Training Program Requirements Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline the training program requirements that must be met to support completion of training and progression towards Fellowship with the RACGP.

2. Scope

2.1 This policy applies to:

1. 1. Registrars enrolled in the:

      1. Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program

      2. Fellowship Support Program (FSP)

   2. Post-Fellowship general practitioners (GPs) training towards RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship

2.2 This policy should be read in conjunction with the:

1. 1. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellowship Exam Support Policy

   2. Extensions of Program Time Policy

   3. Program Leave Policy

   4. Requirements for Fellowship Policy

   5. Registrar Support and Educational Interventions Policy

   6. relevant registrar handbooks

      1. If there is any inconsistency between this policy and the relevant handbook, the terms of this policy take precedence.

3. General principles

3.1 Registrars are expected to attain Fellowship within the specified Program Time for the Training Program they are enrolled in and within the Maximum Program Time Cap per the Registrar Support and Educational Interventions Policy.

3.2 Registrars are expected to train continuously while on their Training Program, except when on approved leave per the Program Leave Policy.

3.3 Registrars are expected to meet professional and ethical requirements throughout their Training Program per the Requirements for Fellowship Policy.

3.4 Registrars are responsible for ensuring all applicable program fees are paid on time. For Registrars and GPs training towards Rural Generalist Fellowship, fees may include but are not limited to Additional Rural Skills Training (ARST) registration, and ARST assessment fees.

3.5 Registrars must satisfactorily progress through their Training Program to be eligible to sit Fellowship Exams, per the Fellowship Exams Policy, and be admitted to Fellowship per the Requirements for Fellowship Policy.

3.6 RACGP Training Program requirements are based on:

1. 1. Registrars gaining adequate experience in Comprehensive Australian General Practice with the appropriate level of supervision,

   2. ensuring the safety of the practice community where the Registrar is working, and

   3. Registrars meeting the capabilities and competencies for each applicable milestone of the Progressive capability profile of the general practitioner and the key competency and learning outcomes of the RACGP curriculum and syllabus.

3.7 Training Location Requirements ensure workforce distribution and optimum training experiences.

4. Training program requirements

4.1 Education requirements – successful completion as outlined in the relevant training program handbook including:

1. 1. for AGPT and FSP:

      1. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and health training,

      2. all mandatory education activities, and

      3. the workplace-based assessment program.

   2. AGPT Registrars must attend at least one training advice meeting per term.

   3. FSP Registrars must attend at least one progress meeting per term.

4.2 Training requirements – successful completion as outlined in the relevant training handbook including:

1. 1. Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) certification:

      1. Valid and current BLS training in the 12 months before GPT1 and in the 12 months before applying for Fellowship, and

      2. ALS training in the four years before applying for Fellowship per the Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support Guide.

   2. For AGPT and FSP this also includes:

      1. Practice and patient diversity, demonstrated by experience with:

         1. different general practice supervisors,

         2. different general practice management systems, and

         3. a diversity of patient presentations in relation to age, gender, socioeconomic status and cultural and linguistic background.

   3. Rural Generalist Registrars are required to complete the following additional requirements:

      1. 12 months in rural and remote general practice (MM 3–7),

      2. at least one ALS2-equivalent accredited emergency skills and/or simulation training course either within the 24 months before starting Core Emergency Medicine Training (Core EMT) or during Core EMT,

      3. a minimum of 52 weeks (FTE) of ARST, and

      4. 26 weeks (FTE) of Core EMT.

4.3 Program Time

1. 1. Only training approved as part of the Training Program counts towards Program Time.

   2. Prior learning and experience can reduce overall Program Time if approved per the Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience Policy.

   3. Approved Remediation terms will pause Program Time.

   4. Leave from the Training Program (categories 1, 3, 4, & 5) does not count towards Program Time.

      1. Additional leave (category 2 leave) counts as Program Time, unless otherwise advised by the RACGP per the Program Leave Policy.

   5. Program specific requirements:

      1. AGPT Registrars are expected to complete the training program requirements within four years (FTE) from the Commencement of Training. This includes at least:

         1. 52 weeks (FTE) at an approved hospital (or equivalent RPLE),

         2. 18 months (FTE) at an accredited general practice under accredited supervision (GPT1, GPT2 and GPT3), and

         3. 26 weeks (FTE) of Extended Skills Training at an approved Training Site.

            1. AGPT Registrars undertaking RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship training are expected to complete the training program requirements within six years (FTE) from the Commencement of Training.

