FSP consolidation phase

The consolidation phase, previously referred to as ‘post-education', is the period of your training after you have satisfactorily completed the Fellowship Support Program (FSP) educational requirements.

This phase ends either when you are admitted to Fellowship or when your exam candidacy period expires. The duration of the phase may vary depending on your progress through the exams, candidacy suspensions, or fulfillment of other Fellowship requirements. 

• Assessment of registrar's eligibility to commence Fellowship examinations is determined by the Fellowship Exams Policy. 
• When exam eligible, candidates have six exam semesters (36 months) - known as the candidacy period - during which they can attempt Fellowship exams. 
• A candidate may be awarded an additional six months of consolidation time for awarding of Fellowship (pending successful exam attempts). 

The term 'post-education' for the FSP will be replaced by the term ‘consolidation’ from January 2025. This reflects a more accurate description of the purpose and activities involved in this stage of the FSP.  

During the consolidation phase, registrars build on the knowledge and skills acquired during their education component while focusing on consolidating their clinical competencies and preparing for the Fellowship exams. The term 'consolidation' better highlights the active process of refining and solidifying professional practice, as well as continued progression toward independent, unsupervised general practice. 

The consolidation phase can last up to three calendar years following the completion of the education and training component. However, its length is flexible and depends on how quickly you progress through the Fellowship exams and Fellowship.

• Administrative Support: We will continue to help with your leave and program time, ensuring you stay on track. 
• Regular reviews: Expect regular reviews by your Program Officer and Medical Educator to monitor your progress, with the frequency determined by your individual needs. 
• Educational Support:
  • Access hundreds of CPD approved, practical, interactive, and engaging exam support online modules on gplearning. 
  • Supervisor reports ensuring that you are progressing. 
  • Medical Educator (ME) support for completion of training and minor educational queries. 
  • AKT and KFP preparation sessions. 
  • General post-exam feedback webinars. 

To be eligible to be admitted to Fellowship, you must meet the Requirements for Fellowship policy which outlines: 

• Education and training program requirements. 
• Clinical experience requirements (includes passing all Fellowship exams).
• Experience requirements: 
  • Program time - two calendar years 
  • Experience - minimum of three years (FTE) general practice experience in the past 10 years (including overseas experience), of which at least two years (FTE) must be in comprehensive Australian general practice (all GPE must be determined by a valid GPE assessment outcome, assessed as per the Assessment of General Practice Experience Policy.
• Administrative requirements. 
• Professional and ethical requirements. 

Please refer to the Preparing for Fellowship section of the FSP Registrar handbook for full details of the eligibility requirements for Fellowship. 

Yes. It’s a requirement for FSP registrars to work a minimum of 14.5 hours over two days per week at an eligible location. The consolidation phase is still considered as part of your training time and the same training site requirements apply as during your education component.  
   
You also need to ensure you have current General Practice Experience (GPE) (four years in the previous ten) to apply for Fellowship after passing exams.  
 
If you are considering changing your training site, you must submit a ‘Change in Circumstance’ form via the FSP portal. The new training site must be an accredited training site and comply with the General Practice Fellowship Program Placement Guidelines. Please note that a $200 administration fee applies for processing this change. 

Accredited practices are designed to provide you with the best possible training experience, meeting RACGP standards for supervision, infrastructure, and learning opportunities. 

A non-accredited site could lead to challenges, as the site may not meet accreditation requirements. This could disrupt your training or delay your progress toward Fellowship, so it’s important to choose an accredited practice. 

For more information, please refer to the General Practice Fellowship Program Placement Guidelines. 

The RACGP Fellowship Support Program is classified as a rural training program, and participants are required to train in MM 2-7 areas as per government requirements. Your location requirements remain the same as in the education phase, registrars must continue training in an MM2-7 location throughout the program.

This ensures you gain valuable experience in diverse community settings while contributing to healthcare in areas where general practitioners are most needed. 

Your accredited supervisor must meet the same accreditation requirements as during the education phase, including the requirement that supervisors must not oversee more than three doctors. The level of supervision you receive during consolidation will depend on your existing skills, competency, and the structures in place at your training site. Your supervisor should attend in person as required and will continue to monitor your training site until you are awarded Fellowship.

If you need to change supervisors during the consolidation phase, you must submit a ‘Change in Circumstance’ form via the FSP portal. The new supervisor must also be an accredited supervisor.

To be eligible to sit Fellowship exams, you must meet the following GPE requirements:

• You require 1 year (FTE) of GPE in the past four years, which must be in comprehensive Australian general practice.

