If you’re a full-time member of the ADF you’ll need to complete the same training program requirements as non-ADF registrars and adhere to the AGPT policies. This includes meeting training location obligations and achieving Fellowship in the applicable time frame. You can refer to the AGPT registrar training handbook for details about your obligations.
Service leave for ADF deployment is offered to enable you to complete your ADF requirements (refer to the leave section below).
If you require an exemption to any component of your training program requirements, please discuss with your medical educator or training coordinator.
Hospital training
Hospital training gives you valuable experience in a range of clinical disciplines relevant to general practice. It’s your responsibility to make placement arrangements for the hospital year and notify your program team of the hospital term(s) you plan to complete. You must complete the same hospital training requirements as non-ADF registrars.
As an ADF registrar, we strongly recommend that you focus on gaining paediatric and geriatric experience where possible, as these clinical experiences are often limited due to your ADF commitments.
Comprehensive information about the hospital training requirements for registrars is in the AGPT registrar training handbook.
Community general practice training
ADF registrars are encouraged by each service to spend the PGY3 or later year in a civilian setting, to gain the full breadth of general practice experience.
As part of your core vocational training requirements, you must complete three general practice training terms (GPT 1, 2 and 3). GPT1 and 2 (12 months in total) must be in civilian general practice in a placement that is not a special training environment (STE). This will ensure you gain experience to the full depth and breadth of general practice. As an ADF registrar, we strongly recommend that you focus on gaining paediatric and geriatric experience where possible, as these clinical experiences are often limited due to your ADF commitments.
During your general practice training terms, you may take a maximum of two weeks per 26-week term to attend accredited ADF medical courses, which will count towards your general practice training time. Refer to the appendix for a list of approved courses.
Working on ADF bases
It’s vital that all registrars gain experience to the full depth and breadth of general practice during their training. The RACGP recognises that ADF registrars often practise in STEs, such as ADF bases, which don’t meet accreditation standards for comprehensive general practice training. Therefore, you can only undertake GPT3 and your extended skills training in an STE. You can choose to do both or just one in an STE. Up to a total of 12 months training in an ADF environment may be counted towards your training time under the STE provisions.
Each STE must be approved by the relevant censor before you start the placement. To seek approval, please discuss with your training coordinator who can liaise with the National Lead Medical Educator – ADF as required.
Extended skills training
You’re required to complete one term (six months) of extended skills training, which gives you an opportunity to either extend your skills in community general practice or pursue an area of interest relevant to general practice. You should discuss any upcoming deployments as soon as possible with your training coordinator.
- You may undertake up to six months of extended skills training related to your military training, including military exercises within Australia, provided it’s approved by us in accordance with the RACGP Standards for general practice training.
- You can prospectively apply to do your extended skills training as an overseas deployment if you have completed GPT1 and 2 in Australia. You should discuss this with your training coordinator to ensure you plan to meet any other training obligations while training outside of Australia. The relevant censor will assess applications on a case-by-case basis.
Your application for an extended skills term during overseas deployment must include the following evidence:
- the nominated post can take registrars,
- there is appropriate onsite supervision,
- the post has opportunities for relevant learning, appropriate patient diversity, and a commitment to teaching and to review your teaching plan,
- the post is safe for you, determined by assessment of your living arrangements and health service infrastructure,
- an adequate teaching plan, and
- your supervisor’s current resume and onsite supervisor details and agreement, as required.
Recognising deployments in Australia as general practice training time
From time to time, ADF registrars are deployed and removed from their usual training site for a period of their general practice training term. When this occurs, only deployments or exercises within Australia that meet the requirements for accreditation as a training post (refer to the RACGP Standards for general practice training) will be recognised as general practice training time.
Prospective approval for deployments within Australia should be managed by your regional ADF team. You should discuss your plans with your training coordinator before the deployment begins. If urgent deployment has occurred your team can liaise with the National Lead Medical Educator - ADF. Please note, once a training term is completed retrospective approval can't be given.
As stated previously, you may use deployment as extended skills training; please refer to the section above, Extended skills training.