The Albanese Government’s record investment of more than $1 billion is continuing to train more GPs in communities across Australia.
In 2027, the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program will once again deliver over 2,000 GP training places, including for rural GP and Rural Generalist trainees, boosting health services in rural communities.
An additional 100 places are being made available in 2027, on top of 200 additional places allocated in 2026.
The new places form part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to grow Australia’s primary healthcare workforce by working with the GP colleges to boost GP training opportunities for early-career doctors to help meet increasing demand.
In 2027, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) will offer up to 374 Rural Generalist (RG) training places – which will be their highest intake yet. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) will offer up to 1694 GP and RG training places in 2027.
More than half of new trainees will be undertaking training in rural communities, reflecting the Albanese government’s commitment to strengthening Australia’s rural health workforce.
The AGPT program is a national, college-led training initiative, which provides 3 to 4 years of full-time or part-time equivalent training for registrars to gain specialist GP registration.
The additional GP training places for 2027 build on a record high of 2,100 junior doctors expected to commence their GP training in 2026. The allocation of 2026 AGPT training places between jurisdictions is outlined below:
| Jurisdiction | Approved places |
| ACT/NSW | 629 |
| NT | 63 |
| QLD | 447 |
| SA | 191 |
| TAS | 74 |
| VIC | 426 |
| WA | 294 |
| Total | 2124 |
Both GP colleges are reporting strong demand from junior doctors to take up the additional GP training places on offer. The Albanese Government is helping to drive this interest with new GP training incentive payments that make it more attractive for junior doctors to train as GPs. The new incentive payments commenced from Semester 1, 2026, and include $30,000 salary incentives, and payments to support eligible registrars to take study and parental leave.
For more information, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“The Albanese Government is delivering a record number of GP training places and we are continuing to grow the GP workforce across cities, suburbs and rural communities.
“General Practitioners and Rural Generalists are a vital part of our primary health workforce and our record investment in general practice is delivering training places in areas of strongest demand.
“Investing in a strong primary health workforce will help more people to access high-quality care where and when they need it most, especially those in rural and regional areas."