Primary Care Training

There are multiple pathways into general practice in Australia and two medical colleges through which you can obtain your GP fellowship. The colleges are the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). ACRRM delivers training directly through the Independent Pathway and Rural Generalist Training Scheme. RACGP delivers training directly through the Practice Experience Program.

The Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) is a vocational training program for medical practitioners in remote and isolated communities throughout rural and remote Australia. The training provided meets the requirements for Fellowship of both ACRRM and RACGP.

While the Fellowships from both ACRRM and RACGP allow you to practise as a GP in Australia, each has varying details. When deciding which college to apply to, be sure to understand the differences. The ACRRM Fellowship is a four-year program with the rural context embedded in the curriculum from day one. The Fellowship is made up of three years Core Generalist Training (CGT) and a minimum of 12 months Advanced Specialised Training (AST). The RACGP Advanced Rural General Practice Fellowship is made up of the three-year vocational Fellowship of the RACGP and 12 months Advanced Rural Skills Training (ARST).

Please visit the ACRRM, RACGP and RVTS websites for further information about general practice training in Western Australia.

Please visit the ACRRM website for further information about ACRRM accredited training posts.

 

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Rural Generalist Pathway WA

Are you interested in joining the Rural Generalist Pathway? Find out how in our Rural Generalist Pathway WA section.

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.
Check out the information on our Rural Generalist Pathway WA tab to find out about the eligibility requirements and application processes. If you need more information, please contact us.
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.  

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
In December 2019, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), with assistance from the National Rural Health Commissioner, jointly submitted the first stage application to the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) for the recognition of Rural Generalist Medicine as a specialty practice field within General Practice. It is a key element of the implementation of a National Rural Generalist Pathway for a well supported and coordinated training and career pathway for a national Rural Generalist workforce. There is currently an extensive, trained Rural Generalist workforce but its sustainability and growth is hampered by the lack of formal status within the nation’s health systems. The attainment of recognition of the specialist field is seen as a necessary step towards a robust national Rural Generalist workforce.
Last Updated: 12/03/2024