Training Program Applicant Review Panel guide

Last updated 26 February 2024

Introduction

This guide applies to RACGP Training Program Applicants who:

have current or past restrictions, conditions, limitations, reprimands, supervision requirements, tribunal outcomes, suspensions, undertakings or other addenda (Addenda) on their medical registration (whether in Australia or overseas),
were or are the subject of an investigation by any regulatory body (including any overseas regulatory body), regardless of whether that investigation has been completed, in relation to their medical registration (whether in Australia or overseas),
were the subject of any other adverse regulatory outcome relevant to their medical registration (whether in Australia or overseas), or
have previously been withdrawn (involuntarily or voluntarily) from specialist training from any Specialist Medical College.

Addenda on registration

The Implications of restrictions, conditions and other addenda on medical registration guide details the impact of restrictions, conditions and/or other addenda on medical registration when participating in a Training Program which include:

limiting an Applicant’s ability to participate fully in the prospective Training Program,
limiting an Applicant’s capacity to work in a comprehensive general practice while in the training program,
limiting progression towards Fellowship or the future ability to meet fellowship requirements, or
placing patients and/or staff at risk.

Reprimands that, in the discretion of the panel, could be perceived to pose a reputational risk to the RACGP will be considered on a case-by-case basis with consideration of the Fellowship Policy.

The RACGP will decide during the eligibility stage whether Addenda on the Applicant’s medical registration can be reasonably accommodated. Where an Applicant has Addenda on their medical registration, the RACGP will consider if those Addenda impede an Applicant's ability to participate in the Training Program. Where it is determined by the Panel that the RACGP cannot reasonably accommodate the Applicant on the program due to their Addenda, they will be deemed ineligible and will not proceed to further stages of the selection or entry process.

Required medical registration for eligibility

AGPT

To be eligible for the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program, Applicants must hold or declare they expect to hold AHPRA general registration without restrictions, conditions, undertakings or suspensions that limit the scope of practice by the commencement of training.

FSP

To be eligible for the Fellowship Support Program (FSP), Applicants must hold one of the following AHPRA medical registration types without restrictions, conditions, undertakings or suspension that limit the scope of practice, by the closure of applications:

general registration,
limited registration with level 2, 3 or 4 AHPRA supervision, or
provisional registration with level 2, 3 or 4 AHPRA supervision.

Previous withdrawal from an RACGP Training Program

Where a Registrar has previously been accepted into a Training Program and subsequently withdrawn (voluntarily or involuntary) without completion, the Registrar’s eligibility to re-enter a Training Program will be determined on a case-by -case basis.

The decision about eligibility will take the following into consideration:

reasons for withdrawal,
advice given to the Applicant about re-entry at the time of withdrawal,
remaining exam candidacy,
the time since withdrawal, and
any other factors deemed relevant by the Training Program Applicant Review Panel.

The RACGP will decide whether the applicant can fully participate in and meet the obligations of the Training Program during the eligibility stage. Where the Panel decides the applicant has not demonstrated sufficiently that they will be able to participate fully and meet the obligations of the prospective Training Program, the applicant will be deemed ineligible and will not proceed to further stages of the selection or entry process.

Application requirements

To enable the RACGP to determine eligibility, an Applicant must:

submit a complete application to the RACGP, including:
- evidence of medical registration status, including all details of current or expected Addenda (public and non-public),
- a copy of their curriculum vitae (CV) with all relevant experience, including the past 10 years of clinical experience,
- a declaration that any Addenda, or expected Addenda, on their medical registration will be removed prior to the commencement of training (for AGPT), or at the close of applications (for FSP),
- evidence of any other investigation by any regulatory body (including any overseas regulatory body), regardless of whether that investigation has been completed, in relation to their medical registration (whether in Australia or overseas),
- a declaration if they have previously been withdrawn from a Training Program, including providing a copy of the withdrawal letter and where requested by the RACGP submission of evidence to show cause for re-entry.
provide consent to the release of all information to the RACGP from the Medical Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in relation to their medical registration, and
provide additional information (including but not limited to supervisor reports, referee details or Medical Board outcomes), as required by the RACGP, to enable assessment of the application.

Where required documentation, including requests for additional information or consent, are not provided to the RACGP the application will be determined as ineligible and will not proceed to the next stage of selection or offer.

Consent to release of information

Any information received by the RACGP as part of an application may be provided to internal business units for the purpose of carrying out functions associated with the provision of training on an as needs basis. Where an applicant is applying for a position in North Western Queensland training region the RACGP will provide the relevant information to the James Cook University as the regional training organisation responsible for training in that region.

Training Program Applicant Review Panel

Oversight of the Training Program Panel is undertaken by the Council of Censors.

The Training Program Applicant Review Panel is the decision-making authority for Training Program eligibility decisions where an applicant has or expects to have Addenda on their medical registration, or is reapplying for entry following withdrawal from specialist training from any Specialist Medical College. Decisions are made in line with the training program policies and the RACGP standards for general practice training.

