Flexible Approach to Training in Expanded Settings (FATES)

The Flexible Approach to Training in Expanded Settings (FATES) funds new non-general practitioner specialist medical training approaches. FATES aims to broaden the skills of the specialist workforce, bring more specialists to regional areas, and ensure all Australians can access high-quality care.

About the program

FATES will fund grant proposals from specialist medical colleges that develop training approaches for non-general practitioner specialist medical trainees, particularly for activities that focus on:

  • increasing focus and support for rural training
  • rebalancing specialist supply and distribution through medical training
  • supporting the growth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specialist medical trainees and service delivery
  • supporting specialists to transition to work in rural and remote practice.

FATES complements the Specialist Training Program, and supports implementation of the National Medical Workforce Strategy.

Goals of the program

FATES will help to:

  • improve distribution and supply of specialist medical training in areas of undersupply, particularly in rural and remote communities
  • encourage more specialists to work in areas where there are shortages, particularly in rural and remote communities
  • attract and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specialist trainees
  • deliver quality, safe and affordable health care that is responsive to the health needs of communities.

Meeting these goals

FATES will fund activities that improve the quality or coverage of specialist training, such as:

  • developing training models that work across multiple locations to better reach rural and remote areas
  • developing training that helps to better distribute the workforce and match skills with the needs of communities
  • developing supervision models or coordination that increase the capacity of training systems, such as virtual or blended supervision from people with varied skill sets and experience
  • encouraging generalist specialist skill sets
  • promoting a positive culture of rural medical education
  • improving trainee or supervisor wellbeing, by reducing isolation and increasing connection with peers and mentors
  • upskilling supervisors to improve training quality
  • supporting specialists to work in rural or remote areas
  • attracting, recruiting and retaining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specialists. 

Who we work with

The 13 specialist medical colleges participating in the Specialist Training Program can apply for FATES funding. These are:

These organisations already have:

  • existing infrastructure and networks to support anticipated project activities
  • experience, knowledge and capability to deliver to the project objectives and outcomes.

Apply for funding

The first grant opportunity round is now open to the 13 specialist medical colleges on GrantConnect until 12 November 2021.  

To broaden the scope of proposed projects, we encourage applicants to partner with key stakeholders, such as:

  • hospitals and other medical facilities that offer training
  • other colleges
  • state and territory governments.

We expect projects to start in early 2022.

Last updated:

Help us improve health.gov.au

If you would like a response please use the enquiries form instead.