      2. FSP Registrars enrolled in the 2026.2 program or earlier are expected to complete the training program requirements within five years from the Commencement of Training.

         1. FSP Registrars must complete all education requirements in two years from the Commencement of Training.

         2. FSP Registrars must complete all Consolidation requirements in three years following the completion of the education requirements.

            1. FSP Registrars undertaking RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship training are expected to complete the training program requirements within 6.5 years from the Commencement of Training.

      3. FSP Registrars enrolled in the 2027.1 program or later are expected to complete the training program requirements (including the Fundamentals Term) within four years (FTE) from the Commencement of Training.

         1. FSP Registrars undertaking RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship training are expected to complete the training program requirements within 6 years from the Commencement of Training.

      4. Post-Fellowship Rural Generalist:

         1. Post-Fellowship GPs undertaking RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship training are expected to complete all training requirements in two years (FTE) from the commencement of Rural Generalist training.

            1. Post-Fellowship GPs who have not previously worked in rural general practice may have up to three years (FTE) to complete all training requirements from the commencement of Rural Generalist training on a case-by-case basis.

   6. Part-Time Training:

      1. AGPT Registrars may apply to the RACGP to undertake Part-Time Training at any time during the Training Program.

         1. The RACGP expects that Registrars will complete Out-of-Practice Education on a full-time basis for GPT1 and GPT2.

      2. AGPT Registrars who are in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) may apply to undertake less than the minimum Part-Time Training requirements in GPT3 and Extended Skills Training terms to enable placement in a civilian general practice while also meeting ADF commitments.

      3. FSP Registrars enrolled in the 2026.2 program or earlier and working part time are expected to complete all education and training requirements on a full-time basis.

      4. FSP Registrars enrolled in the 2027.1 program or later are expected to complete Out-of-Practice Education on a full-time basis for the Fundamentals term, GPT1 and GPT2.

      5. Post-Fellowship GPs training towards RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship may apply to undertake Part-Time Training at any time during their Rural Generalist training.

         1. Post-Fellowship GPs undertaking Part-Time Training must complete all training requirements in four years (FTE) from commencing Rural Generalist training.

      6. Part-Time Training requirements:

         1. In each Training Site a minimum of 14.5 hours in a working week, and

         2. over at least two days per week, and

         3. a minimum of 10.5 hours in face-to-face, rostered, patient consultation time undertaking general practice activities.

            1. Clinical extended skills posts in hospital settings and non-general practice settings (AGPT).

               1. Registrars can work less than 14.5 hours per week (minimum 3.5 hours) as long as this is done while also working in another clinical post/s. When combined, these roles must include at least 10.5 hours per week of clinical, rostered, face-to-face patient contact time.

            2. Non-clinical extended skills posts (AGPT)

               1. Registrars can work less than 14.5 hours per week (minimum 3.5 hours) as long as this is done while also working in another clinical post/s. When combined, these roles must include at least 10.5 hours per week of clinical, rostered, face-to-face patient contact time.

                  1. At least 50 per cent of the total hours worked must be in a clinical setting.

            3. Approved academic post positions are considered on a case-by-case basis. 

   5. Training location requirements

   5.1 Registrars must comply with the Training Location Requirements of their Training Program.

   1. 1. Registrars must undertake their training within Australia and Australian external territories.

         1. ADF Registrars are eligible to undertake approved Extended Skills Training overseas.

      2. ADF Registrars on the AGPT Program can meet their Training Location Requirements by commencing work within the ADF health services.

   5.2 AGPT – General Training Stream

   1. 1. Registrars, full-time or part-time, must undertake 52 calendar weeks of their Core Vocational Training in general practice settings located Outside Inner Metropolitan Areas.

         1. Registrars can meet this requirement by training in an approved Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training post in MM 1–7 locations in:

            1. an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS), or

            2. an Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS).

   5.3 AGPT – Rural Training Stream

   1. 1. AGPT Registrars must undertake all Core Vocational Training in Training Sites in Modified Monash Model (MMM) 2–7 locations.

      2. AGPT Registrars who are subject to Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 must undertake all their training with the rural stream in Training Sites located in MM 2–7 locations.

   5.4 FSP Registrars

   1. 1. FSP Registrars must undertake all training in accredited Training Sites in MM 2–7 locations.

      2. FSP Registrars who are subject to Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 must undertake all their training in Training Sites located in MM 2–7 locations and meet section 19AB requirements.

