Record number of WA doctors become specialist GPs at RACGP Fellowship ceremony

Over the past 12 months, a record 222 WA doctors have become specialist general practitioners after being awarded Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP), with 141 of the GPs attending the ceremony in Perth. 

Held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on Whadjuk Noongar Country, the ceremony celebrated the next generation of specialist GPs joining Western Australia's healthcare workforce. 

An additional 20 doctors attained Fellowship of the RACGP Rural Generalist program, helping strengthen access to healthcare in rural and remote communities across the state. 

RACGP WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman congratulated the new Fellows and recognised the dedication required to achieve specialist GP qualification. 

“Becoming a Fellow of the RACGP is a tremendous achievement and reflects years of hard work, commitment and service to patients and communities,” she said. 

“General practice is one of the most rewarding careers in medicine. Specialist GPs care for people at every stage of life, build long-term relationships with patients, and play a vital role keeping people healthy and out of hospital. 

“We are delighted to welcome the new Fellows into our profession and congratulate each of them on reaching this important milestone. 

“This year's cohort is particularly significant, representing one of the largest Fellowship groups we have seen in recent years. Every new Fellow strengthens Australia's primary healthcare system and helps improve access to care for patients. 

“We are also proud to celebrate two new Fellows who identify as Aboriginal people, Dr Codie Butler and Dr Tamisha King. Increasing Aboriginal representation within the specialist GP workforce is vital to improving culturally safe healthcare and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.” 

The 2026 ceremony marks a significant increase in the number of new Fellows recognised in Western Australia. The 222 new Fellows awarded this year compares with 155 new Fellows in 2025. 

RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said specialist GPs are essential to meeting the growing healthcare needs of communities across Australia.   

“There is no substitute for the quality care you get from a GP who knows you.  Patients value having a trusted GP who knows them, understands their health history and can coordinate their care. 

“As demand for healthcare continues to grow, it's more important than ever that we support and grow the specialist GP workforce. These new Fellows are specialist GPs who will make a lasting difference in communities across Western Australia.”