RACGP membership for PEP participants guide

Introduction

This guide provides information about the requirements for RACGP membership for participants in the Practice Experience Program (PEP) – Standard and Specialist streams.

You’ll need to become a financial member of the RACGP before your first day in an RACGP-Approved Program and maintain membership throughout your program, including while you’re sitting Fellowship exams (if applicable) and being admitted to Fellowship – this is an exam eligibility requirement as well as a requirement for Fellowship.

RACGP membership

We expect you to pay your ongoing membership renewal fee within three months of the due date. If we don’t receive payment, you may be suspended or withdrawn from your training program. The RACGP Constitution details your rights as an RACGP member.
It’s important to know that any training you do without a valid RACGP membership won’t count towards your education and training requirements.

You’ll need to be a Registrar Associate member; your program time won’t be recognised under other membership types.

Suspending your RACGP membership

You can put your membership on hold during periods of approved leave of three months or more, in line with the PEP – Standard Stream Leave and Extensions Policy and the PEP – Specialist Stream Leave Policy. Your access to all RACGP member benefits (including eligibility to sit exams) will also be suspended. However, you’ll still be able to access online continuing professional development modules.

To apply for a suspension of your membership you’ll need to send an email to membership@racgp.org.au with the following information in the subject line: Suspension of Membership – Dr [last name] – RACGP ID number.

You must submit your completed application within 10 business days of your leave starting if you want the suspension of membership to apply for the full period of leave. If your application is submitted later than this, your membership will be suspended from the date your application is received by us.

If we approve a suspension of membership, any membership fees you’ve already paid for the period of approved leave will be refunded after your leave.

Recognition of training completed during a lapse in membership

On occasions when extenuating and unforeseen circumstances can be demonstrated, we may consider recognising training activities undertaken while you were not a financial member.

If you believe you’re affected by extenuating and unforeseen circumstances, you may apply for recognition of training completed during a lapse in membership. Send us an email detailing the reasons for not holding membership while on the program.

Send your email to pepadmin@racgp.org.au with the following information in the subject line: Application for Recognition of RACGP-approved post experience (lapsed membership) – Dr [last name] – RACGP ID number.

Note that any decision is at the RACGP’s discretion.