The Panel has a responsibility to:

ensure a consistent and transparent approach to the assessment of applications to the RACGP where an applicant has addenda on their medical registration,
ensure a consistent and transparent approach to the assessment of applications to the RACGP where an applicant has been previously withdrawn (voluntarily or involuntarily) from a specialist medical training program.
determine the eligibility of applications as applicable,
consider the RACGP’s standing and reputation when admitting an applicant who may be perceived as inappropriate, and
share relevant information with the respective RACGP staff to inform the selection and offer process.

In undertaking its functions the Panel must:

ensure that its decisions, recommendations, and advice are consistent with RACGP standards and policies, AMC accreditation requirements, requirements of any other regulatory or government agencies and legal obligations in the wider community,
consider risk (reputational or otherwise) to the RACGP, and
decide each application on its merits, adhering to the rules of natural justice and procedural fairness.

Referral to the Training Program Applicant Review Panel

The applicant will be notified in writing if their application is being referred to the Training Program Applicant Review Panel at least one calendar week prior to the panel reviewing the application.

When assessing an application, the Panel will consider all relevant information available to the Panel. The Panel may inform itself of any matter and in any such manner as it deems fit. If an applicant cannot provide evidence from AHPRA that the Addenda on their medical registration will be removed prior to commencement of training, the applicant’s eligibility will be assessed on the Addenda existing at the time of application.

The Training Program Applicant Review Panel will assign one of three categories to an applicant.

Ineligible (Category 1)

An applicant will be determined to be ineligible (Category 1) if:

the Addenda on the applicant’s medical registration prevent them from undertaking all aspects of the Training Program,
they have not satisfactorily demonstrated they will be able to fully participate in and meet the Training Program requirements, or
they fail to provide all required information requested by the RACGP within the timelines specified at the time of the request.

This includes but is not limited to, if the:

Addenda state the applicant must have level 1 supervision.
Addenda restrict the applicant from seeing patients of all genders and ages.
Applicant is applying to the AGPT program and has level 2, 3 or 4 supervision and is unable to provide evidence this condition will be changed prior to the commencement of training to a level that will allow them to participate in training.
Applicant has not sufficiently demonstrated they have addressed the reasons for any prior withdrawal.

Conditional eligibility (Category 2)

Conditional eligibility may be granted where:

the Addenda on the applicant’s medical registration is scheduled to be reviewed by AHPRA prior to the commencement of training (e.g. at a scheduled board meeting). If the addenda is removed by AHPRA they may be eligible to undertake the Training Program.

If the applicant cannot demonstrate they are able to meet specified criteria by the date determined by the RACGP, they will be ineligible and unable to commence training.

Eligible (Category 3)

The Addenda on the applicant’s medical registration do not prevent them from being able to participate fully and meet the obligations of the Training Program. A Category 3 applicant will be determined to be eligible. This does not guarantee that they will be shortlisted or offered a training place. All offers are made at the discretion of the RACGP.

If further information is required to make a decision

Where the panel is unable to make a determination at the time it sits, the decision may be deferred so additional information can be sought.
This may occur where the Addenda on the applicant’s medical registration might prevent them from undertaking the Training Program, but the panel requires additional information from the applicant before a determination can be made.
The applicant’s eligibility will be determined once the requested information has been provided to the RACGP by the applicant. If the RACGP does not receive the requested information from the Applicant by the due date, the Panel will determine the eligibility based on the available information.

After an application is assessed

All offers are made at the discretion of the RACGP. If you have Addenda on your medical registration, the RACGP cannot guarantee that you will be employed by hospitals, training practices or other training sites, even if you are considered to be eligible for entry into a Training Program. In such cases, you may be withdrawn from training per the Withdrawal Policy.

The RACGP will provide the relevant training teams with the eligibility outcome, including the category of eligibility and other recommendations for the commencement of training. This may be used to inform the next stages of selection and offers for training.

An applicant who believes the decision regarding their eligibility was made incorrectly may apply for reconsideration in line with the Dispute, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy within 10 business days of the applicant being notified of their eligibility outcome.

Glossary

Addenda	Includes, but is not limited to restrictions, conditions, limitations, reprimands, supervision requirements, tribunal outcomes, suspensions, undertakings, and/or any other remarks or changes on an applicant’s medical registration. See AHPRA's website for more information.
AHPRA medical registration	Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), which allows the registrant to practise medicine. Refer to AHPRA’s website for more information.
Applicant	The medical practitioner applying for entry into the AGPT program or Fellowship Support Program.
Business Day	A day when both the RACGP national and relevant regional offices are operating.
Commencement of Training	The first day on which the Registrar begins their RACGP-Approved Program.
General registration	is defined by the Medical Board of Australia.
Level four supervision	is defined by the Medical Board of Australia
Level one supervision	is defined by the Medical Board of Australia
Level three supervision	is defined by the Medical Board of Australia
Level two supervision	is defined by the Medical Board of Australia
Limited registration	is defined by the Medical Board of Australia.
Provisional registration	is defined by the Medical Board of Australia.
RACGP Staff	Anyone who is an employee or contractor of the RACGP.
Training Program	Either the: Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program, or Fellowship Support Program (FSP).

Version	Date of effect	Amended by
1	16/02/2024	Education Policy and Guidance Lead
Amendment details	Development to replace the Guidelines for Eligibility Review Panel. Amendment to formatting and structure of the document. Removal of references to Regional Training Organisations. Updates to the glossary.