The number of medical graduates in Australia continues to grow, while the proportion of those graduates choosing to enter pre-Fellowship training in general practice is in decline. The number of GP specialists is growing at a rate of 3.5% per year, compared to a yearly increase of 4.5% in the number of non-GP specialists.24
Medical graduates’ interest in entering the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program has been in decline in recent years; however, the 2021 application round saw the highest number of applicants since 2017 (Figure 44). The AGPT Program is the largest single training pathway to a career in general practice. There are several other pathways to Fellowship, including the RACGP General Practice Experience (GPE) pathway,†† the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Independent Pathway and the Remote Vocational Training Scheme.
Interest in joining the RACGP GPE pathway is growing, with the number of new enrolments in the Practice Experience Program (PEP) standard stream increasing by more than 42% since 2019. There were 344 new enrolments during the first three intakes in 2021.44