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New support for GP registrars that have exhausted training time

AMA members are advised that a new approach to provide support to Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program registrars that have exhausted their training time before passing their Fellowship exams/assessments will come into effect on 1 October 2019.

The new approach agreed upon by the Department, the Colleges and each of the Regional Training Organisations (RTOs), will enable registrars who have reached the end of their training time the opportunity to seek further support to optimise their chances of attaining Fellowship. The nature of the support will be determined on a case by case basis.

Registrars will be able to work with their RTO to develop a plan (to be approved by the relevant College) outlining how they can best be supported to optimise their chances of attaining Fellowship. The available support options are:

  • A period of remediation on the AGPT Program followed by a period of extension of training time;
  • Access to further extensions of training time;
  • Transition from the AGPT Program to the RACGP Practice Experience Program (PEP) or the ACRRM Independent Pathway (IP) but remaining in their previous AGPT accredited training practice and with their previous supervisor (subject to the training practice being suitable for their ongoing training needs and agreement of the registrar, RTO, practice and supervisor); or
  • A combination of the above options (for example a period of remediation followed by an extension of training time or a period of remediation and then transition to the PEP/IP).

Several AGPT Program Policies (AGPT Overarching Document 2019, AGPT Training Obligations Policy 2019, AGPT Extension of Training Time Policy 2019, AGPT Withdrawal Policy 2019 and AGPT Appeals Policy) have been updated to support the new approach, and can be read here.

Frequently Asked Questions and RTO Operational Guidelines are available on the AGPT website here.

For more information, contact AGPTManagement@health.gov.au.

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