International medical graduates (IMGs) who wish to practice as a medical practitioner in Australia must have their overseas medical qualifications verified by relevant authorities before they will be permitted to practice.
How to become a General Practitioner
Becoming a General Practitioner (GP) in Australia requires many years of formal training.
1. Complete a relevant degree such as the Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine. Entry is based on Year 12 results, performance in the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) and an interview.
2. Alternatively, complete an undergraduate degree followed by an approved postgraduate qualification, such as the Doctor of Medicine. Entry is based on prior completion of a bachelor degree, performance in the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) and a score resulting from a semi-structured interview.
3. Complete a 1-year internship at a recognised hospital where you will rotate through different departments.
4. Apply for general registration with the Medical Board of Australia. You can then complete 1-2 more years of training as a Resident before entering a specialist training program.
5. Obtain GP fellowship. To become a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP), you must complete the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program. This is an additional 3 years of general practice training and includes an exam. You can choose to incorporate rural practice training into your program, which involves a further year of training.
Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program
The AGPT Program is a way to become a general practitioner (GP) in Australia. Registrars who complete the program can work unsupervised as a GP anywhere in the country. We fund 1,500 training places every year. Australia’s GP colleges deliver this program for us.
The Australian GP colleges administer and deliver this program for us under the college-led training grant. You can choose which college to apply through. Learn more about the program and apply directly on their sites:
- Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)
- Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
About the program
The AGPT Program trains doctors to become GPs. It provides full-time, on-the-job training for Australian and overseas-trained doctors who want to specialise in general practice.
The program offers 1,500 training places in cities, regional, rural and remote areas of Australia each year.
Doctors in the AGPT Program train towards achieving a:
- Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM)
- Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP)
Once you have gained one of these fellowships, you can register with the Medical Board of Australia and work as a GP anywhere in Australia.
Who can apply
To be eligible, you must either:
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen
- become an Australian citizen or permanent resident by the time you finish training if you got your qualification in Australia or New Zealand and are on an approved temporary residency visa.
You must also:
- have recognised medical qualifications
- have general medical registration before your training starts
If you trained overseas, you must meet the requirements of the Australian Medical Council or Competent Authority pathway. See DoctorConnect for more on becoming a GP in Australia.
The college you apply to will assess whether you’re eligible.
See our program guidelines for full eligibility information.
Australian General Practice Training Program Guidelines
The Australian General Practice Training program guidelines (AGPT Guidelines) support the implementation and delivery of the AGPT program under a college-led training model, which commenced 1 February 2023.
Australian Defence Force (ADF) doctors
ADF doctors can apply for the AGPT Program and train in any region of Australia.
ADF registrars must do full-time civilian general practice training along with their military training.
Restrictions
Some overseas-trained doctors are subject to Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973. This might restrict where you can work for 10 years.
If this applies to you, you are only eligible for the rural pathway. If you want to take the general pathway, you will need an exemption from us. Learn more about Section 19AB and exemptions.
What AGPT training offers
Training to be a GP with the AGPT Program offers you many benefits. You can:
- get a Medicare provider number and claim the highest value Medicare Benefits Schedule items during training
- choose where you want to train and do practical training in a work environment
- access various training opportunities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training, advanced skills training and academic posts
- have your training fees covered by the Australian Government — you pay your application and assessment fees · access financial incentives for working in a regional, rural or remote area
- train for fellowships with both colleges at the same time — in the same region, on the rural pathway.
Rural generalist training
The AGPT Program provides one way to follow the National Rural Generalist Pathway. This training pathway ensures that GPs and registrars have the right skills to practice in rural settings and can address the shifting needs of regional, rural and remote communities.
If you train through the ACRRM you become a rural generalist by attaining fellowship of the college (FACCRM).
If you train through the RACGP, you do additional training to attain Rural Generalist Fellowship (FRACGP-RG).
Support payments for AGPT Program participants
We provide support payments to eligible supervisors, practices and registrars involved in the AGPT Program under the National Consistent Payments (NCP) framework.
This framework restructures the payments previously provided by regional training organisations. It outlines which payments will be made to registrars, supervisors and practices involved in GP training.
In addition to the framework, the GP colleges can provide flexible payments. The colleges will manage and administer flexible payments to registrars, supervisors, and practices.
See the National Consistent Payments Framework resources for details.
Other GP training options
There are other pathways to become a GP in Australia, including the:
- Remote Vocational Training Scheme
- ACRRM Independent Pathway
- RACGP Practice Experience Program
- RACGP Fellowship Support Program
- https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/pre-fellowship-program https://www.racgp.org.au/education/professional-development/courses/pre-fellowship-program
How to apply
Your college will answer your questions and provide you with more information on:
- Application and intake dates
- How to register and apply
- The application assessment process
- Outcomes and next steps
Apply to the college of your choice: ACRRM or RACGP
Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program contact
Email us if you have any questions about the AGPT program. AGPTmanagement@health.gov.au
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) – AGPT contact
ACRRM provides Fellowship training, professional development and standards for rural and remote general practitioners. selection@acrrm.org.au
Free call: 1800 223 226
International: 07 3105 8200
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) – AGPT contact
The RACGP provides Fellowship training, professional development and standards for both urban and rural general practitioners. agpteligiblity@racgp.org.au
Free call: 1800 472 247
International: 03 8699 0300
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Source: © Commonwealth of Australia | Department of Health and Aged Care