Eligibility/Intake process and timing

Refer to the 'FSP key dates' dropdown on our homepage.

You will be asked to supply key contact and professional details. Some of these details will include evidence of your primary medical degree, current Australian Medical Registration (i.e., general, provisional with supervision level 2 and above via Competent Authority Pathway or via Standard Pathway with AMC Certificate or limited with supervision level 2 and above categories only), name, location, and accreditation status of current (or intended) practice.

There are three stages to the application process for the FSP:

1. Application and eligibility:
   1. Eligibility will include a review of medical qualifications and registration status, exam candidacy, location, and classification of practice. You can refer to the FSP Application Handbook for more information.
2. Confirmation of supervisor details
3. Training program offer and agreement:
   1. Eligible applicants will be provided with the opportunity to apply for a new Medicare Provider Number (if required). This Medicare Provider Number will allow participants to charge consultations at an A1 level. In conjunction with a Provider Number application, candidates will have to sign their Program Agreement and pay a fee for their first term in the program. A term is equivalent to six calendar months. As the FSP is self-funded, participants will have to pay program fees four weeks prior to the start of each term. Fee information is available on our website.

Yes, the RACGP is proposing that the FSP includes two intakes a year, one at the start of the year and the second mid-year.

You must submit a new application for every intake you apply for. You cannot continue with an incomplete application from a previous intake.

No, however it is important to note that your visa requirements will still need to be met, including the right to work and deliver general practice services in Australia.

Yes, you must hold registration under the general, provisional (supervision level 2 and above via Competent Authority Pathway or via Standard Pathway with AMC Certificate) or limited (supervision level 2 and above) categories only.

You can apply for the FSP if you have limited registration, however you cannot be working under Level 1 supervision.

• You must work in a practice which complies with the General Practice Fellowship Program Placement Guidelines.
• The nature of your daily work must be considered as comprehensive general practice as per the Comprehensive Australian General Practice Guidance Document.
• Except in extenuating and unforeseen circumstances, you must work in an MM 2-7 area. Specific advice on extenuating and unforeseen circumstances for the FSP will be released shortly, but for general information please refer to the Practice Experience Program (PEP) guidance.
• If you have a 19AB requirement to work in a Distribution Priority Area (DPA), you must still meet this requirement while participating in the FSP.

Applications to change training sites in the 3 months before and 3 months after the commencement of training will be accepted only when there is extenuating and unforeseen circumstances. Following this time, the RACGP will process requests for changes in all circumstances per the existing timelines. We recognise there are times where there is a need change practices however minimising changes prior to and shortly after commencement will ensure a smooth commencement to training, including ensuring you receive your Medicare provider number on time. This is detailed in the FSP Registrar Handbook.

Please contact fspadmin@racgp.org.au if you have further questions.

No, unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Yes. The FSP is self-funded and participants will have to pay program fees before the start of each term. A term is equivalent to six calendar months. See fee information.

An AMDS job isn't suitable for the education and training provided on the FSP. It is expected that all FSP registrars work in comprehensive general practice as outlined in the RACGP’s Comprehensive Australian General Practice Guidance Document. If your only place of work is in an Approved Medical Deputising Service, you will be ineligible to apply for the FSP. Extended hours practices may be considered.

If you're employed in an AMDS with an ongoing provider number and you have a job offer in comprehensive general practice meeting all the other requirements of the FSP, you can continue working at both practices. However, you won't be able to extend your AMDS provider number through FSP.

If you are currently enrolled in another general practice training program, you must provide evidence of resignation (and acceptance of same) from the current vocational training program if accepted into the FSP.

You can find the statutory declaration form at /download/Documents/Policies/Assessment/SRP-Statutory-declaration.pdf

1. Time in practice is calculated pro-rata against the definition of full-time general practice experience.
2. Part-time general practice must comprise:
   • a minimum of 14.5-hour working week, over a minimum of two days per week
   • a minimum of 10.5 hours in face-to-face, rostered, patient consultation time undertaking general practice activities.
3.  ​​Work periods of less than three consecutive hours, or of less than four calendar weeks in any one practice, will not be considered.
4. Out-of-Practice Education hours may be in addition to time in practice.

The RACGP aims to offer all eligible applicants a place.  However, if we need to prioritise places for an unusually large number of eligible applicants, we will make offers to candidates in the following order:

1. Vulnerable candidates including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
2. Applicants working in Aboriginal Medical Services
3. Rural applicants (Precedence based on MMM status, MM7 – MM3 descending) 
4. Applicants with approved Extenuating and Unforeseen Circumstances to work in MMM1
5. MMM2 applicants.