Eligibility

To enter and remain on the Rural Generalist Pathway WA, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Employed as a rural generalist in rural or remote Western Australia and living in rural or remote Western Australia.
  • Employed as a medical practitioner in rural or remote Western Australia with future intent to live and practise as a rural generalist in a rural or remote area.
  • Employed as a medical practitioner in metropolitan Western Australia with demonstrated rural experience and future intent to live and practise as a rural generalist in a rural or remote area.
  • Enrolled in the final or penultimate year of a medical degree in Western Australia with demonstrated rural experience and future intent to live and practise as a rural generalist in a rural or remote area.
  • Enrolled in a rural generalist training program in Western Australia.

 

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Applications to join the Rural Generalist Pathway are now open. Visit the Applications section of our website to find out more.

The Rural Generalist Pathway WA is a separate program which supplements the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) rural fellowship programs. You need to apply for ACRRM or RACGP training separately. Please visit the ACRRM, RACGP and RVTS websites for further information on general practice training in Western Australia.

All doctors accepted into ACRRM or RACGP rural training are strongly encouraged to join the Rural Generalist Pathway WA. The core function of the Coordination Unit is to help to facilitate the transition for rural generalist trainees through the various educational and training components for the first six years of postgraduate training. The Coordination Unit also partners with existing organisations to enhance the professional experience in regional, rural and remote locations for rural generalists. Once on the pathway, you will be assigned a mentor who is an experienced Rural Generalist, provided with individualised career navigation, connected to our network of stakeholders and given priority access to requisite courses. You may also be eligible for ongoing professional development opportunities.

Upon entry to the Western Australian health care system, International Medical Graduates (IMGs) must prove that they meet the requirements of the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) to hold medical registration. The assessment process assesses the knowledge and clinical skills of IMGs seeking to qualify for medical registration in Australia. More information can be found through the Medical Board of Australia website. The WA Country Health Service offers the Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) program as an alternative to the Australian Medical Council clinical exam.

IMGs may join the Rural Generalist Pathway WA if they meet the eligibility requirements. It is important to note that general registration is required before being eligible to join a college training program.  

The core function of the Coordination Unit is to help to facilitate the transition for rural generalist trainees through the various educational and training components for the first six years of postgraduate training. The Coordination Unit also partners with existing organisations to enhance the professional experience in regional, rural and remote locations for rural generalists. Once on the pathway, you will be assigned a mentor who is an experienced Rural Generalist, provided with individualised career navigation, connected to our network of stakeholders and given priority access to requisite courses. You may also be eligible for ongoing professional development opportunities. Find out more about the Coordination Unit.

This is an example of what your training journey could look like. However, each trainee's journey will be unique and tailored to their specific needs.

 

Example RGP

Demonstrated rural experience includes at least two of the following (or equivalent):

  • Enrolled in or completed the Department of Health GP Program with rural intent
  • Completed at least one optional rural rotation (hospital or primary care), such as the Rural Junior Doctor Training Innovation Fund, Community Residency Program or John Flynn Placement Program
  • Enrolled in or completed a Rural Clinical School of WA (or interstate equivalent) 12-month placement
  • Completed at least one rural focused research project or publication
  • Volunteered in a rural or remote area
  • Lived in a rural or remote area for more than two years.
Last Updated: 12/03/2024