   5.5 Rural Generalist Fellowship Registrars

   1. 1. Rural Generalist Fellowship Registrars must undertake at least 52 weeks (FTE) of General Practice Training in MM 3–7 locations.

   5.6 Dual-Fellowship Registrars

   1. 1. Registrars undertaking both General Practice Colleges’ AGPT programs, must undertake both programs concurrently in combined units that meet the dual curriculum and program requirements.

   6. Training location commitments

   6.1 Training Location Commitments (when applicable) are in addition to Training Location Requirements.

   6.2 Registrars must meet any Training Location Commitments set by the region/subregion where applicable as outlined in their offer.

   7. Amendment of this policy

   The Censor-in-Chief (CiC) may, without the consent of the RACGP Board, make minor, moderate and consequential amendments to this policy at any time. The Education & Training Policy Lead can make editorial amendments (no approval required by the Censor-in-Chief).

   If the CiC makes amendments, they must advise the RACGP Board of those amendments as soon as practicable.

   The RACGP Board may make amendments to this policy at any time.

   7.1 Major amendment	An amendment that materially changes the policy’s scope, intent, or application, including overhauling key sections, redefining the policy’s purpose, or fundamentally reallocating responsibilities.
   7.2 Moderate amendment	An amendment that makes a targeted change to one or more policy clauses, modifying applicable requirements or assigned responsibilities, with a limited and contained effect on the policy’s overall scope, intent, or application.
   7.3 Minor amendment	An amendment that makes deliberate improvements to policy content, such as clarifying ambiguous language, updating outdated references, terminology or contact details, or restructuring content, without altering the policy’s scope, intent, or application.
   7.4 Consequential amendment	An amendment made to ensure alignment with a change introduced in another policy. It is not initiated independently but is a direct consequence of an approved change in another policy.
   7.5 Editorial amendment	An amendment made solely to correct typographical, grammatical, or formatting errors, without altering the policy’s scope, intent, or application.

   
   8. Responsibilities

   8.1 Censor-in-Chief	Approving minor amendments Approving moderate amendments Approving consequential amendments
   8.2 RACGP	Supporting the registrar to meet their training requirements Assessing requests for part-time training, working to make accommodations where appropriate
   8.3 RACGP Board	Approving major amendments
   8.4 Registrar	Completing all training program requirements Applying to undertake training on a part-time basis, if required
   8.5 Post-fellowship GP	Completing all Rural Generalist Fellowship training requirements Applying to undertake training on a part-time basis, if required

