrawn from the program.

You will be withdrawn, without refund, from the program by RACGP Rural should you fail to complete the FRACGP-RG requirements within the required timeframe.

Notes:

  1. The enrolment confirmation process is when you receive an invoice with a due date to pay the registration fee.
  2. The refund application process is for eligible applicants only who have elected to withdraw from RG Fellowship within seven Business Days of enrolment confirmation. Eligible applications should be submitted in writing via email to rg@racgp.org.au addressed to the Manager, RACGP Rural.

If you lodge an Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience for FRACGP-RG application form between 17 November 2023 and 17 May 2024 (Waiver Period), RACGP will waive the relevant application fee. 

If you are a FRACGP, the current application fee is $950. If you are a FARGP, the current application fee is $675. 

If you lodge an application after the Waiver Period has ended, you will be charged the relevant application fee. 

If you need to complete additional training to gain your FRACGP-RG, then you remain responsible for the payment of those costs. 

The FRACGP-RG was launched in July 2022. If you have already been awarded your FRACGP-RG through a process of recognition of prior learning and experience and paid an application fee, you are eligible to claim one (1) RACGP conference registration voucher. This offer is being made in recognition of your early support of the Rural Generalist Fellowship.

The voucher will entitle you to one (1) free RACGP conference registration, to attend the RACGP GP24 conference either in person or online, in Perth, November 2024 during the 2024 calendar year.
 
The voucher can only be used is for a single conference registration fee only. The voucher cannot be used for any travel, accommodation, meals, transfers, entertainment or any other expenses associated with attending the conference.  It is also non-transferrable, non-exchangeable and not redeemable for cash.

The standard terms and conditions associated with the attendance at an RACGP conference will apply.

To claim your free RACGP conference registration voucher, you must email rural@racgp.org.au by no later than 17 May 2024, and provide the following details;

• Title, First name, Surname
• Organisation
• Address
• Email
• Mobile
• Member number

If you gained your FRACGP-RG as part of a registrar training pathway, you are not eligible to claim a conference registration voucher.

If you have any questions, please email us at rural@racgp.org.au

Rural Generalist Fellowship
Additional Rural Skills Training     

Access ARST options and curriculums

Pre-2022

Additional Rural Skills Training

Access ARST options and curriculums

Core emergency medicine training

Emergency medicine training requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience

Find out about recognition of prior learning and experience (RPLE)

Practising GPs

Find out about the pathway for the practising GPs

Community project

Find out more about the community project

Rural Generalist Medicine  

Find out more about RG specialist recognition.

Workplace-based assessments

See the workplace-based assessments required for your training. 

Frequently asked questions

  Read the FAQs 

Enquiries

For further details please contact the Rural team on:
1800 636 764
rg@racgp.org.au
  • Candidates enrolled in the FARGP are invited to transition to the FRACGP-RG via a recognition of prior learning application process and have until 30 June 2024 to apply 
  • Members who hold the FARGP are invited to obtain the FRACGP-RG via a recognition of prior learning application (fee applicable) and have until 30 June 2024 to apply