Attainment of Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) allows overseas trained doctors to practice unsupervised in Australia and access rebates under Medicare.
There are two main pathways overseas trained doctors can follow in order to be awarded fellowship.
One is the General Practice Experience (GPE) which recognises work experience in Australia and/or overseas. Those following this pathway are required to undertake the FRACGP assessment.
The other pathway available is called the Specialist Pathway Program (SSP) which is an agreed assessment and registration process developed by the RACGP in conjunction with the Australian Department of Health and Ageing, and the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA). The SSP is based on an assessment of the previous training and general practice experience of overseas trained doctors.
There are three main categories under the SSP. OTD’s who are eligible under Category 1 are awarded Fellowship Ad Eundem Gradum (FAEG) without having to undertake the fellowship exam. This typically applies to doctors from the UK, NZ, Canada, and Singapore.
Category 2 considers doctors to be at the level of Australian-trained advanced trainee in general practice and additional training or supervised practice and assessments may be required. This could apply, for example, to UK doctors who achieved MRCGP via iMAP.
Category 3 relates to overseas trained doctors who hold qualifications from countries including Spain, Germany, Austria and Finland who are deemed to require further training and/or supervised practice and assessment. A prerequisite for entry into category 3 is a pass in the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) and at least 4 years’ experience in general practice.
More information about the SSP and the applicable fees – including costs for the fellow of RACGP exam for categories 2 and 3 – can be obtained from the RACGP. The RACGP also provides a self-assessment tool to help overseas trained doctors determine which pathway to FRACGP is most appropriate for their individual situation, however it should be noted that the RACGP makes the final decision on eligibility and categorisation.
Overseas trained doctors with existing registration to work in Australia who do not meet the eligibility criteria for entry under the SSP may be able to complete the fellow of RACGP assessment requirements via the General Practice Experience pathway.
All specialist OTD’s wishing to be registered to work in Australia are required to have medical qualifications verified by applying directly to the Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC). More information about EPIC can be obtained from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.