   
   9. Glossary

   9.1 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS)	A primary health care service that is initiated and operated by the local community to deliver holistic, comprehensive and culturally appropriate health care to the community.
   9.2 Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS)	A health service funded primarily to provide services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
   9.3 Additional Rural Skills Training (ARST)	52 calendar weeks (FTE) in an accredited training post that provides the appropriate depth and breadth of experience necessary to meet the requirements of the particular ARST curriculum.
   9.4 Advanced Life Support (ALS)	The provision of effective airway management, ventilation of the lungs and production of a circulation by means of techniques additional to those of BLS. These techniques should include, but are not limited to, advanced airway management, vascular access/drug therapy and defibrillation. Refer to the Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support Guide.
   9.5 Australian Defence Force (ADF)	The military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia and its national interests. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Australian Army, and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
   9.6 Basic Life Support (BLS)	The preservation of life by the initial establishment of, and/or maintenance of, airway, breathing, circulation and related emergency care, including use of an automated external defibrillator. Refer to the Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support Guide.
   9.7 Commencement of Training	The first day on which the registrar begins their RACGP-approved program, including on approved leave where appropriate.
   9.8 Comprehensive Australian General Practice	A practice that addresses the health needs of all people living in Australia equitably and is grounded in holistic, ethical and patient‑centred care. It spans the full breadth of patient demographics, clinical presentations and practice settings, including care for underserved populations. It is evidence‑based and not limited to a specific subset of general practice. Refer to Comprehensive Australian general practice guide.
   9.9 Consolidation	The phase in the FSP program after the education requirements have been satisfactorily completed and in which registrars are eligible to sit Fellowship exams.
   9.10 Core Emergency Medicine Training (Core EMT)	A mandatory component (minimum of 6 months) of the Rural Generalist Fellowship that is designed to strengthen rural general practice training by providing registrars with the skills and confidence to manage emergency situations in rural and remote environments.
   9.11 Core Vocational Training	General practice term (GPT)1, GPT2, GPT3 and extended skills training term of the AGPT Program.
   9.12 Dual Fellowship	Fellowship with both the RACGP and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
   9.13 Extended Skills Training	A 26-calendar week (FTE) term undertaken to extend the depth and breadth of the registrar’s skill base in an area relevant to general practice.
   9.14 Fellowship	Admittance to either: Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP), or FRACGP and Rural Generalist Fellowship (FRACGP-RG).
   9.15 Fellowship Exams	The exams run by the RACGP to assess the candidate’s competency for unsupervised general practice anywhere in Australia, including: Applied Knowledge Test (AKT), Key Feature Problem (KFP), and Clinical Competency Exam (CCE).
   9.16 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)	The number of hours worked as a proportion of full-time training (when a registrar undertakes part-time training).
   9.17 Full-Time Training	A 38-hour working week, over a minimum of four days per week. A minimum of 27 hours must be in face-to-face, rostered, patient consultation time undertaking general practice activities. Work periods of less than three consecutive hours, or less than four calendar weeks in any one training site, are not considered. Hours worked beyond this definition of full time are not considered.
   9.18 Fundamentals Term	A six-month (FTE) term for FSP registrars who have limited or provisional registration or limited Australian healthcare experience or do not meet the paediatric competency requirements.
   9.19 General Practice College	Either the: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), or Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
   9.20 General Practice Training (GPT)	Core vocational training (26-week periods) referred to as GPT1, GPT2, GPT3, GPT4/extended skills and ARST. For FSP the fundamentals term is also considered a general practice training term.
   9.21 Maximum Program Time Cap	The longest permitted timeframe (12 years) for a registrar to achieve Fellowship (FRACGP), starting from the commencement of training on the first approved program/pathway (AGPT, FSP, PEP SP, PEP ST, RVTS or ACRRM). Refer to the Registrar Support and Educational Interventions Policy
   9.22 Modified Monash Model (MMM)	The Modified Monash Model is a classification system that categorises metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas according to both geographical remoteness and town size. The MM classification for any given area can be found by using the Health Workforce Locator.
   9.23 Outside Inner Metropolitan Areas	Locations that sit outside highly-populated urban areas. These include outer metropolitan areas (outer areas of major cities that have less access to healthcare services, a subset of MM 1) and MM 2–7 locations.
   9.24 Out-of-Practice Education	Education that occurs outside of regular clinical practice, requiring specific resourcing not easily provided within the practice environment, including interactions with experienced practitioners and educators from outside the registrar’s work environment.
   9.25 Part-Time Training	At least 14.5 hours over a minimum of two days per week in one training site, of which at least 10.5 hours is face-to-face, rostered, patient consultation time, undertaking general practice activities. Work periods of less than three consecutive hours, or of less than four calendar weeks in any one training site are not considered.
   9.26 Program Time	The length of time required to complete an RACGP-approved program.
   9.27 Recognition of Prior Experience and Learning (RPLE)	A formal process for assessing a medical practitioner’s previous education, training or experience to determine whether it meets specified requirements to reduce the required training time.
   9.28 Registrar	A medical practitioner enrolled in the: Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program, or Fellowship Support Program (FSP).
   9.29 Remediation	An approved additional term of program time in which the registrar receives further support in order to address performance concerns.
   9.30 Training Location Commitments (TLCs)	Additional training location requirements set by regions/subregions that are part of the initial registrar offer. Not all training regions have additional TLCs in place.
   9.31 Training Location Requirements (TLRs)	Mandatory requirements set by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing for registrars on a Commonwealth-funded training program (AGPT registrars) to complete training in designated geographic locations.
   9.32 Training Program	Either the: Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program, or Fellowship Support Program (FSP).
   9.33 Training Site	A health service accredited by the RACGP where the Registrar may undertake their general practice training. For AGPT Registrars, this excludes the mandatory hospital training time.
   9.34 Training Stream	Subdivisions/pathways of the AGPT Program. These are: the general stream, and the rural stream.

