New Applicants
Applications for the 2011 intake of AGPT are now closed. Information for current applicants will be progessively available on the Current Applicants website.
If you are required to attend an AGPT Selection Centre (refer AGPT Selection Process 2011 for clarification) you will also need to complete an AGPT Selection Centre Booking Sheet and return it to GPET.
General applicant information
The following information refers to the 2011 intake, but will assist all doctors in becoming familiar with AGPT applications:
- the AGPT Applicant Guide 2011 which provides detailed information for doctors applying for the 2011 AGPT cohort;
- AGPT Selection Process 2011 which details a number of changes to the selection process from previous years; and
- Key Dates for Selection - AGPT 2011
The AGPT application process is a five step process
Step 1: Are you eligible to apply for AGPT?
Important eligibility information: Australian and New Zealand medical graduates
Temporary residents
Some Australian and New Zealand medical graduates who are not Australian permanent residents are eligible to apply for AGPT. However, this eligibility is subject to the applicant being able to work as an AGPT registrar. Generally, this will include changes of employer during your training. Some temporary resident visas, for example an employer sponsored visa, will not enable doctors to change employers.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid visa that will allow you to work as an AGPT registrar. A copy of the relevant visa should be included with your application for AGPT as well as details of any permanent resident visa application.
Permanent residents
The eligibility of some Australian or New Zealand medical graduates who are Australian permanent residents is subject to the applicant being able to work as an AGPT registrar. Some permanent resident visas are subject to restrictions, for example an employer sponsored visa may not enable doctors to change employers. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid visa that will allow you to work as an AGPT registrar. A copy of your visa must be included with your application for AGPT.
Important eligibility information: International medical graduates (IMGs)
International medical graduates (IMGs) who are Australian permanent residents are eligible to apply for AGPT provided other eligibility requirements are met. Some permanent resident visas are subject to restrictions, for example an employer sponsored visa may not enable doctors to change employers. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid visa that will allow you to work as an AGPT registrar. A copy of your visa must be included with your application for AGPT.
Important eligibility information: Medical Registration
Applications will only be accepted from those applicants who have or expect to receive general medical registration by the commencement of each training year. The 2011 training year commences between 17 January and 7 February, depending on location. For details of the relevant dates click here.
General Eligibility
Click here to see if you are eligible to apply for AGPT.
Requirements of the Health Insurance Act 1973 mean that not all doctors can complete their AGPT training in an urban area (known as the general pathway).
Click here to find which pathway will apply to you. It is also important to note that AGPT registrars who are not Australian permanent residents are generally restricted to working in rural pathway practices that are also within a district of workforce shortage.
Step 2: Gather your supporting documentation
Certified true copies of various official documents (for example residency/citizenship proof) must be included with your application in order to meet a number of legislative requirements. Without these documents your application can not be processed. Detailed information about supporting documentation is available in Section 3 (pages 21-29) of the AGPT Applicant Guide 2011
For information about applying for AGPT if you have conditions on your medical registration due to disciplinary or medical reasons please read Guidelines for the assessment of applicants with conditions attached to their medical registration.
Step 3: Understanding the 10-year moratorium as it applies to you
The Health Insurance Amendment (New Zealand Overseas Trained Doctors) Act 2010, effective from 1 April 2010, has excluded some doctors from the the return of service obligation (known as the 10-year moratorium) under Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973. Additionally, the return of service period for all doctors will now commence on the date of first medical registration in Australia. Information about these changes is available at http://www.doctorconnect.gov.au/internet/otd/publishing.nsf/Content/work-s19AB+factsheet
The Department of Health and Ageing has also advised that from 1 July 2010 there will be amendments to the time service requirements (currently 10 years) for doctors subject to Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973. Information has been made available by the Department of Health and Ageing at http://www.doctorconnect.gov.au/internet/otd/publishing.nsf/Content/program-otd
Doctors requiring detailed information about their individual circumstances in relation to an obligation under Section 19AB should contact the Department of Health and Ageing's Workforce Regulation Section by email at 19AB@health.gov.au .
To find out how to seek an exemption from the 10-year moratorium, refer to page 14 of the the AGPT Applicant Guide 2011
Step 4: Collect your referees' reports
All applicants applying for the 2011 AGPT program must have two (2) valid and complete referee reports to support their application.
A referee ideally should be a medical practitioner who has directly supervised the applicant for at least a period of 10 weeks within the past three years. Applicants need to select referees who are able to confidently make judgments about the applicant’s professional capabilities and suitability for general practice. Referees can include AGPT registrars, but should not include other doctors who are applying for AGPT.
If an applicant is unable to provide references from two referees who meet these criteria, approval must be sought from the Manager AGPT Selection before references can be considered valid and complete by GPET. If you think you may need to seek this approval GPET suggests that you do not wait until applications open to do so as this may delay the completion of your application. Approval requests should include the name and professional position of the proposed referee and full details of the referee’s relationship with the applicant. Approval requests should be emailed to selection@gpet.com.au .
Applicants should read this information prior to downloading the referee report package.
References MUST be submitted on the approved GPET proforma which is available here. When selecting referees, please ensure that they are willing and able to provide a report by no later than 10:00 am AEST Wednesday 30 June 2010.
Once completed the referees' reports should be returned to GPET by one of the following methods.
1. Fax to GPET on 02 6103 9035; or
2. Post to GPET using the following pre-paid address (no stamp required when posted in Australia)
Selection References Only
Reply Paid 2914
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Step 5: Apply for AGPT
Applications are now closed.
If you are required to attend an AGPT Selection Centre (refer AGPT Selection Process 2011 for clarification) you will also need to complete an AGPT Selection Centre Booking Sheet and return it to GPET.
Complaints and appeals procedure
Click here to view the procedures that should be followed should you have a complaint or wish to appeal an AGPT Selection decision.
The links below also provide information about AGPT
The AGPT Applicant Guide 2011 provides detailed information for doctors applying for the 2011 AGPT cohort Intake.
The AGPT Handbook 2011 provides general information regarding the AGPT program.
2010 Guide for GP Registrars (PDF 2MB)
PLEASE NOTE: That the Guide for GP Registrars is published specifically for new registrars commencing in the 2010 calendar year. However, it does provide valuable general information about the AGPT Program to assist future applicants.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
FAQs - Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice
You may also be eligible for incentive payments under the General Practice Rural Incentives Program (GPRIP) which commences on 1 July 2010. Information about GPRIP and the Outer Metropolitan Registrar Program (OMRP) is available at Apprendix 1 (pages 30-31) of the AGPT Applicant Guide 2011.
For further information or enquiries please contact the GPET Selection team by email at selection@gpet.com.au, by telephone on (02) 6263 6776, or by fax on (02) 6103 9035.