Key Points to Remember:

• All GPE must be determined by a valid GPE assessment outcome, assessed as per the Assessment of General Practice Experience Policy.
• If you do not yet meet the requirements, you will need to gain additional experience and submit a GPE top-up application for reassessment.
• A GPE assessment can take up to 10 weeks to assess, and if you don’t have a valid GPE assessment outcome by the close of enrolments for the relevant exam period, you’ll be unable to enrol in the exam.
• Taking leave may affect your ability to meet (GPE) requirements.

For step-by-step instructions on how to complete your GPE application, please read both the Applying for a general practice experience assessment guidance document and the Assessment of general practice experience policy

It is your responsibility to meet the GPE requirements by the end of your two years in the education component and maintain a valid GPE assessment.

We strongly recommend you work full-time to acquire the required experience needed for exam eligibility and Fellowship as insufficient GPE is not an accepted reason for delaying exams.

Candidacy is a three-year period comprising six exam semesters. You progress through candidacy regardless of whether or not you sit an exam. Passing all Fellowship exams within this timeframe is required for Fellowship eligibility. 

Refer to the Fellowship Exams Policy for more details.   

Yes, during the consolidation phase, you must actively sit exams and make measurable progress toward Fellowship. Please refer to the Fellowship Exams Policy that outlines the requirements for Registrars to sit the Fellowship Exams. 

• If you have not previously sat any exams: You will have 3 years (or 6 exam semesters) to successfully complete all three exams. 
• If you’ve already started sitting exams: Your exam candidacy was paused during the education phase, but any exam passes from 2019.1 onwards remain valid. Once in the consolidation phase, your exam candidacy will become active again. You can view your candidacy on the RACGP website under your login. 

Make sure to check your exam candidacy status, ensure you maintain eligibility (including a valid general practice experience assessment), and enrol in the next available exam semester. 

Please note: You are responsible for monitoring exam schedules and enrolling in exams as there is no automatic enrolment based on your eligibility, as everyone’s situation and preparedness is different.  

If you have any questions about your exam candidacy, please contact examinations@racgp.org.au. 

If you have concerns about your exam preparation, we encourage you to reach out early for guidance and support.

There may be situations where circumstances prevent you from sitting the exams. If this occurs, you can contact the Exams team at examinations@racgp.org.au to discuss your options for suspending your candidacy. However, if you are not enrolling in exams because you feel ‘unprepared’, a Medical Educator (ME) may meet with you to discuss your preparation and create a plan to help you progress. It’s important to actively engage in the program and take steps toward exam readiness. If progress is not being made, you risk being removed from the program. 

Yes, registrars can take leave but should refer to the Leave Policy for details on available leave entitlements.

If you take approved leave under the Leave Policy, you will not be eligible to sit Fellowship exams unless an exemption is granted. Please note that Category 2 leave counts towards your total training time cap, meaning it will reduce your available consolidation phase period and impact the time you must sit exams.

If your leave extends beyond a reasonable timeframe for your leave category, your enrolment in the program may be reviewed, and withdrawal from the FSP may be considered under the Withdrawal Policy.

When you’re in consolidation, you are expected to comply with the Medical Board of Australia’s registration standard: continuing professional development, which requires 50 CPD hours per year.

As part of being a member of the RACGP you have access to a range of modules on GP Learning to help you meet your consolidation requirements.

As you move into consolidation, it's important to be aware of the status and expiry date of your Medicare provider number. Medicare provider numbers granted under the FSP are time-limited and aligned with your training program's duration. They are not unrestricted and are subject to specific terms set by the RACGP.   

To ensure uninterrupted Medicare billing privileges, please take the following steps: 

1. Check Expiry Date: Review the expiry date of your current Medicare provider number. This information is typically provided in your initial approval letter or can be confirmed through Medicare. 
2. Apply for Extension or Renewal: The RACGP authorises Medicare provider number end dates up to six months beyond the education component of your FSP. We’re able to assist with extensions to your provider number for the consolidation component, providing you continue to meet training progression requirements, and the training site complies with the General Practice Fellowship Program Placement Guidelines.  

   It’s your responsibility to monitor when your Medicare provider number is due to expire. Neither Medicare nor the RACGP issue reminders.

   If you require an extension to your current provider number, or have any questions, please email ApprovedPlacement@racgp.org.au.  

   If your provider number is nearing its expiry date, promptly apply for an extension or renewal. It's advisable to submit your application well in advance. To request an extension, please complete the RACGP Fellowship Program provider number application form and submit it to ApprovedPlacement@racgp.org.au. 

3. Maintain Compliance: Ensure you continue to meet all program requirements, including working in an accredited training site and under appropriate supervision, as these conditions are essential for maintaining your provider number during this phase of the program. 

For further assistance or inquiries, please contact the RACGP at ApprovedPlacement@racgp.org.au.