Program Structure For Registrars
The Australian General Practice Training Program takes three years full time to complete. Some registrars opt to complete a fourth year to pursue Extended Skills training and/or the Fellowship of Advanced Rural General Practice. With Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) this time may be reduced to only two years. Importantly, part time training is supported by North Coast GP Training (NCGPT).
NCGPT's training team and supervisors conduct a range of educational activities and regularly give feedback on progress to maximise learning opportunities as well as to establish strong relationships. NCGPT aims to conduct all teaching on a face to face basis, to do this, we maintain three educational nodes with medical educators based at each location (Ballina, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie).
NCGPT Educational Activities are structured at three levels:
- Teaching within the practice or hospital post,
- Locally delivered educational events throughout the region,
- Combined workshops* in Sydney.
*What is a Combined Workshop? NCGPT's combined workshops are run in conjunction with other GP training providers: GPSynergy and Valley to Coast. It is for all Basic and Advanced (GPT1 and GPT2) registrars and are run twice a year (once per term). They are three day workshops and cover a variety of topics as well as providing an excellent opportunity to network with fellow registrars from other regions.
Registrar's requirements
Registrars are required to satisfactorily complete 12 approved training units (normally requiring three years of training) before being eligible to sit for the Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) examination. Registrars may also train towards the FACRRM which is a four year course. Each training unit is equivalent to three months full-time training.
Typical registrar progression
| 1st year | Hospital term (12 months)
NB Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Retrospective Credit (RC) may apply for the Hospital Year |
| 2nd year | Basic GP term (6 months)
Advanced GP term (6 months) |
| 3rd year | Special Skills term (6months) and Subsequent GP experience (6 months) or
Subsequent GP experience (12 months) Fellowship Royal Australian College of General Practitioners exam (FRACGP) |
| Optional year (can be taken any time during training) | Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice 2 Advanced Rural Skills Posts (6 months each) |
GP Procedural Training Program
The NSW GP Procedural Training Program is also available which gives registrar’s access to a number of diverse, well supported hospital positions in the disciplines of Emergency, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Anaesthetics and Mental health.