The Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program is an Australian Government-funded initiative which provides training for registrars to move from general registration to specialist general practitioner registration.

The AGPT program is three to four years of full-time training offered in urban, regional and rural locations delivered through regional training providers (RTPs) across Australia.

The two vocational training endpoints of the AGPT program, recognised by Medicare Australia, are: Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) and Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM).

Queries? Contact the AGPT Selection team on 02 6263 6776 or selection@gpet.com.au

Applications for the 2013 Australian General Practice Training program

Applications for the 2013 AGPT program open at 10.00am AEST on Monday 16 April 2012 and close at 10.00am AEST on Friday 18 May 2012.

National Assessment Centres (formerly known as Selection Centres) will be held from Friday 15 June to Sunday 1 July 2012.

For a list of available training places, please view the 2013 AGPT Training Place Allocation.

The 2013 AGPT Applicant Guide provides important information for all doctors considering applying for the 2013 AGPT program.

Further information regarding the 2013 AGPT program and application and selection process can be found in the 2013 AGPT program FAQs.

The 2013 AGPT program application and selection process is made up of three stages: 

Selection into AGPT occurs when an applicant accepts (in writing) an offer of placement in the AGPT by an RTP.  

STAGE ONE: Application and eligibility check

Applicants submit an online application, including supporting documents, during the application period: 16 April-18 May 2012. GPET then confirms each applicant’s eligibility to determine if they can proceed to the next stage.

Please note, there have been some recent changes to the eligibility requirements for those who hold 457 visas. If you hold a 457 visa, please see below for further information regarding your eligibility.  

STAGE TWO: National assessment

Eligible applicants attend a National Assessment Centre between 15 June and 1 July 2012, where they will undertake a Situational Judgement Test (SJT) and Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs). Both assessments determine each applicant’s score. Applicants are informed of their score and given the opportunity to review their regional training provider (RTP) preferences.

Depending on an applicant’s score and RTP preferences it is established if the applicant can be shortlisted to an RTP for consideration and a possible placement offer.

For a list of 2013 AGPT National Assessment Centre dates and capacities please click HERE or visit our National Assessment Centre Information page.

Click HERE for SJT and MMI example questions.  

STAGE THREE: Regional training provider selection and placement offers

There are two ways GPET will shortlist an applicant to an RTP for consideration for selection by the RTPs.

Applicants will be shortlisted-

1. Based on an applicant's national assessment score, ranking and RTP preference, or
2. In very limited circumstances, at the request of an RTP made under the Matched Shortlist Process (MSP).

Applicants will generally be shortlisted in accordance with their national assessment score, ranking and RTP preference.

Shortlisted applicants will have their application reviewed by their matched RTP. The RTP may ask for additional information or an interview.

The RTP will then decide whether or not to offer the applicant a training place on the 2013 AGPT program. The applicant will then be formally notified as to whether or not they have been offered a training place. The applicant must then accept or decline the training place.

Selection into AGPT is completed once an applicant has accepted an offer.

Applications for 2013 AGPT are now open. Applications will close at 10:00 am AEST Friday 18 May 2012.   

Matched Shortlist Places (MSP)

MSP is a process that enables an RTP to request GPET to shortlist a particular applicant that they wish to interview and consider for selection into AGPT.

The process is initiated by an RTP and can not be initiated by an applicant.

The criteria that apply are as follows:

1. The applicant who the RTP wishes to interview, has undertaken a recognised part of their undergraduate or postgraduate medical training* in the RTP's training footprint.

In addition, one of the following criteria must apply:

1. The applicant is participating in a recognised workforce program (state or federal) in the RTP's training footprint, or
2. The applicant would satisfy a demonstrated workforce need within the RTP's training footprint.

*For example though a training arrangement with a regional Hospital/RCS/UDRH, or through a PGPPP managed by the provider.

This process only ensures that an applicant will be guaranteed a shortlist place for consideration by their RTP of preference, but it does not guarantee an offer of a training place with that RTP.

Shortlisting though the MSP process is limited and is to be trialled in this year's selection process.

The MSP process has limited application across the program and is only available to those applicants who are able to meet the above criteria. RTPs are not required to participate in this process.

457 Visa Holder Information

Applicants who hold general registration with 457 visa restrictions will be ineligible for training unless they can either:

1. Gain citizenship or permanent residency status before shortlisting, or
2. Provide GPET with a letter from their preferred RTP indicating that:

         * the RTP concerned can support the applicant's training (within the terms of the applicant's visa), and

         * the applicant should be shortlisted on their national assessment score, ranking and RTP preference

Applicants who are unable to meet these requirements will not be shortlisted.

Applicants under this process are not guaranteed to be shortlisted to the RTP nor will the process bind an RTP into selecting the applicant.

Applicants who are 457 visa holders and are participating in a state-based rural generalist program will need to provide a letter of support from their preferred regional training provider in the terms outlined above.

Information on 457 visas can be found on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/sbs/ 

Please note: This policy only applies to those applicants on 457 visas who obtained their primary medical qualification in Australia or New Zealand.

Program eligibility

To apply for the 2013 AGPT program you must be eligible in all of the following components:

• Citizenship
• Medical qualifications
• Medical registration
• Training program registration

Program Eligibility Guide - AGPT 2013 - View this guide to self-assess your eligibility for the 2013 AGPT program.

AGPT Applicants elect to train in either a rural or general pathway. These pathways determine the area where you will train, not the content of your training. Some overseas-trained and overseas-born doctors affected by section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the 10-year moratorium) may be required to join the rural pathway as they are ineligible for the general pathway.

Pathway Eligibility Guide - AGPT 2013 - If you are an overseas-trained doctor (OTD) or a foreign graduate of an accredited medical school (FGAMS) you can self-assess your pathway eligibility for the 2013 AGPT program by viewing this guide. 

For more information about applying for the AGPT program if you have conditions on your medical registration read these guidelines.

Important resources

• Key dates: a full list of key dates regarding the 2013 AGPT program application and selection process
• 2013 AGPT Applicant Guide: contains detailed information for doctors applying for the 2013 AGPT program
• 2013 AGPT FAQs: contains frequently asked questions regarding the 2013 AGPT program application and selection process
• 2013 AGPT Handbook: contains general information regarding the AGPT program, key organisations, training opportunities and an overview of the application and selection process  
• RTP contact details: contact details for each regional training provider (RTP)
• Other useful links

Incentives

Upon successful entry to the AGPT program you may be eligible for incentive payments under the General Practice Rural Incentives Program (GPRIP) or the HECS Reimbursement Scheme. To find out more about these incentives see Appendix 2 of the 2013 AGPT Applicant Guide or visit the links below.

GPRIP: http://www.doctorconnect.gov.au/internet/otd/publishing.nsf/Content/registrarComponentGuidelines

HECS Reimbursement Scheme: http://www.doctorconnect.gov.au/internet/otd/publishing.nsf/Content/HECS

Complaints and appeals

To view the procedure that should be followed should you have a complaint or wish to appeal an AGPT selection decision, download the Registrar Selection Complaints and Appeals Procedure.

Contact the AGPT Selection team

For further information or enquiries please contact the AGPT Selection team at:

E: selection@gpet.com.au

T: (02) 6263 6776

F: (02) 6103 9035