AGPT Application and Selection Process

Step 1: Check if you're eligible

As the AGPT program is government-funded, eligibility criteria applies. Read the eligibility criteria before applying to the program.

Don't worry if you are not eligible as there are other pathways into general practice in Australia.

Step 2: Decide on your pathway

The AGPT program has different training pathways: Rural Pathway and General Pathway.

The Rural Pathway encompasses a large percentage of the Australian countryside reaching from towns on the fringe of capital cities to regional coastal areas and remote outback locations. Doctors who train on the rural pathway must train in MM2–7 locations. The Rural Generalist (RG) pathway is new in 2021. Read more about RACGP's delivery of the RG program or ACRRM's delivery of the RG pathway.

Note: Both ACRRM and RACGP provide training on the Rural Pathway, learn more about the differences in the Rural Pathway structure between the Colleges.

The General Pathway is for doctors who choose to train primarily in inner and outer metropolitan locations or have the flexibility to train anywhere within the training region. Doctors on the general pathway can train in MM 1–7 locations.

Note: Only RACGP provides training on the General Pathway, learn more about the structure of the General Pathway.

To view an interactive map and search for MM locations use the Department of Health's Health Workforce Locator.

Step 3: Apply through your GP College

You apply to the AGPT Program through the College that you wish to achieve Fellowship with. If you apply in 2021, this means you will start GP training in 2022.

Please note, the first intake for the AGPT program closed on Tuesday 20 April 2021.

However, there may also be a second round of applications in August 2021, depending on places in the AGPT program still available. Become a GPRA member for free to receive the FGP eNewsletter and be alerted to the latest news.

 

 

Key dates:

• Applications usually open late March each year and close in April.
• Eligibility assessment outcome released; eligible candidates are given an interview invitation (for ACRRM applications) OR a Candidate Assessment and Applied Knowledge Test (CAAKT) invitation (for RACGP applications) in June.
• Interviews in July.
• Offers released in August.
• There may also be a second round of applications in August, depending on places in the AGPT program still available.
• Please note, these dates are the typical dates based on information from the previous years; dates are subject to change.

Access to the application form can be found at the Colleges website:

• ACRRM
  Provides training on the Rural Pathway only, however, those with the FACRRM are qualified to practice in rural, remote, regional and urban settings.
  (application fee is $700*).
• RACGP
  Provides training on the General and the Rural Pathways
  (application fee is $725*)
  *Payment of an application fee does not guarantee acceptance into the AGPT program.

Step 4: Choose your preferred training region

No matter which College you train with, under the AGPT program, a Regional Training Organisations (RTO) will deliver your training.

There are nine RTOs. They occupy one (or more) of the 11 training regions throughout Australia. View a map of the training regions, or learn more about RTOs.

• Applicants nominate their preferred training region/s; however they aren’t typically able to choose a specific location within that training region to undertake their training.
• Applicants are encouraged to choose up to four training region preferences.
• Applicants should choose training region/s they wish to train in, for the duration of their AGPT training.
• Applicants are only able to accept training place offers in one training region.

There are differences to the details in how each RTO delivers your training and what experiences they can offer you during your training.

For example, some RTOs will have frequent, smaller educational sessions throughout the year, while others may have one or two multi-day education conferences. Likewise, due to the location of their training region/s, some RTOs may be able to offer you a more comprehensive experience in specific a sub-specialty skill of interest (ie. remote medicine).

Applicants are encouraged to review their preferred RTO/s websites, or contact them directly to talk about how the RTO can cater to their training needs and preferences.

 

Step 5: Eligibility outcomes, interviews, and offers

The final step (and fifth) in the AGPT application process, once eligibility has been assessed and confirmed, is interviews and offers.

If you apply with the RACGP, you will also have to sit (and pass) the Candidate Assessment and Applied Knowledge Test (CAAKT) before being able to progress to the interview stage. The CAAKT focuses on knowledge, skills and attributes related to becoming a GP.

If you apply with the ACRRM, you will need to provide referees to support your application. Referees will be provided with a survey which they will return to the College. After, only shortlisted applicants will be invited to the interview stage.

Both medical colleges (ACRRM and RACGP) have different interview processes. The interview process is typically conducted by the College with your chosen Regional Training Organisation (RTO) involved. These interviews give the RTOs and College the chance to get to know you and to assess your interest and suitability to become a GP. If you apply on the rural pathway, you will also be assessed for your interest and suitability in becoming a rural GP or rural generalist.

 

Successful candidates will be offered a place in the AGPT program. If you do not receive an offer in the first round, you may be offered a position in any second or subsequent rounds of offers.

 

More information

See the Department of Health website for more information on the AGPT process.