Program overview
Qualifications
In order to be recognised as an Independent General Practitioner by Medicare Australia, Fellowship of one of the professional Colleges (RACGP or ACRRM) is required.
The primary goal for all Registrars within the Training Program is to gain one or both Fellowships. Other goals may include attainment of the Fellowship of Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP) and/or other clinical qualifications that allow for skilled, independent procedural work and/or special interest work.
Fellowship of Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP)
To qualify for the FRACGP, Registrars must sit a three-part written and clinical examination, and have completed all Training Program requirements. Completion of the FRACGP usually takes three years with up to one year Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) available. The chronology of training terms is flexible.
Registrars wishing to extend their rural General Practice training may complete an additional year of rural-based training to qualify for the FARGP.
View the AOGP RACGP Model for Training.
More information about this award is available at www.racgp.org.au/vocationaltraining
Fellowship of Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM)
Registrars considering a career in rural medicine may choose to pursue a FACRRM exclusively or concurrently with their FRACGP (and FARGP if desired). To qualify for the FACRRM, Registrars must sit a number of mandatory summative assessments, and have completed all Training Program requirements. The Training Program usually takes four years to complete with up to two years RPL available. The chronology of training terms is flexible.
View the AOGP ACCRM Model for Training.
More information about this award is available at www.acrrm.org.au/assessment
College Curricula
Training curricula prepared by the RACGP and ACRRM provide an overall context and framework for General Practice training. The structure and delivery of both in-Practice and out-of-Practice regionalised training at AOGP is directly informed by the curriculum documents from both Colleges.
Copies of the curricula are available directly from the RACGP and ACRRM websites, accessible by the links provided below;
RACGP www.racgp.org.au/curriculum
ACRRM www.acrrm.org.au/primary-curriculum
College Training Standards
Standards documents are developed by the RACGP and ACRRM, they are core documents for RTPs, their programs and training facilities throughout Australia.
They can be accessed using the following links
RACGP documents are available at www.racgp.org.au/vocationaltraining/standards
ACRRM documents are available at www.acrrm.org.au/regional-training-providers
AGPT Training Pathways
The AGPT program allows Registrars to elect to train in either a Rural or General Pathway (with exception for those bound by the 10 year moratorium restrictions). The pathways have been created with a view to facilitating the development of skilled General Practitioners in both rural and urban General Practice. For further information regarding the implications of this moratorium, please see the Doctor Connect website www.doctorconnect.gov.au
View the AOGP Information Booklet
General
The General pathway allows Registrars the opportunity to train in any area within the AOGP region consistent with the policies governing that pathway. Registrars undertaking the General Pathway will take a minimum of three years to complete training, and will do so primarily in urban General Practice. During this time Registrars will also be required to fulfill their AGPT requirements within the AOGP region.
Rural
The Rural Pathway is primarily designed for those Registrars who are committed to training and working in rural areas. It is also suitable for those who are interested in undertaking procedural work as an additional part of their General Practice.
Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act requires Overseas Trained Doctors—who have completed the AMC requirements—and Foreign Graduates of an Accredited Medical School to train in the Rural Pathway. This allows Registrars with this background to complete their AGPT whilst meeting their 10 year moratorium restrictions. For further information regarding the implications of this moratorium, please see the Doctor Connect website www.doctorconnect.gov.au