Program time
The AGPT Program is a three-year, full-time (or part-time equivalent) program. If you're doing rural generalist training, this increases to a four year full-time (or part-time equivalent) program. These are minimum program times, not including RPLE.
Full-time
If you’re training full time, from the time you enrol you’re expected to achieve Fellowship within:
- four years, if you’re training towards RACGP Fellowship
- five years, if you’re training towards dual fellowship (RACGP Fellowship and ACRRM Fellowship)
- six years, if:
- you’re training towards Rural Generalist Fellowship, or
- you’re seeking dual fellowship (RACGP Fellowship and ACRRM Fellowship with an advanced specialised training in surgery).
Full-time training is defined as a 38-hour working week, over a minimum of four days per week. A minimum of 27 hours must be in face-to-face, rostered, patient consultation time undertaking general practice activities. Work periods of less than three consecutive hours, or less than four calendar weeks in any one training site, won't be considered. Hours worked beyond this definition of full time won't be considered.
Part-time
If you’re training part time, you need to achieve Fellowship within a timeframe that reflects your part-time status and according to RACGP requirements. Time in practice is calculated as a proportion of full-time training.
Part-time training is defined as at least 14.5 hours over a minimum of two days per week in one training site, of which at least 10.5 hours is face-to-face, rostered, patient consultation time, undertaking general practice activities. Work periods of less than three consecutive hours, or of less than four calendar weeks in any one practice won't be considered.
If you’re working part time in two training sites, the minimum part-time hours must be met in each training site.
If you’re doing GPT1 or 2, we encourage you to undertake your education component on a full-time basis, regardless of your FTE in your training site. This way, you’ll develop a solid learning base that will allow you to work safely in general practice and get the most out of your future training terms.
What’s not included in the program time
Some types of leave are not included in the program time:
- Category 1 leave – leave entitled by law (eg sick leave, carer’s leave, etc)
- Category 3 leave – Australian Defence Force (ADF) service leave
- Category 4 leave – deferral of commencement of training.
For more information about leave, refer to the section on Categories of leave.
Extending your program time
If you need to extend your program time, and you expect your overall program time will exceed the times listed above, you’ll need to seek approval. Discuss this with your training coordinator and refer to the section on Extension of program time.