   
   10. Related documents, legislation and policies

   • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellowship Support Policy

   • ADF Handbook

   • AGPT Registrar Training Handbook

   • Basic life support and advanced life support guide

   • Comprehensive Australian general practice guide

   • Dispute, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy

   • Extensions of Program Time Policy

   • Fellowship Exams Policy

   • FSP Registrar Handbook

   • Program Leave Policy

   • Progressive capability profile of the general practitioner

   • RACGP curriculum and syllabus

   • RACGP 10-year moratorium webpage (section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973)

   • Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience (RPLE) Policy

   • Requirements for Fellowship Policy

   • Section 19AB restricted doctors and access to Medicare

   
   11. Policy review and currency

   This policy will be reviewed every three calendar years from the last approval date, or when there is a significant change in the intent of the policy. This policy remains valid and applicable notwithstanding if it is overdue for review.

   Version history

    

   Version	Date of effect	Amended by
   6	30/09/2026	Education and Training Policy Coordinator
   Amendment details	‘General principles’ updated with a reference to the maximum program time cap More information added on part-time training requirements in extended skills training posts
   5	09/07/2026	Education and Training Policy Coordinator
   Amendment details	Content updated and re-organised for clarity and accuracy. ‘RVTS’ removed from the scope (in consultation with RVTS, RVTS is a pathway to FRACGP and is covered by the Requirements for Fellowship Policy). ‘Scope’ updated to clarify that it does not include RACGP staff. ‘General principles’ updated to clarify links with related policies and to reference financial requirements in support of registrar wellbeing and transparency. Section on ‘Application and selection process’ renamed as ‘Training program requirements’ for accuracy. Section on ‘Education and Training Requirements’ replaced with separate sections on ‘Education requirements’ and ‘Training requirements’ and more detail on these requirements added per the relevant registrar handbooks. Section on ‘Professional conduct requirements’ removed as this sits at a level above training program requirements, in the Requirements for Fellowship Policy. Section on ‘Program time’ updated with more detail including information on ‘Leave from the training program…’ and program specific requirements and for registrars undertaking RG Fellowship training. Reference to program time for AGPT registrars seeking RACGP RG Fellowship and undertaking dual Fellowship removed as dual Fellowship with ACRRM is no longer available for new applicants. Clause added on ‘Post-Fellowship GPs who have not previously worked in rural general practice…’. Section on ‘Part-time training’ added for clarity, including information relevant to ADF registrars, more detail for FSP Registrars and to outline the minimum requirements for part-time training. References to process and/or exemptions to policy removed from this document. For AGPT registrars: ‘The registrar may request to complete Out-of-Practice Education on a part-time basis as part of their Part-Time Training application’ and ‘Local teams have the discretion to approve Extended Skills Training and Additional Rural Skills Training in MM 1 locations, where these training opportunities are not available in their training region.’. For FSP Registrars: ‘or in the case of Extenuating and Unforeseen Circumstances, eligible MM 1 locations’ (from the clause on ‘The Registrar must undertake all their training in accredited Training Sites in MM 2–7 locations…’). Section on ‘Training location requirements’ updated and more information added for ADF registrars (‘…by commencing work within the ADF health services’) and for AGPT registrars on the general stream (‘Registrars... must undertake 52 calendar weeks of their Core Vocational Training in general practice settings...’). Section on ‘Training location commitments’ added for clarity.
   4	02/05/2023	Education Policy and Guidance Coordinator
   Amendment details	Amendment to reflect correct policy and document titles: Comprehensive Australian general practice guide Dispute, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy Extensions of Program Time Policy Requirements for Fellowship Policy
   3	The start date of the first term of the Training Program in 2023	Education Policy and Guidance Lead
   Amendment details	Amendment to clause relating to Program Time Requirements. Amendment to the responsibilities for Post-fellowship GP’s undertaking the Rural Generalist Fellowship.
   2	The start date of the first term of the Training Program in 2023	Education Policy and Guidance Lead
   Amendment details	Amendment to clause 2 to clarify scope. Amendments to clause relating to Program Time requirements. Amendment to clause relating to Training Location requirements. Clarification to governance for rural pathway transfer. Definition of Registrar has been updated to include a medical practitioner enrolled in the Fellowship Support Program (FSP). Links have been updated throughout where documents have become available.
   1	The start date of the first term of the Training Program in 2023	Education Policy and Guidance Lead
   Amendment details	The policy now includes all mandatory training progression requirements, including: Education and Training Requirements, Competency requirements, Program Time requirements, including Part-Time Training, Training location requirements, and Dual Fellowship Registrars.
   Policy owner:	RACGP Board
   Approved by:	RACGP Board	Approved on:	23/06/2022
   Next Review Due:	10/2029