General Practice

A General Practitioner (GP) is the first point of contact in matters of personal health. GPs take a patient-centred approach to the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care of persons across all ages, sexes and disease categories, and often provide care across a patient’s lifetime. GPs are responsible for the coordination of accessible, integrated patient care and are required to contribute to external clinical teams, as well as engage with medical specialists and other healthcare professionals according to patient need.

General practice is such a rewarding medical career and allows for so much choice and flexibility. I love the problem-solving aspect of general practice and being the first port of call when patients present with their concerns.

 

The trust patients place in you as their GP and the long-term relationships you develop with them and their families is truly unique for our specialty and it is a privilege to provide care in this way.

Dr Paula Conroy
General Practitioner

Clinical Practice

GPs predominately work in private practice, however many GPs working in regional, rural or remote areas are required to work within the practice population, which can include in-home visits, outreach clinics, and in hospital or community settings.

General Practice – Information

Number of specialists - QLD (2021)

Number of new fellows - QLD

Number of specialists - AUS (2021)

Number of new fellows - AUS

Average weekly hours
QLD

Average Age
QLD

% Aged 60+
QLD

42% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2032

Proportion Female/Male - QLD

Male
Female

Location - QLD

Regional
Major cities
Remote

Public/Private QLD

Private
Public

Number of trainees - QLD

Number of new trainees - QLD

Number of trainees - AUS

Number of new trainees - AUS

Proportion Female/Male trainees - QLD

Female
Male

2023 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year)

Eligible Applications Received
Applicants Selected

The data on this page compares the number of applicants that were selected to commence their first year of training in Queensland in 2023 to the total number of eligible applications*

The data was sourced from the relevant medical specialist college, or from selection committees coordinated by a Queensland Health pathway/network, or an individual facility.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This data reflects a point in time figure for the selection of applicants commencing the first year of an accredited training program in the 2023 clinical year.

* eligible applications are determined by selection committees according to the eligibility criteria and required documentation prescribed by the relevant medical specialist college.

The data on this page compares the number of applicants that were selected to commence their first year of training in Queensland in 2023 to the total number of eligible applications.

See more.

College

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) OR Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)

Length of Training

RACGP (AGPT) - 3 years full-time (general practice training), 4 years full-time (general practice and rural generalist training) ACRRM - minimum 4 years full-time (3 years core generalist training, minimum 1 year advanced specialised training)

Method of Allocation

College-selected trainees may be allocated to a training post by:

  • College
  • Queensland Health pathway/network (centrally coordinated)
  • Queensland Health facility (accredited for training)

Training and assessment summary

For detailed information in relation to training and assessment requirements, please contact RACGP or ACRRM.

Training program overview

General practice training is delivered via a number of different pathways leading to fellowship that is either awarded through the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).

General practice training leading to fellowship with RACGP (FRACGP) incorporates hospital training, general practice placements and extended skills training (either hospital or GP based). Trainees wishing to develop additional rural skills may undertake further training to gain Rural Generalist (RG) Fellowship.

Rural general practice training leading to fellowship with ACRRM (FACRRM) incorporates core generalist training in primary care, secondary care, emergency care, rural and remote practice, paediatrics, obstetrics and anaesthetics. Advanced specialised training in a range of disciplines, such as obstetrics and gynaecology, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, anaethesia and mental health, is available to ACRRM trainees as part of fellowship training.

Further information on a career in Rural Generalism can be found here.

The Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program is a college-led program facilitated through both RACGP and ACRRM. The AGPT provides two different pathways for prospective trainees to undertake their GP training program - either the General Pathway or Rural Pathway.

The General Pathway, provided by RACGP, provides education and experience in general practice in any region of Australia, including metropolitan locations.
The Rural Pathway provides training and experience in general practice medicine across regional, rural and remote locations enabling trainees to complete their fellowship through either or both RACGP and ACRRM.

Other pathways to a general practice qualification include:

  • Remote Vocational Training Scheme (ACRRM and RACGP)
  • Independent Pathway (ACRRM)
  • Specialist Pathway Program (RACGP)
  • General Practice Experience Pathway (RACGP)

    • Eligibility

    AGPT (ACRRM & RACGP):
    Applicants must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian permanent resident, possess a recognised primary medical qualification and hold current general registration.

    ACRRM Independent Pathway:
    Applicants may be an Australian citizen, permanent or temporary resident (skilled migration or business visa only); may hold general, provisional or limited registration (for area of need) with the Medical Board of Australia.

    Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS):
    Applicants may be an Australian citizen, permanent or temporary resident and may hold either general or limited registration with Medical Board of Australia.

    Rural Generalist Trainig Scheme (RGTS):
    Applicants may be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident or a temporary Australian resident who has gained their primary medical degree in Australia or New Zealand, possess a recognised primary medical qualification and hold general medical registration.

    Flexibility

    RACGP - Part-time training must comprise a 14.5-hour minimum working week, over a minimum of 2 days per week. Training is to be completed in 4 years for trainees seeking FRACGP, 5 years for trainees seeking FRACGP and FACRRM, and 6 years for trainees seeking RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship or dual fellowship (RACGP Fellowship and ACRRM Fellowship with an advanced specialised trianing in surgery). An extension to a trainee's program time can be discussed with a training coordinator and more information can be found on the RACGP website. ACRRM - Part-time training must average no less than 16 hours per week over 1 year, approval provided by training providers.

    Interrupted training

    Allowed up to a maximum of 2 years (ACRRM and RACGP). ACRRM can approve up to 12 months leave at a time. RACGP will approve leave in blocks of 26 weeks. Both colleges require a return-to-work plan to be developed for registrars returning from a break of clinical practice of 12 months or more.

    Click a location to learn more
    Regional Training Pathways

    Explore postgraduate training pathways in regional Queensland.

    Visit Northern Queensland Regional Training Hubs

    Visit The University of Queensland Regional Training Hubs