As we head into a new year, I’d like to welcome everyone back and wish you all the best for the months ahead. I hope you’ve had a chance to recharge over summer, even if it was a short break between clinics, on-call, and everything else that rural general practice throws at you.

Medicare and general practice have already been back in the headlines, with the Federal Government’s recent bulk billing blitz sparking plenty of debate. While improving affordability is important, the reality for many rural and remote communities is that it’s a challenge keeping practices viable while delivering complex, time-sensitive care with a limited workforce and infrastructure. We know that conversations about fees can be especially difficult, so we’ve developed additional resources to support members in this space, including an updated waiting room poster and patient-facing FAQs to inform patients about your billing practices.
 
RACGP Rural is also currently responding to the Senate parliamentary inquiry into rural, regional and remote Medicare access and funding; making sure real experiences and practical solutions are front and centre in that process.
 
There was some genuinely positive news recently, with the announcement of a historic $751.3 million, five-year Australian General Practice Training agreement. Importantly, this reinforces that the RACGP trains GPs across all settings, from major cities to regional, rural, and remote communities. Record numbers of doctors will commence rural pathways and Rural Generalist training in 2026, which is an encouraging sign for the future rural workforce.
 
Advocacy remains a strong focus this year. In March, RACGP Rural will be in Canberra for the national GPs at Parliament event, taking rural issues directly to parliamentarians and continuing the push for practical, workable reform.
 
Finally, with the new CPD year now underway, I encourage you to explore the Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training program that is offered through RACGP Rural. The program has recently been updated, offers plenty of CPD hours, and on completion allows you to claim relevant MBS items. There’s an $800 subsidy available for GPs on completion of the course. If you’ve been thinking about elevating your psychological medicine skills, this is a great place to start.

Associate Professor Michael Clements
Chair of RACGP Rural

RACGP Rural are excited to be hosting an online member meet-up celebrating International Women’s Day on Wednesday 4 March, and we would love for you to join us.
 
Come together to celebrate women in general practice and engage in meaningful discussion on driving change and achieving gender equality. We’re pleased to be joined by Dr Sonia Henry, GP and author, who has worked in some of the remotest parts of Australia and is passionate about GP welfare and First Nations health.
 
Register now to join us on Zoom on Wednesday 4 March at 8.00 pm AEDT.

Rural Generalist Fellowship accreditation: Next steps

We’ve reached an important step in Rural Generalist (RG) recognition. The RACGP submitted its application to the Australian Medical Council (AMC) in January to accredit the College’s Rural Generalist Fellowship training program. 
 
This follows the recognition of Rural Generalism as a subspecialty of general practice in September 2025.  
 
The comprehensive submission addresses the AMC’s accreditation standards and demonstrates the quality of our RG training. The College strengthened the program in 2022 with a dedicated emergency medicine curriculum and updated Additional Rural Skills Training. 
 
The AMC will now review the submission as part of its standard accreditation process, which provides independent assurance of the quality of medical education and training. 
 
We expect an update by mid-2026 and will share more as it becomes available. There are no changes to training, enrolment, or Fellowship arrangements at this time. 
 
For more information, visit our website or contact rural@racgp.org.au.

If you’re passionate about strengthening rural general practice and making sure decisions are informed by real, on-the-ground experience, join the GP Advocate Network today.
 
By joining the network, you will learn valuable advocacy skills and be supported in approaching your local politicians and elected officials to help ensure policymakers are informed on the realities of rural general practice.
 
The RACGP Advocate Network collaborate regularly with RACGP Rural, and we’re actively recruiting rural GPs to help advance the faculty’s priorities.
 
A strong rural GP Advocate voice is essential if we want meaningful change. The more rural GPs involved, the louder and more influential that voice becomes.
 
Help shape the future of general practice by speaking up on the issues that matter most in rural and remote communities.
 
Submit your EOI or reach out to gpadvocate@racgp.org.au to find out more.

