The RACGP offers a number of programs supporting GPs in Training to achieve Fellowship including the Australian General Practice Training Program (AGPT), Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) and the Fellowship Support Program.
The interactive path below outlines the pathway to becoming a GP on the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program as an Australian Medical Graduate. You can click on the question marks to reveal information on each step of the journey.
If you’re an International Medical Graduate, your journey to becoming a GP in Australia may look a bit different, however you may still be able to join the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program. Find out more here.
AGPT Pathway to Becoming a GP
Pathway to Fellowship of the RACGP
Pathway to Rural Generalist Fellowship
Combined pathway
Graduate Undergrad degree
GraduateMBBS Degree (Undergrad)
or Doctor of Medicine (Postgrad)
Hospital
Apply to AGPTGeneral or Rural Pathway
Hospital
Clinic
AGPT Registrar (Rural Generalist Fellowship)
Additional rural skills
FRACGP
FRACGP, Rural Generalist Fellowship
In Practice
You'll need to study medicine at university first. There are some prerequisite subjects you need to study at high school (such as chemistry or maths) if you want to go straight into medicine after school, so consider these when choosing your senior year subjects.
Entry criteria differs for each university. Coming from high school, you'll normally need a strong ATAR, good results in the UCAT and an impressive performance in an interview.
With another degree under your belt, the application process will most likely involve your GPA, the GAMSAT and an interview with the university.
With another degree under your belt, the application process will most likely involve your GPA, the GAMSAT and an interview with the university.
Upon completion of medical school, you'll receive either a bachelor or masters degree. The Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) is the most common degree, but your university might offer a different degree such as the Doctor of Medicine.
After medical school, all junior doctors must complete a one year internship in a training hospital.
After your first year of rounds, you can stay in the hospital system as a resident and continue your rotations.
You can apply for specialist GP training through the AGPT Program any time from your intern year onwards. Applications usually open in March each year and you'll need to meet the eligibility criteria to be able to apply.
Find out more about the application process
Once you've completed the minimum hospital training term and requirements, you're ready to start your GP terms in a general practice.
Vocational training towards RACGP Fellowship (FRACGP) is three years full-time (or part-time equivalent). The first year consists of hospital training (12 months), followed by general practice placements (18 months) and extended skills (six months). You may be eligible to apply for recognition of prior learning and experience and reduce your training time if you have previous hospital experience.
A minimum 18 months of your training will be spent under supervision in a general practice. In addition, you’ll undertake 6 months in an extended skills term which can be in a hospital, community GP or community non-GP setting. Throughout your training you’ll be supported by the RACGP GP training team.
If you're wanting to further develop your capabilities as a GP, there is also the option to complete an extra year of additional rural skills training and obtain the RACGP's Rural Generalist Fellowship. This training provides the opportunity to learn about the specific health needs of rural and remote communities, and develop additional emergency medicine skills and procedural/non-procedural skills to meet those needs.
Requirements include:
- 12 months full time equivalent (FTE) of general practice terms in a rural (MMM3-7) setting.
- 12 months FTE of additional skills training in an accredited training post with the Rural Generalist Fellowship curriculums.
- Core-emergency medicine training including 6 months FTE of training in an accredited emergency medicine facility with appropriate supervision.
- Online skills self-assessment, reflection and learning activities.
- Optional Community project activity unless required by ARST curriculum (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health).
The RACGP exams comprises three elements: the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT), the Key Feature Problem (KFP), and the Clinical Competency Exam (CCE). These take place during your training.
Once you've completed your training and passed your exams, you can apply for Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP).
You’ll be able to apply for Fellowship of the RACGP and the Rural Generalist Fellowship once you've met your training requirements and passed the relevant exams for each fellowship pathway.
As a Fellow of the RACGP, you can work as a GP, unsupervised anywhere in Australia.