Rural generalist training on the Australian General Practice Training Program

 

Rural generalist training on the Australian General Practice Training Program

 

The RACGP > Faculties > RACGP Rural > Become a Rural Generalist with the RACGP > Rural generalist training on the AGPT Program
Last updated 10 September 2025

During your Rural Generalist training, you’ll be supported by a dedicated team committed to understanding which skills you want to pursue and locations you’re passionate about supporting.

Becoming a Rural Generalist on the Australian General Practice Training Program

Training is four years full-time equivalent, during which you’ll train towards acquiring Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP) and the Rural Generalist Fellowship (FRACGP-RG).

You’ll undertake your training in a combination of hospital and community general practice settings.

Training requirements

To become a fellow of the RACGP (FRACGP), you’ll need to complete:

  • 12 months of hospital training 
  • 18 months of community general practice training
  • 6 months of extended skills training  

To achieve Rural Generalist fellowship (FRACGP-RG), you’ll also need to undertake:

  • 12 months additional rural skills training (ARST)
  • 6 months of core emergency medicine training (CORE EMT), generally completed as your extended skills term
  • A minimum 12 months of your 18 months community general practice training in a rural MMM3-7 location.

Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience (RPLE) may be available for hospital-based training (up to a maximum 24 months).

With the RACGP, you can:

  • ✔ pursue the Rural Generalist Fellowship on either the rural or general pathway
  • ✔ train part-time
  • ✔ design your training to suit you
  • ✔ have choice around training locations
  • ✔ apply for region and pathway priority preferencing on entry into the program
  • ✔ opt out of Rural Generalist training anytime if your training plans change.

Supports and subsidies

During training, you’ll be supported by a dedicated training coordinator, medical educator, rural programs team and supervisors.

You can also access a range of financial subsidies such as:

  • RACGP registrar payments ranging from $1,800 to $9,250 every 6 months you’re training in community general practice in a rural MMM2-7 location
  • RACGP registrar reimbursements for expenses from $5000 to $45,000 for every six months spent in community general practice training in an RACGP identified priority area of workforce need
  • reimbursements of up to $6,000 to assist with the cost of education and training to meet additional rural skills training requirements
  • HELP debt reduction for doctors who work in an MMM3-5 location for the full length of their degree, or work in an MMM6-7 location for half of the length of their degree
  • Workforce Incentive Program payments for registrars who provide a minimum amount of eligible primary care services in MMM3 to 7 locations.
 

Find out more

How can you apply?

You can enrol in the Rural Generalist fellowship anytime during your GP journey:

  • on entry in your application onto the Australian General Practice Training Program
  • during your training as a GP registrar
  • after you have become a GP Fellow.

Fees:

There are no additional application fees for Australian General Practice Training Program applicants or GP registrars to apply for the Rural Generalist Fellowship.

There will however be a fee associated with the Additional Rural Skills Training (ARST) prior to the term commencement. This fee will vary according to your chosen discipline.

Apply now