Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program

The AGPT Program is the Australian Government’s funded pathway to becoming a vocationally registered general practitioner (GP) in Australia. On the AGPT program, up to 1,500 eligible GP and rural generalist (GP) registrars commence in fully-funded training places per annum. Australia’s GP colleges – the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) – deliver this program for the Australian Government.

From 2026, 100 RG places currently delivered under the Rural Generalist Training Scheme (RGTS) will be delivered under the AGPT for a more streamlined and consistent approach to GP and RG training. ACRRM is working to ensure a smooth transition for registrars, supervisors and practices. By consolidating the RGTS and AGPT, all registrars will have the same access to a range of supports, including through the National Consistent Payments framework, and the ability to apply for a range of flexible funds to support relocation, priority workforce placements and pastoral care.

Strengthening Medicare: more bulk billing, more doctors and more nurses

On 23 February 2025, the Australian Government, announced the Strengthening Medicare: more bulk billing, more doctors and more nurses package, including measures to address the workforce challenges faced by the primary care sector and increase access to primary care. This package is providing targeted investment of $606.3 million over four years to increase capacity across the GP training pipeline.

Fully-funded GP and RG training places will increase by an additional 200 commencing places in 2026, 300 places in 2027 and 400 places from 2028. This is on top of the 1,500 commencing places offered through the AGPT program, the 100 commencing places currently offered through the RGTS and the 32 commencing places offered through the Remote Vocational Training Scheme. This will result in over 2,000 Commonwealth-funded GP places commencing each year from 2028. A majority of these new places will be allocated to the AGPT program.

Under this new package, from semester one 2026, $30,000 in salary incentive payments will also be available for new GP trainees on a Commonwealth-funded GP training program when they transition into community general practice. GP trainees will also have access to payments covering five days of study leave per year, and up to 20 weeks’ paid parental leave. All payments will be made on a pro rata basis.

The Australian GP colleges administer and deliver this program for us under the college-led training grant. You can choose which college to apply through. Learn more about the program and apply directly on their sites:

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

About the program

The AGPT Program trains doctors to become GPs. It provides full-time, on-the-job training for Australian and overseas-trained doctors who want to specialise in general practice.

The program offers 1,500 training places in cities, regional, rural and remote areas of Australia each year. This will increase in 2026, as part of the Strengthening Medicare: more bulk billing, more doctors and more nurses package and consolidation with the RGTS.

The National Consistent Payments (NCP) framework provides support payments to supervisors, practices and registrars on the AGPT program. All payments provided to AGPT participants under the NCP will be indexed from semester one 2026, incentivising greater training capacity, particularly in regional and rural areas.

Doctors in the AGPT Program train towards achieving a:

Once you have gained one of these fellowships, you can register with the Medical Board of Australia and work as a GP anywhere in Australia unless you are subject to 19AB requirements.

Who can apply

To be eligible, you must either:

be an Australian citizen or permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen
become an Australian citizen or permanent resident by the time you finish training if you got your qualification in Australia or New Zealand and are on an approved temporary residency visa.

You must also:

have recognised medical qualifications
have general medical registration before your training starts.

If you trained overseas, you must meet the requirements of the Australian Medical Council or Competent Authority pathway. See DoctorConnect for more on becoming a GP in Australia.

The college you apply to will assess whether you’re eligible.

See our program guidelines for full eligibility information.

Australian General Practice Training Program Guidelines

The Australian General Practice Training program guidelines (AGPT Guidelines) support the implementation and delivery of the AGPT program under a college-led training model, which commenced 1 February 2023. Note that updated AGPT Guidelines will be published prior to 1 January 2026.

Australian Defence Force (ADF) doctors

ADF doctors can apply for the AGPT Program and train in any region of Australia.

ADF registrars must do full-time civilian general practice training along with their military training.

Restrictions

Some overseas-trained doctors are subject to Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973. This might restrict where you can work for 10 years.

If this applies to you, you are only eligible for the rural pathway. If you want to take the general pathway you will need an exemption from us.

Learn more about Section 19AB and exemptions.

What AGPT training offers

Training to be a GP with the AGPT Program offers you many benefits. You can:

get a Medicare provider number and claim the highest value Medicare Benefits Schedule items during training
choose where you want to train and do practical training in a work environment
access various training opportunities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training, advanced skills training and academic posts
have your training fees covered by the Australian Government — you pay your application and assessment fees
access financial incentives for working in a regional, rural or remote area
train for fellowships with both colleges at the same time — in the same region, on the rural pathway.

Rural generalist training

The AGPT Program provides one way to follow the National Rural Generalist Pathway. This training pathway ensures that GPs and registrars have the right skills to practise in rural settings and can address the shifting needs of regional, rural and remote communities.

If you train through the ACRRM you become a rural generalist by attaining fellowship of the college (FACCRM).

If you train through the RACGP, you do additional training to attain Rural Generalist Fellowship (FRACGP-RG).

Support payments for AGPT Program participants

We provide support payments to eligible participants (supervisors, practices and registrars) involved in the AGPT Program under the National Consistent Payments (NCP) framework.

The NCP Framework outlines which payments are made to:

registrars
supervisors
practices involved in GP training.

These payments are made by Services Australia.

In addition to the framework, the GP colleges (ACRRM and RACGP) can provide flexible payments to:

registrars
supervisors
practices.

This will support training in areas of workforce need and attract medical doctors pursuing a GP career in rural and remote areas.

See the National Consistent Payments Framework for details.

Other GP training options

There are other pathways to become a GP in Australia, including the:

How to apply

Your college will answer your questions and provide you with more information on:

application and intake dates
how to register and apply
the application assessment process
outcomes and next steps.

Apply to the college of your choice: ACRRM or RACGP.

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