2026.2 Placements – applications open 20 April

From this date, registrars can begin applying to practices and attending interviews. Practices cannot make offers before 28 April. 

For a full overview of key dates, refer to the Placement timeline 2026.2, and to support your applications, refer to the Placement process guide. 

Please keep an eye on your emails for any updates and next steps. If you have questions, contact your training coordinator. 

Key dates 

• 10 April – Final training capacity and registrar group allocation confirmed 

• 20 April – Applications open. Registrars can begin applying and interviews can begin. Practices cannot make offers before 28 April 

• 28 April – Practices can begin making offers 

• 1 June – MPN deadline for 2026.2 

A list of practices participating in the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP) is available in the 'Documents' section of the TMS and via the BBPIP participating practices list. 

2026.2 Incentivised and remote supervision placements

RACGP's Placement Incentives provide additional funding to registrars training in areas of workforce need. You'll benefit from the breadth of clinical experience available in areas with unique healthcare needs and receive funding to help with relocation and living costs.  

GPT2+ registrars can also apply for remote supervision placements, demonstrating flexibility, curiosity, and a sense of adventure to prospective future employers. 

Reminder: submit your 2026.1 incentive claims via the TMS 

Eligible registrars in a 2026.1 incentivised placement can now claim incentives via the training management system (TMS). 
 
The RACGP's Incentivised placement guidelines outline what you're able to claim – further information can be found in the Flexible Funds Policy. 
 
Make sure you enter or update your bank details in the TMS under ‘My Details’ before submitting a claim.  Please reach out to your training coordinator if you have any questions. 

ARST and Incentivised Placement payment changes

From 2026.2, automatic payments will replace claims‑based reimbursement processes for: 

• registrars undertaking an Additional Rural Skills Training (ARST)  

• registrars undertaking a placement in an incentivised location. 

Eligible registrars will: 

• receive payments automatically at set intervals 

• no longer need to keep receipts or submit claims 

• have more predictable payments to support financial planning. 

Registrars are encouraged to seek independent taxation advice regarding the potential impact of these payments on their individual tax circumstances. 

Guidance, including the Flexible Funds Policy, is being updated. Please check the Placement Incentive and the ARST Schedule 4 for updates.

Applications open soon – AGPT Academic Post Program

Applications for the 2027 Academic Post Program open from 27 April until 6 July 2026. 

If you're considering an Academic Post, now is the time to refine your research interests and connect with potential university supervisors. 

The Academic Post is a 12-month, part-time opportunity to build research and teaching skills while continuing your clinical training. You'll work with a university department of general practice to develop your project and gain experience that will support your career long term. 

Don't have a research idea? We'll connect you with a supervisor and university to help you develop one. 

Pre-application webinar – 23 April, 7.00 pm (AEST) 
Join us to learn about the program, the application process, and what makes a strong submission. 

Whether you're already developing a proposal or just beginning to explore the program, this webinar will help you prepare a competitive application. 

GPT1 Salary incentive reminder

If you're currently undertaking a GPT1 training term, you may be eligible to receive up to $30,000 through the Salary Incentive Program. 

Payments are made monthly in arrears on a pro rata basis. 

To get paid, complete the Salary Incentive declaration form recently sent to you by your training coordinator. We can't process your payment until this form has been submitted. 

Incentive payments available from 2026.1

Three government incentive payments are available from 2026.1 to support your transition from the hospital sector to GP training. 

GPT1 salary incentive: If you’re undertaking your first six-month core general practice term, you may receive $5000 (FTE) per month.  

In addition to the GPT1 salary incentive, you may be able to access the following payments during training: 

Study leave incentive: Access up to five days (FTE) per training year for exam preparation and professional development, paid at NTCER base rates + 12% super + 10% loading. 

To be eligible, study leave must be arranged with your employer in advance as unpaid leave. Payments are made monthly in arrears and unused leave does not accrue. 

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

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

Your training coordinator can guide you in how to access these incentive payments. The eligibility and criteria are available via the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s GP Training Incentive Payments webpage and the AGPT Registrar Handbook. 

Upcoming webinar – the psychology of exam preparation

Renowned performance psychologists Dr Patsy Tremayne and Dr Kell Tremayne will guide you through preparing for the AKT, KFP and CCE. 

The weeks leading up to exams can be hectic and stressful, which is why the National Faculty for GPs in Training has teamed up with Avant to share practical strategies for managing your time and exam-day nerves. 

Note: this session focuses on the psychology of exam preparation, not the exam content itself. It won't be recorded, so we hope to see you there. 

Date: Tuesday 21 April  
Time: 7.00–8.30 pm (AEST)  

What do registrars say causes burnout?

With many registrars experiencing burnout, researchers turned to registrars themselves to explore the stressors they face. 

They spoke with registrars, supervisors, medical educators and training coordinators to understand the pressures confronting registrars. 

Their responses revealed that registrars face high demands – particularly in relation to workload. These pressures are compounded by a lack of autonomy, time, clinical resources and financial strain. Broader factors, such as the supportiveness of the practice, messages from medical culture, and professional isolation may also contribute. 

Dr Shaun Prentice, a psychologist and the project lead, says the results highlight the importance of a coordinated approach between registrars, practices, and training and regulatory systems to support registrars and GPs more broadly.  

By consolidating this information, the study provides a map of the key threats to registrar wellbeing. Through his role with the GP Training Research unit, Dr Prentice is supporting the use of these findings to inform the RACGP's registrar wellbeing initiatives, many of which are available in the new RACGP Wellbeing Hub. 

You can read the full study now for free in the Australian Journal of General Practice. 

Nominate your colleagues for an RACGP Award

Nominations for the 2026 RACGP Awards are now open – an opportunity to celebrate outstanding work in GP training. 

Deborah Docking won the Dr Jeremy Bunker Award for Outstanding Achievement in General Practice Training in 2025. 

A practice manager at Pioneer and one of South Australia's inaugural PMLOs, Deborah says winning was a surprise. 'I didn't know I had been nominated, so I was completely speechless when told I had won… It was a humbling experience.' 

She hopes the recognition shines a light on practice managers everywhere: 'I see this award as not only recognising my endeavours but also the wider practice manager community and the important role they play.' 

To those considering nominating a colleague, Deborah says: 'Do it.’ 

‘The reward is letting that colleague know their effort is seen and valued.' 

Nominations close 1 June 2026. 

Wellbeing Hub

Explore the RACGP Wellbeing Hub for tailored wellbeing resources designed to support GPs in training.

 

Contact us

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