Congratulations to our Rural Generalist New Fellows who completed FRACGP-RG in December and January.

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.

AGPT Rural and Rural Generalist training

Rural Health West ‘Live and Work Rural’ competition
 
Rural Health West and RACGP invite Western Australian students and existing health professionals to submit short videos showcasing their experiences and the benefits of working in rural health and rural communities. This is an opportunity to share your story, inspire others, and win great prizes.
 
First prize is $2000, second is $1000 and third is $500. The winner will be announced at the Rural Health West Conference on 16 March.
 
Submit your entries on the Rural Health West website.
 
NSW Rural Generalist survey – invitation to participate
Are you a Rural Generalist or did you train as one in NSW? NSW Health invites you to take part in a short online survey to understand the attractions and barriers to Rural Generalists working in NSW, and what strategies can help.
 
Who can take part?

• Rural Generalist trainees in NSW
• Those who participated in Rural Generalist training in NSW (whether you completed training or not)
• Rural Generalists currently working or who previously worked in NSW

The General Practitioner Procedural Training Support Program (GPPTSP) provides $40,000 for eligible Fellows to support completion of the RANZCOG Associate Training Program (Advanced Procedural) or ANZCA Rural Generalist Anaesthesia training program.
 
The GPPTSP aims to improve access to obstetric and anaesthetic services for women living in rural and remote communities by supporting Fellows to attain procedural skills in obstetrics or anaesthetics.
 
Eligibility
To be considered, applicants must be working principally in MM3–7 areas and have achieved Fellowship of the RACGP or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
 
How to apply
Obstetrics – applications are open on the RANZCOG website until 31 July.
Anaesthetics – visit the ACRRM website for more information and to apply.

National news

Help us spread the word – 2027 AGPT applications open soon
Australia needs a strong general practice workforce. With your support, we can encourage the next generation to choose GP or Rural Generalism. Applications for the 2027 AGPT Program open 3 March.

Learn more on our website and contact becomeagp@racgp.org.au or 1800 472 247 for assistance.

Seeking GPs for Fellow Support
The RACGP is expanding its Fellow Support service and seeking GPs to help colleagues navigate conditions on their medical registration. This flexible, opt-in work may include education support, mentorship, supervision, or audits. Members reimburse GPs directly. Express your interest online. Questions: fellowsupport@racgp.org.au.
 
EoIs now open for new accredited training sites; practices and supervisors in MM2–7 and selected MM1 regions
More doctors than ever are choosing the GP career pathway. Gain access to RACGP support, along with financial incentives for supervision and registrar training. Be part of training for the 2026.2 semester. Full details on our website.

Date: Friday 13 March  
Time: 8.30 am – 4.30 pm 
Venue: The Hub, Bentley Technology Park, Building 2, Brodie-Hall Drive, Bentley, WA
Cost: $995 for RACGP members, $695 for RACGP registrars 
 
About the course
This full-day workshop will increase your understanding of the applications of point-of-care ultrasound in the diagnostic process. Experts will guide you through its diverse applications in rural primary care. You’ll be introduced to basic techniques using advanced, high-end mobile ultrasound equipment provided by our sponsor Sonosite. 
 
The workshop is capped at 30 participants to allow increased hands-on experience.  
 
Participants will rotate through six ultrasound skills stations: 

• eFast 

• deep venous thrombosis 

• heart and lung ultrasound 

• intravenous line placement and foreign object retrieval 

• musculoskeletal soft tissue 

• first trimester transabdominal obstetric ultrasound 

Lessons from ACCHOs: strengthening primary care
 
ACCHOs are leaders in culturally safe, community-controlled models of care that strengthen health outcomes. Join experienced GPs to explore practical lessons that can be applied in general practice to enhance cultural safety and strengthen continuity of care.
 
Date: Thursday 19 March
Time: 7.00–8.00 pm AEDT
Venue: Online
Cost: Free
CPD: 1 hour EA and 1 hour RP (optional)