Withdrawal and re-entry
There may be circumstances where you need to withdraw from the program, or where we determine you need to be withdrawn from the program. In either situation, we'll offer case management support throughout the process.
There are two types of withdrawal, voluntary and involuntary.
Voluntary withdrawal
You may decide to voluntarily withdraw from the training program. We strongly encourage you to tell your program team before starting any formal withdrawal process, so that we can discuss alternative options and support you in your pursuit of Fellowship.
If you believe that voluntary withdrawal is the best option given your circumstances, you must inform the program team in writing of your intention to withdraw from the program.
If you withdraw from the Rural Generalist Fellowship, you can remain on the FSP. Voluntary withdrawals are not subject to the Dispute, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy because the decision to withdraw is yours alone.
Cooling off period
We recognise that withdrawing from the program is a significant decision to make and it’s possible you may change your mind.
If you withdraw after the commencement of training, your decision is subject to a 20-business day cooling-off period. You’ll need to advise the program team in writing by the end of the cooling-off period if you wish to cancel your voluntary withdrawal. After the cooling-off period, the withdrawal will be processed.
This cooling-off period doesn’t apply to a voluntary withdrawal before the commencement of training. That means, if you withdraw before the training program begins and then change your mind, you’ll need to re-apply to join the FSP in the following intake.
You can waive the cooling-off period if you wish to reapply for entry.
Involuntary withdrawal
In some circumstances, we may decide that you should be withdrawn from the training program. If we intend to withdraw you, we’ll advise you in writing before you’re withdrawn.
We may withdraw you for the following reasons, as per the Withdrawal Policy:
- Clinical competence – You have not met and maintained an appropriate level of clinical competence at each milestone of training, as assessed by the progress review committee.
- Capacity – You are unable to continue your training program because:
- you’re unable to maintain appropriate Ahpra general registration throughout the program
- an addenda is added to your medical registration which restricts your ability to continue in the program.
- Compliance – You need to comply with the education and training requirements of the training program. If you don’t comply, you may be withdrawn from the program. For example:
- if you don’t comply with and complete the requirements of an approved remediation term
- if you don’t respond to correspondence from RACGP staff members about your program enrolment
- if you can’t meet your program time requirements
- if you can't meet the required standards to enable to you to be admitted to Fellowship and obtain registration as a specialist GP
- if you defer commencement of training for more than 52 calendar weeks
- if you don’t maintain financial membership of the RACGP throughout training
- if you don’t pay your program fees.
A decision to withdraw you from the program can be disputed as per the Dispute, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy. You must lodge a dispute within 20 business days from the date of withdrawal or the date receiving the notification of withdrawal. If no dispute is raised, we'll proceed with the withdrawal process.
Re-entry
If you’re involuntarily withdrawn from the training program, we may set conditions about re-applying to the FSP. These conditions will be outlined to you as part of the withdrawal process.
If we determine you can re-apply to the program, you may need to satisfactorily complete remedial activities relating to the reason for your withdrawal.
There may also be some circumstances where you can’t reapply to the FSP, for example, if the reason for withdrawal can’t be resolved through remedial activities.
After withdrawal
After withdrawal, you’ll be invited to participate in an exit activity. We’ll give you information about career counselling, wellbeing support and other support specific to your needs.
We’ll notify Services Australia of your withdrawal. Services Australia will provide 14 days notice of the intention to withdraw your name from the Register of Approved Placements. Once the notice period has passed, you’ll be removed from the register and your Medicare provider number will be cancelled.