Research during training


Page last updated 30 November 2021

General Practice research underpins clinical practice, and is the foundation of high-quality, innovative, efficient and effective general practice required to deliver positive patient outcomes.

Getting involved in supervised research during your training will equip you with valuable skills you can use throughout your medical career, and introduce you to a stimulating intellectual environment and inspiring role models. Academic general practice offers a varied and rewarding career, combining research, teaching, and clinical work.

GPs who complete academic posts and PhD programs contribute to changes to practice as well as to the broader profession, for example in the development of health policy, guidelines and medical education.

The RACGP offers support for GPs in Training to undertake higher degree research during their clinical training and also offers 20 Academic Post placements annually.


The Academic Post Program is an AGPT training term in which GPs in Training have the opportunity to build their skills in the areas of research, teaching and critical thinking. An Academic Post is a 12-month (0.5FTE) academic training term undertaken concurrently with (0.5FTE) clinical work as part of registrar training on the AGPT Program.

The post aims to provide exposure to research and teaching in an academic environment and encourages registrars to incorporate academic work into their careers. Successful grantees will complete their academic term within a Department of General Practice, or equivalent, at a University whilst completing their clinical training concurrently.

It is a competitive program with 20 places available through RACGP annually. Applications open in March-April each year. Grants are awarded to successful applicants including funding for University Salary and professional development and research funding for each registrar.

Access the Academic Post Program webpage for more information.


The RACGP will support individual GPs in Training to complete a PhD alongside general practice training requirements. GPs have a lower rate of PhD study and completion than other specialist medical disciplines and the RACGP is committed to building general practice research capacity in order to address this.

Read the RACGP Policy Position Statement for Higher Degree Research during General Practice Training for more information, and contact gpedresearch@racgp.org.au to discuss your options.

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