Training Programs Entry Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to define the principles and requirements for entry into the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program and the Fellowship Support Program (FSP).

2. Scope

2.1 This policy applies to medical practitioners applying for entry into:

1. 1. AGPT
   2. FSP

2.2 This policy is to be read in conjunction with the relevant training program application guide. If there is any inconsistency between this policy and the relevant guide, this policy takes precedence.

3. General Principles

3.1 The RACGP is committed to ensuring that selection for entry into a Training Program is:

1. 1. transparent, rigorous, and fair for all Applicants,

   2. robust, valid, consistent, and free of discrimination, and

   3. based on merit.

3.2 Applicants looking to train towards RG Fellowship need to undertake the FRACGP program via AGPT or FSP to access RG Fellowship training.

3.3 Training Program offers are made according to criteria determined by the RACGP and published in the relevant program’s application guide.

3.4 The RACGP promotes and prioritises Training Program positions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants who meet the entry requirements and commits to providing appropriate supports to ensure we are moving towards training equity.

3.5 The decision to approve entry for Applicants who have previously been withdrawn (voluntarily or involuntarily) from a Training Program is at the RACGP’s sole discretion.

3.6 The decision to approve entry for Applicants who have been subject to disciplinary action, adverse finding or charged with an indictable offense is at the RACGP’s sole discretion.

4. Eligibility

4.1 Applicants must meet the Training Program’s eligibility requirements in place at the time of their application, and maintain compliance throughout the Training Program as outlined in the:

1. 1. AGPT Eligibility and application guide for AGPT Applicants

   2. FSP Application and program guide for FSP Applicants

4.2 Applicants who have previously been withdrawn (voluntarily or involuntarily) from specialist training with any specialist medical college may apply for entry, or re-entry, into AGPT or FSP.

1. 1. Applicants must demonstrate that they have met all the current conditions for entry or re-entry.

   2. The RACGP considers these applications on a case-by-case basis and per the current relevant training program application guide.

4.3 Applicants who wish to re-enter AGPT or FSP after withdrawal must:

1. 1. re-apply for entry and meet the eligibility requirements current at the time of re-application, and

   2. at the time of commencement in training have a minimum of:

      1. two active exam cycles remaining in their Candidacy for AGPT Applicants

      2. one active exam cycle remaining in their Candidacy for FSP Applicants

4.4 Applicants who meet any of the following criteria are only eligible for entry into AGPT or FSP at the discretion of the RACGP:

1. 1. with Addenda that limit their scope of practice, or that could significantly impact on their ability to progress to Fellowship, in the opinion of the RACGP, per the Implications of Restrictions, Conditions, and other Addenda on Medical Registration Guide. 

   2. have been subject to any disciplinary action or adverse finding by any tribunal, court, regulatory body or any other agency in any jurisdiction

   3. charged with any indictable offence in any Australian or overseas jurisdiction

5. Ineligibility

5.1 Applicants who meet any of the following criteria are not eligible for entry into AGPT or FSP:

1. 1. convicted for any indictable offence in an Australian or overseas jurisdiction in the last ten years, based on the date of the conviction,

   2. had their medical registration suspended, cancelled or withdrawn by any regulatory body, tribunal, court or other agency in any jurisdiction in the last ten years, based on the Effective Date

      1. unless the regulatory action is taken in relation to the Applicant’s own health only

   3. with a finding of Serious Academic Misconduct in the last ten years, or

   4. hold or have held any views demonstrated publicly which are considered antithetical to general practice or which in the RACGP’s opinion may constitute a threat to public health or safety.

5.2 Applicants who meet any of the following criteria are not eligible to enter or re-enter AGPT or FSP for ten years from the date of withdrawal:

1. 1. withdrawn (voluntarily or involuntarily) from an RACGP-Approved Program and while on the program:

      1. engaged in Professional Misconduct, and/or Serious Academic Misconduct per the Academic Misconduct Policy

   2. had their RACGP membership terminated as a result of a disciplinary action per the Membership Code of Conduct. 

6. Application requirements

6.1 Applications must contain information that is accurate, current, complete and verifiable.

1. 1. Applications containing plagiarised, false or misleading information will be handled per the Academic Misconduct Policy.

   2. Where artificial intelligence (AI) tools are used to support the development of the application, this must be declared by the Applicant. Failure to do so will be handled per the Academic Misconduct Policy.

6.2 Applicants must provide evidence of their right to practise in Australia in their application, including detail of their Ahpra Medical Registration and, where applicable, of an appropriate valid visa.

