Disputes and complaints
Dispute of a decision
Throughout your training, the RACGP will make decisions about your training program. These decisions are governed by the Dispute, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy. The policy ensures decisions are made with due process, comply with RACGP policies, and are made considering the available information.
If you’re unhappy with the outcome of a decision you should work with your program team to find an agreed outcome. You may also like to speak with your registrar liaison officer. Generally, issues are able to be resolved in this informal mediation process.
However, you may decide you need to raise a formal dispute if you’re unable to reach an agreed outcome with your program team. They will apply to the regional team to dispute the decision.
Important things to note if you wish to raise a dispute:
- Disputes are managed under the Dispute, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy. You should review the policy before applying to dispute a decision.
- The regional team will only consider your dispute if you have attempted informal mediation with your program team and been unable to reach an agreed outcome.
- A dispute can only be raised about decisions the RACGP has made in relation to your training program. If you have a dispute with an employer that isn’t related to your general practice training or if your dispute is in relation to a decision made by another organisation, we can’t deal with these under RACGP’s policy.
- You have 10 business days after we notify you of the original decision to raise a dispute.
Reconsideration of a decision
From time to time the RACGP makes decisions about matters other than your training program. For example, this could include decisions relating to:
- your entry into a training program
- rejection of change in circumstance request, for example, for a change of location due to extenuating and unforeseen circumstances
- exam eligibility
- your exam results.
If you’re unhappy with the outcome of a decision that isn’t related to your training program, you may apply for a reconsideration of the decision. Reconsiderations are handled by the RACGP national team.
Important things to note if you wish to apply for a reconsideration:
- Reconsiderations are managed under the Dispute, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy. You should review the policy before applying for reconsideration of a decision.
- The national team will only consider an application for reconsideration of a decision that isn’t related to your training program. If you want to dispute a decision relating to your training program, refer to Dispute of a decision.
- You have 10 business days after we notify you of the original decision to apply for a reconsideration, or two business days if it is related to entry to a training program.
Reconsideration applications attract a fee as they’re not related to your training program. You will need to pay this fee before the decision can be reconsidered.
Appeal of a decision
You can appeal the outcome of a dispute or reconsideration.
Important things to note if you wish to apply for a reconsideration:
- Appeals are managed under the Dispute, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy. You should review the policy before applying to appeal the decision.
- You have 20 business days after we notify you of the outcome of your dispute or reconsideration to make an appeal.
- If you are appealing the outcome of a reconsideration, you will be required to pay a fee. You will need to pay this fee before the reconsideration decision can be appealed.
Complaints
You can raise a complaint about a matter that isn’t related to a decision made by the RACGP. For more information, including how to lodge a complaint, please refer to the Complaints Policy.