It has been another busy month for RACGP Rural, with plenty happening across advocacy, training and the faculty. 

At the end of July, I had the opportunity to attend and present at GP26: Conference for General Practice in Auckland, New Zealand. The conference brought together GPs, rural hospital doctors and the wider general practice community to consider the future of the profession.

What struck me most was the acknowledgement and inclusion of Māori culture, history and respect woven through every aspect of the conference and its presentations – it sets a standard we should aspire to. We are very similar in our challenges and opportunities, and I would encourage our members to consider attending one of New Zealand’s GP or rural health conferences as part of their CPD plan for next year. 

Our advocacy has also continued, with RACGP Rural Deputy Chair Dr Rod Omond representing the College at the important Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee’s public hearing into equitable access to Medicare. College advocacy of this kind rests on a great deal of research and effort behind the scenes to present clear, well-evidenced cases for change to these hearings, and Rod covered the issues facing rural practices and communities very well. 

Nominations to the Rural Faculty Council are now open. Members can nominate to the following positions this year: 

• Queensland 
• New South Wales 
• Victoria 
• Remote representative (living or working in MM 6–7) 
• Rural Generalist (RG) representative 

Please consider nominating – it is a wonderful opportunity to represent the membership and contribute to the strategic direction of the RACGP’s rural work. Nominations close 28 August. Further information is available on our website. 

This month we also farewell David Glasson, Head of RACGP Rural, as he finishes with the College after many years of service. David has made an enormous contribution to the RACGP and rural general practice. His experience, wisdom and commitment to rural GPs, RGs and communities have helped shape the faculty’s work over many years. I have greatly valued his advice, counsel and friendship during my time as Chair, and I know many members and colleagues across the College feel the same. On behalf of RACGP Rural, thank you David – we wish you and your family all the very best for the next chapter.

Associate Professor Michael Clements
Chair of RACGP Rural

Congratulations to our Rural Generalist New Fellows

Congratulations to our new Rural Generalist Fellows who completed FRACGP-RG in July. 
 

Registrations are now open for the RACGP Rural Annual Member Forum on Thursday 24 September at 7.00 pm (AEST).

Join Rural Chair A/Prof Michael Clements, Rural Council and fellow members as we reflect on the past year, discuss the issues shaping rural general practice, and look ahead to the faculty’s future priorities. 

This year’s forum will also provide an opportunity to acknowledge and farewell Michael as he concludes six years of dedicated leadership as Chair of RACGP Rural. Members are invited to join us in recognising his significant contribution to the faculty and rural general practice. 

Register now to secure your place and receive a complimentary gift. A limited number will be sent to registered members ahead of the event. 

We look forward to welcoming you for an evening of shared insights, professional connection and appreciation as we reflect on the year and mark this important leadership transition. 

Flexible Funds for general practice training

The latest version of the Flexible Funds Policy is now available on our website. 

Flexible Funds provide additional financial support for eligible registrars undertaking incentivised placements in RACGP priority workforce locations. From Semester 2026.2, eligible registrars will receive specified Flexible Funds payments to help offset relocation and placement-related costs. Additional eligibility information, payment schedules and claiming requirements are available in the updated policy and supporting resources. 

In addition, the Flexible Funds provide financial support for registrars undertaking Additional Rural Skills Training (ARST) placements. Registrars commencing an ARST placement at the beginning of Semester 2026.2 will receive specified Flexible Funds payments to help offset placement-related costs. 

Reminder: all outstanding 2026.1 incentivised general practice placement reimbursement claims must be submitted by 13 September. 

Invitation – 2028 ERG Priorities Survey

The RACGP is seeking input from members and stakeholders to determine the 2028 Education Research Grant (ERG) Priorities. 

The ERG Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and supports high-quality research that strengthens general practice education and training across Australia. Through an annual competitive grants process, the program funds research that contributes to improvements in registrar training, clinical supervision, assessment and evaluation, educational outcomes and training capacity. 

Members are invited to review the current ERG Priorities and identify any additional research areas that should be considered for inclusion in the 2028 funding round. The survey aims to gather stakeholder perspectives on the relevance and importance of potential research topics for Australian general practice education and training.  

We encourage you to share this opportunity with colleagues who may be interested. 

We would appreciate receiving your response by 5.00 pm (AEST) on Monday 7 September. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Education Research team at gpedresearch@racgp.org.au. 

Free National Guide Workshops continue across Australia

Following strong engagement in Cairns, Brisbane, Melbourne, Broome and Darwin, the National Guide Workshop series continues in September with an upcoming event in Shepperton, Victoria. Join Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leaders and experienced clinicians to explore practical applications of the National Guide, strengthen your delivery of culturally safe preventive care, and earn 6.5 valuable CPD hours. 

Register for the Shepparton workshop – Wednesday 30 September. 

Additional upcoming workshop locations include: SW Sydney NSW, Tasmania, Canberra ACT, Perth WA, and Alice Springs NT.  

Places are limited, so secure your spot. 

Have you been missing out on funding?

The Rural Procedural Grants Program provides financial support to keep your procedural and emergency medicine skills up to date – so you can continue delivering vital care to your community. You may be eligible for up to $32,000 per financial year, depending on the services you’re credentialed to provide. To be eligible to claim, you must first be registered on the program. Visit the RPGP website to check your eligibility for the program and learn more.  

Need assistance? Email the team at rural.procedural.grants@racgp.org.au. 

PhD top-up scholarships for GPs in training now open

Rural GPs bring vital perspectives to general practice research. The Australian General Practice Research Foundation offers additional funding of up to $30,000 per year. Applications open 24 August – 5 October. 

Calling all medical students, prevocational doctors and rural AGPT Program registrars

We’re giving away several registrations and travel subsidies to attend GP26, the RACGP’s flagship conference in Adelaide. 

Connect with GPs and RGs from across Australia, hear from expert speakers, and expand your skills. 

Applications close 11.59 pm (AEST), Monday 14 September. 

2026 Faculty elections

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Faculty elections. Faculty Councils play an important role in advising the RACGP Board and ensuring local and faculty-specific issues are reflected in College advocacy and decision-making. Nominate today and help shape the future of general practice, your profession and your community.  

Nominations close 28 August. 

New prescribing reform resources

As pharmacy prescribing models continue to expand across Australia, the RACGP remains focused on ensuring patient safety is at the centre of prescribing reforms. New resources released this month explore recent independent reports and reinforce the importance of evidence-based reforms that support high-quality, connected care for patients, including the College’s analysis of the Grattan Institute report and details on our submission to the Pharmacy Board of Australia. 

Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound – Orange, NSW

This full‑day introductory workshop is designed for GPs and registrars with little or no prior experience in point‑of‑care ultrasound (POCUS). It provides a practical introduction to the role of POCUS in the diagnostic process, focusing on core concepts, basic image acquisition, and ultrasound applications commonly used in general practice. You’ll be introduced to basic techniques using Butterfly iQ3 mobile ultrasound equipment provided by our sponsor Big Green.   

Participants will rotate through six ultrasound skills stations, including eFAST, deep venous thrombosis, heart and lung ultrasound, intravenous line placement and foreign object retrieval, musculoskeletal soft tissue and first trimester transabdominal obstetric ultrasound.  

CPD and grants  

This workshop is an RACGP CPD accredited activity, eligible for 10 CPD hours (5 hours EA and RP) and is approved for all categories of the Rural Procedural Grants Program.   

Date: Saturday 31 October  
Time: 8.30 am – 4.30 pm  
Location: Orange, NSW