NTCER 2026–28 update

The review of the National Terms and Conditions for the Employment of Registrars (NTCER) has been finalised, with agreement reached between General Practice Registrars Australia (GPRA) and General Practice Supervision Australia (GPSA). 

The updated NTCER (Version 2026–02) will apply from 2026.2. 

Key updates include: 

•  annual registrar remuneration increases aligned with MBS indexation 

• greater flexibility in administration time – GPT3 registrars may reduce admin time to 15 minutes per session, and GPT4 registrars may eliminate it at the registrar's discretion 

• unpaid cultural leave may be available to registrars by agreement with the practice (noting this may affect training time) 

• substituted public holidays are provided for under the National Employment Standards and can be discussed with registrars 

• orientation should occur within ordinary rostered hours 

• clearer guidance on workload expectations, referencing training provider patient-per-hour guidance. 

The updated NTCER and employment contract are available on the GPSA website. 

Incentive payments available from 2026.1

Three government incentive payments are available to support your registrars through training. Here’s what you need to know. 

Study leave incentive ahead of exams 

With exams coming up, registrars may have questions about study leave and the government incentives available from 2026.1. 

Study leave isn't a paid entitlement under the NTCER, but registrars can negotiate unpaid leave directly with their training site. We recognise up to six days per training year (pro rata) as training time – registrars only need to notify their training coordinator or medical educator if they’re planning to take more. 

From 2026.1, registrars who have arranged unpaid study leave may be able to access the study leave incentive through the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DoHDA). It covers up to five days (38 hours) per training year (pro rata), paid at NTCER base rates + 12% super + 10% loading – helping offset income lost while they prepare for exams or attend approved professional development. No more than two of those days can be used for structured activities outside work hours, such as conferences or workshops. Unused leave doesn't carry over between training years. 

To access the incentive, registrars will need to: 

1. negotiate unpaid study leave with their training site 

2. complete the leave application form and declaration in the Training Management System (TMS) document library 

3. submit the completed form to their training coordinator via email. 

The RACGP then processes approved payments via Services Australia, paid monthly in arrears. 

Two additional incentives are also available from 2026.1: 

Parental leave incentive: Primary carers can receive up to 20 weeks (FTE); secondary carers up to two weeks. Payments are based on NTCER base rates + 12% super + 10% loading. 

GPT1 salary incentive: Registrars undertaking their first six-month core general practice term may receive $5,000 (FTE) per month. 

All payments are pro-rated for part-time registrars and administered by the RACGP on behalf of Services Australia. Registrars are responsible for managing their own taxation and superannuation obligations. 

Eligibility criteria are available via the DoHDA's GP Training Incentive Payments webpage and the AGPT Registrar Handbook.  

Share your medical education insights at GP26

Presentation submissions for GP26 close 11.00 pm (AEST), Tuesday 9 June. 

The RACGP is encouraging supervisors and medical educators to share the teaching insights, practical experiences and lessons that help shape the next generation of GPs. 

Your knowledge and perspectives are highly valued, and this is an opportunity to contribute to conversations that strengthen general practice education across Australia. 

Visit the GP conference website to submit a presentation abstract.  

Could your registrar be an academic GP?

You probably know the ones – curious, thoughtful, always asking questions, interested in teaching, systems or improving patient care. 

Often, they just need a supervisor to tap them on the shoulder and say: 'You should apply.' 

Applications for the 2027 AGPT Academic Post Program close 6 July. 

The Academic Post Program offers registrars a funded, supported, 12-month part-time opportunity to build research and teaching skills alongside clinical training – no research experience required. 

If someone comes to mind, forward this to them and encourage them to apply. 

A quick check-in can make a big difference during exams

As exam time approaches, it's important to remember that registrars are often balancing many demands in their personal and professional lives. 

Taking a moment to check in and see how they're going can make a real difference during what can be a stressful period. 

Encourage your registrars to access the RACGP Wellbeing Hub, which includes a range of resources and support services. The GP Support Program and Drs4Drs are also valuable supports available during exam time.  

Exams are challenging, but your support can help registrars feel more connected throughout this demanding period. 

Aboriginal Health Workforce webinar series

The National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners, with RACGP, is hosting a three-part webinar series this May–June to support the effective integration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners into models of care. Learn how this workforce can support culturally safe, high-quality primary health care. 

The series is underway, but there’s still time to get involved. Catch up on the May session on demand and join the upcoming live webinars on 11 June and 25 June. 

Read the newsGP article | Register for the webinars

ADF Registrar Handbook – now available

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) Registrar Handbook has been updated to version 5 as part of its annual review. If you're supporting an ADF registrar, this is a practical reference for any ADF-specific queries that arise. 

Please note it has been renamed from the ADF Registrar Guide to the ADF Registrar Handbook. If you previously saved or searched for the guide, it's now available under the new title. 

Read the ADF Registrar Handbook or view the policy update notice for further detail.  

Evidence in practice

Telehealth and antibiotics – reassuring findings from GP training research 

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global threat, making safe antibiotic prescribing a priority in general practice. 

Concerns have been raised that greater diagnostic uncertainty in telehealth than in face-to-face consultations may lead to increased antibiotic prescribing. In response, the GP Training Research team examined prescribing patterns for common self-limiting respiratory infections using ReCEnT data (2020–2023).  

Conducted as part of Dr Michelle Gao’s AGPT Academic Post, the study compared registrars’ antibiotic prescribing in telehealth and face-to-face consultations. 

Registrars were significantly less likely to prescribe antibiotics via telehealth for sore throat, middle ear infection and upper respiratory tract infection, with no differences found for bronchitis or sinusitis.  

The findings provide reassurance that registrars can maintain antibiotic stewardship across consultation types. A summary of the study is available in the latest issue of AJGP, as part of the ‘ReCEnT: Findings from general practice training’ series. 

Wellbeing Hub

Explore the RACGP Wellbeing Hub for tailored wellbeing resources designed to support members.

 

Contact us

If you have any questions about the information in this newsletter, please contact your local training team.