1. 1. Evidence of registration must include details of any:

      1. Addenda on the Applicant’s Ahpra Medical Registration and any medical registration they hold overseas and/or

      2. regulatory authority activity, whether in Australia or overseas, that:

         1. has led or may lead to a change in registration status,

         2. has led to an adverse finding for the Applicant, or

         3. forms part of an ongoing investigation

   2. other Notifiable Conduct.

6.3 Applicants who have been subject to any disciplinary action or adverse finding by any tribunal, court, regulatory body or any other agency in any jurisdiction must include:

1. 1. the reasons for those actions or findings, and

   2. the time since the action or adverse finding.

6.4 Applicants who have been charged with any indictable offence in any Australian or overseas jurisdiction, including but not limited to offences where there is the need to prove dishonesty, must disclose:

1. 1. the offence and

   2. when the offence occurred.

6.5 The RACGP may request additional information from the Applicant to inform decisions on eligibility. Applicants must comply with any requests for further information for this purpose.

7. Selection

7.1 Applicants who have had their eligibility assessed and confirmed by the RACGP are required to sit the National Entry Assessment.

7.2 Applicants may only sit the National Entry Assessment once per calendar year (1 January to 31 December).

1. 1. National Entry Assessment outcomes are valid for the calendar year in which the Applicant first applied. The same selection outcome will be used for all applications made in that calendar year, regardless of the Training Program or intake.

8. Disputes, reconsiderations and appeals

8.1 Applicants who believe the RACGP has made an incorrect decision in relation to Training Program eligibility or selection can apply for reconsideration per the Dispute, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy

9. 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.

9.1 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.
9.2 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.
9.3 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.
9.4 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.
9.5 Editorial amendment	An amendment made solely to correct typographical, grammatical, or formatting errors, without altering the policy's scope, intent, or application.

10. Responsibilities

10.1 Censor-in-Chief	Approving minor amendments Approving moderate amendments Approving consequential amendments
10.2 RACGP Board	Approving major amendments
10.3 RACGP	Identifying applicant eligibility and suitability for entry into the training programs Coordinating the national entry assessment Offering training positions to successful applicants
10.4 Applicants	Providing the RACGP with a complete application for the relevant training program Enrolling in and undertaking the national entry assessment if eligible Becoming RACGP financial members after an offer is accepted and before the first day of training. Accepting an offer in writing for a position on the relevant training program if offered and signing the relevant training program agreement. Paying training program fees (when applicable).

 

11. Glossary

11.1 Addenda	Includes, but is not limited to restrictions, conditions, limitations, reprimands, supervision requirements, tribunal outcomes, suspensions, undertakings, and/or any other remarks or changes on their medical registration. Refer to ahpra.gov.au.
11.2 Ahpra Medical Registration	Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) which allows the registrant to practise medicine. Refer to ahpra.gov.au.
11.3 Applicant	The medical practitioner applying for entry into the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program or Fellowship Support Program (FSP).
11.4 Candidacy	The three-year period, separate to training program time, during which a registrar can attempt Fellowship exams.
11.5 Effective Date	The date that a suspension, cancellation or withdrawal of a medical practitioner’s registration comes into effect.
11.6 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).
11.7 National Entry Assessment	A component of the selection process to the AGPT Program and FSP.
11.8 Notifiable Conduct	Per the Medical Board of Australia’s Guidelines for mandatory notifications about registered health practitioners, practising while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, engaging in sexual misconduct in connection with the practice, or placing the public at risk of substantial harm in the practice because of an impairment or by practising in a way that constitutes a significant departure from accepted professional standards.
11.9 Professional Misconduct	As defined in the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009
11.10 Program Time	The length of time required to complete an RACGP-approved program per the Training Program Requirements Policy.
11.11 RACGP-Approved Program	An education or Training Program approved by the RACGP as a suitable avenue to Fellowship, including the: Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program, Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS), Practice Experience Program – Standard Stream Practice Experience Program – Specialist Stream Partially Comparable Stream, Practice Experience Program –Specialist Stream Substantially Comparable Stream. These Training Programs are approved specified programs listed in Division 6 of the Health Insurance Regulations 2018 (Cwlth).
11.12 Serious Academic Misconduct	Cases of substantiated Academic Misconduct, for which the sanctions imposed fall under clauses 7.4. f, k, m, n, o of the Academic Misconduct Policy.
11.13 Training Program	Either the: Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program, or Fellowship Support Program (FSP).

 

12. Related Documents, Legislation and Policies

• Academic Misconduct Policy
• AGPT Eligibility and application guide
• Dispute, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy
• Fellowship examinations handbook
• FSP Application and program guide
• Implications of Restrictions, Conditions, and other Addenda on Medical Registration Guide
• Membership Code of Conduct
• Registrar Support and Educational Interventions Policy
• Training Program Requirements Policy

13. 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.