Strengthening Australia’s GP workforce

The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is introducing key enhancements to GP training to secure the future of Australia’s general practice workforce. 

From next year, the Australian General Practice Training program (AGPT) and Fellowship Support Program (FSP) will see a number of improvements for enhancing training outcomes, including: 

• simplifying the AGPT application processes by removing referee requirements, and introducing a single online national entry assessment that can be sat remotely 

• cutting AGPT red tape, including removing the need to have an active permanent residence application at the time of applying to ensure a fairer selection process while maintaining long-term eligibility requirements 

• a new RACGP-led Northern Territory AGPT GP registrar financial incentive to address healthcare shortages in the Territory  

• strengthening FSP eligibility criteria by requiring applicants to have at least 12 months of general practice experience in Australia in the past four years.  

RACGP President, Dr Michael Wright, said the changes would simplify and support a high-quality training experience. 

“The RACGP is committed to delivering high-quality training programs that meet the evolving needs of our GPs and the communities we serve,” he said.  

“We train 90 per cent of Australia’s GPs, providing care everywhere from capital cities to rural, regional, and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The simplification of procedures will make it easier for applicants to enrol in GP training, and the updated eligibility criteria will better position trainees for success within the training program. 

“There’s no substitute for the high-quality care you get from a GP who knows you, and your history. We’re aligning our training processes, and simplifying procedures, so that our programs remain exactly where they belong – at the forefront of general practice education in Australia. These changes will help us build an even stronger and well-prepared GP workforce. We’re ensuring that in 2025 and beyond, Australia is equipped to meet the growing demand for GPs, particularly in rural and remote areas.” 

Dr Wright said the changes would help ensure the continuation of exceptional general practice care in all communities. 

“By supporting GPs to access more streamlined pathways, we can help them to focus on what matters most – providing high-quality care to their patients,” he said. 

The RACGP President said that the GP workforce was heading in the right direction. 

"I’m proud to lead a College full of hardworking, committed and talented GPs. We are building a stronger, more resilient general practice workforce to meet the evolving needs of communities across the nation,” he said. 

“Securing the future of our GP workforce is crucial. All Australians should have access to a GP regardless of their postcode or income. The good news is that interest in GP training has markedly increased since the RACGP assumed administration of the training programs in 2023.   

“Recently, the College has not only filled all our Australian GP Training Program places for the first time in years, but exceeded expectations.  

“More than 1,500 GP registrars will commence training with us next year. This is 20 per cent higher than in 2024. We also saw a 17 per cent increase in rural placements from 492 in 2024 to 583 in 2025. That is a great result because addressing the maldistribution of GPs and ensuring a strong rural and remote general practice workforce is vital. 

“When you combine those strong figures with the enhancements to GP training I’m announcing today, it’s clear to see that we’re heading in the right direction. Every patient deserves access to high-quality general practice care and by boosting our GP workforce, we can make sure that no one misses out.” 

~ENDS