Practice Experience Program – Standard Stream Withdrawal

1.1 The purpose of this policy is to describe the circumstances under which a participant may withdraw or be withdrawn from the Practice Experience Program – Standard Stream (PEP Standard).

1.2 The PEP Standard has been developed to provide non-vocationally registered doctors with a route to Fellowship grounded in individualised learning and workplace-based assessment.

2.1 This policy applies to all participants in the PEP Standard.

2.2 This policy is to be read in conjunction with the Practice Experience Program Code of Conduct, Practice Experience Program – Standard Stream Participation Guide, Practice Experience Program – Standard Stream Progression Policy and the Practice Experience Program Standard Stream - Leave and Extensions Policy.

2.3 This policy replaces the previous Practice Experience Program – Standard Stream Withdrawal Policy and will come into effect as of Tuesday 4 January 2022

3.1 Refunds

1. PEPEA participants who withdraw more than 48 hours before the scheduled assessment will be refunded their enrolment fee as outlined in the Assessment and Examination Candidate handbook.
2. Prior to the commencement of a PEP Standard term, participants who have accepted their program agreement, paid their term invoice and withdraw under clause 4, or are withdrawn under clause 5, will be refunded their co-payment for that term minus a $500 administrative fee.
   3. The RACGP acknowledges the unfortunate misalignment of the release of Fellowship exam results and the entrance dates of the PEP Standard. Therefore, participants who meet the terms of clause 3.1.ii and withdraw due to passing all three Fellowship exams (AKT, KFT and Clinical Exam) will be refunded their co-payment minus a $200 administrative fee.
3. Once a PEP Standard term has commenced, participants who withdraw under clause 4, or are withdrawn under clause 5, will not be refunded their co-payment for that term or any previous terms.

3.2 Re-Entry

1. Participants who withdraw or are withdrawn prior to the commencement date of the first term of the PEP Standard for any reason may reapply for future intakes. Acceptance of previously withdrawn participants into second or subsequent intakes of the PEP Standard is at the discretion of the RACGP.
2. Participants who withdraw or are withdrawn after the commencement date of the first term of the PEP Standard cannot re-apply or re-enter the program, even if the co-payment has been refunded, as no further funding subsidy from the Australian Government’s Non-Vocationally Registered Fellowship Support Program is available. Applications for re-entry to the program cannot be accepted.
3. Participants can apply to other RACGP-approved programs subject to the applicable selection, eligibility, or entry policies.

4.1 Participants must inform in writing both the RACGP and their Training Organisation of their intent to withdraw from the PEP Standard.

4.2 Voluntary withdrawal is subject to a cooling off period of 20 business days from the date the participant writes to the RACGP of their intent to withdraw. The cooling off period enables the participant to reconsider their decision to withdraw. After this cooling off period the participant will be formally withdrawn and advised by the RACGP in writing.

4.3 If a participant chooses to reconsider their decision to withdraw within the cooling off period, they must write to both the RACGP and their Training Organisation of their intent to remain enrolled in the PEP Standard.

4.4 Once formally withdrawn from the PEP Standard, the voluntary withdrawal cannot be appealed under the RACGP Reconsideration and Appeals Policy.

4.5 The RACGP will withdraw the participants provider number 20 business days after the cooling off period concludes.

5.1 The categories of involuntary withdrawal may include, but are not limited to:

1. Withdrawal based on medical registration
   1. Failure to maintain medical registration;
   2. The imposition of restrictions, conditions, suspension and/or undertakings which prevent the participant from working the requisite comprehensive Australian general practice during their time on the Program.
2. Withdrawal based on Professional misconduct
   1. If the participant is found by Ahpra to have behaved in a way that constitutes professional misconduct, they will be withdrawn.
3. Withdrawal based on education and training requirements
   1. The participant fails to comply with the professional and ethical, personal and educational requirements of the Practice Experience Program Code of Conduct, and the signed Program Agreement;
   2. The participant fails to maintain continuous progression in line with the Practice Experience Program Progression Policy and the Practice Experience Program – Standard Stream Satisfactory Completion Framework.
   3. The participant’s allocation of program time, leave, clinical break and extensions (where applicable) has been exhausted in line with the Practice Experience Program – Standard Stream Leave and Extensions Policy;
   4. The participant is unable to return to the program within permitted timeframes following loss of employment and/or provider number;
   5. The participant repeatedly fails to respond to correspondence from the Training Organisation, the RACGP or their ME, as required by the Program Agreement;
   6. The participant fails to pay their required co-payment for any term.

5.2 If a participant does not comply with the terms of participation, the RACGP will withdraw the participant (involuntarily withdrawal).

5.3 The RACGP will inform the participant and the Training Organisation of our intention to withdraw the participant from the PEP Standard. The participant has 10 business days from the date of being notified of the withdrawal to lodge a reconsideration application with the RACGP under the RACGP Reconsiderations and Appeals Policy. If an application is not received, the participant will be formally withdrawn from the PEP Standard and advised in writing.

5.4 Once formally withdrawn from the PEP Standard, a participant cannot appeal the withdrawal under the RACGP Reconsideration and Appeals Policy.

5.5 The participant’s issued provider number will be withdrawn 20 business days after the date of the formal withdrawal in accordance with the Practice Experience Program – Standard Stream Progression Policy and the Practice Experience Program – Standard Stream Satisfactory Completion Framework Guidance Document.

9.1 Medical Board of Australia Guidelines for Mandatory Notifications

9.2 RACGP Assessment and Examinations Special Arrangements Policy

9.3 RACGP Reconsiderations and Appeals Policy

9.4 Practice Experience Program Code of Conduct

9.5 Practice Experience Program – Standard Stream Progression Policy

9.6 Practice Experience Program – Standard Stream Leave and Extensions

9.7 Practice Experience Program – Extenuating and Unforeseen Circumstances Guidance Document