About GPET
General Practice Education and Training Limited (GPET) manages the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program on behalf of the Australian Government.
History of GPET
In January 1997 a Ministerial Review of general practice training was announced by the then Minister for Health and Family Services. The Review Group conducted a comprehensive consultation process, which confirmed that general practitioners and educational experts saw a need for change.
In June 2000, as a result of the review, the Minister announced the establishment of General Practice Education and Training Limited in 2001. GPET set up a regionalised system of general practice education and training, now delivered through 20 regional training providers (RTPs) across Australia, which promotes horizontal and vertical integration of general practice education and training.
Vocational Qualifications
The vocational endpoints of training are Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, either of which is required for vocational recognition under the Health Insurance Act 1973. This model is different to all other vocational training in Australia, where the medical specialist college is both the training delivery and standard-setting organisation.
GPET and the RTPs work closely with the colleges and other key stakeholders including universities, divisions of general practice, rural workforce agencies and GP student, registrar and supervisor organisations.
Objectives
GPET's national objectives include delivery of high quality education and vocational training; competent and confident GPs; sustainable community benefits through the achievement of GPET's aims regionally and nationally; and promotion of general practice as a career.