New Applicants
The online application portal for entry into the 2011 AGPT cohort will open at 9:00 AEST on 14 May 2010 and remain open until 9:00 AEST on 16 June 2010. All supporting eligiblity documents will be required to be received by GPET by 10:00 AEST on 18 June 2010.
Applying for AGPT 2011
Detailed information about entry into the 2011 cohort will become progressively available on this website.
There are a number of eligibility requirements that may involve applicants obtaining additional documentation from third party sources, for example the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. This information may take time for some doctors to obtain so you may like to start collecting it now. See Step 2 below for details.
Whilst the Applicant Guide 2010 relates specifically to the 2010 AGPT cohort, much of it will be relevant for applicants applying for the 2011 AGPT cohort. Please note that information relating to New Zealand citizens and New Zealand permanent residents has changed since the Applicant Guide 2010 was published and all applicants should refer to Step 1 below.
The AGPT Handbook 2011 also provides an overivew of the training program and relevant information for applicants, including up-to-date information for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents.
The referee report proforma is available now. See Step 4 below for details.
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: New Zealand citizens/permanent residents
The Health Insurance Amendment (New Zealand Overseas Trained Doctors) Act 2010 will take effect from 1 April 2010. Detailed information will be provided on this website as it becomes available from the Department of Health and Ageing. However from 1 April 2010, this Act will remove some restrictions under Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 for doctors who are New Zealand citizens or Zealand permanent residents and gained their primary medical qualification in Australia or New Zealand.
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 here.
For information about applying for AGPT, if you have condition 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
As a result of the Health Insurance Amendment (New Zealand Overseas Trained Doctors) Act 2010, from 1 April 2010, the return service obligation (known as the 10-year moratorium) under Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 for all doctors will commence on the date of first medical registration in Australia. Additionally, the Department of Health and Ageing has 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 .
Click here to find out how to seek an exemption from the 10-year moratorium.
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 29
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Step 5: Apply for AGPT
The online application portal for entry into the 2011 AGPT cohort will open at 9:00 AEST on 14 May 2010 and remain open until 9:00 AEST on 16 June 2010.
PLEASE NOTE: That the Australian Government has made a number of decisions in the 2009-10 Federal Budget that will impact AGPT. Therefore all applicants should read the 2010 Training Year Changes FAQs Sept 2009, prior to submitting an application.
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 Handbook 2011 provides general information regarding the AGPT program and preparing for application.
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
If considering undertaking training in a rural location, please review the Rural Pathway Checklist. You may also be eligible for incentive payments under the Registrars' Rural Incentive Payments Scheme (RRIPS).
PLEASE NOTE: That the Australian Governement has made a number of decisions in the 2009-10 Federal Budget that will impact AGPT, including RRIPS. All applicants should read the 2010 Training Year Changes FAQs Sept 2009 in addition to the available information on RRIPS.
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.