Message from your RLO

Hello registrars,   

My colleague, Dr Jamie Budenberg, and I are the Registrar Liaison Officers (RLOs) from South Australia, and we’re sharing this message on behalf of all the RLO teams across the country. 

To those who have just received good news regarding exams – congratulations! We hope you’re enjoying some well-deserved time away from study. For those studying again, or for the first time, remember you’re not alone and the end is in sight. 

We encourage you to connect with your local RLO, registrar networks and social media groups to stay connected with your peers. Keep an eye out for in-person events that RLO teams are busily working on scheduling in the coming months – these will be fantastic opportunities to connect with fellow registrars in your regions. 

Wishing you all the best in your training journey. 

Dr Jade Pisaniello
Registrar Liaison Officer, SA

Contact your RLO for support

Your RLO is here to advocate for you and help you navigate any challenges during your training journey. Whether you need assistance with training issues, workplace concerns, or simply want to connect with support services, your RLO provides a safe and confidential channel to address your needs. Don't hesitate to reach out – they're here to help ensure you have the support you need to succeed in your GP training. 

Contact your RLO: GP training contacts 

2026.1 placement update

October is an important month in the 2026.1 placement cycle. Registrar group allocation will be confirmed on Friday 10 October. Registrars can commence applying to practices from Monday 27 October, and training sites may choose to hold interviews; however, no offers can be made until Monday 3 November. 

This is the ideal time to prepare and ensure you are across the process before offers open. 

You can view all the key dates for the 2026.1 placement process here. We recommend you review resources on the TMS, including the Placement process handbook for registrars under the forms, documents and links tab.  

Incentivised and remote placements

Incentivised placements for 2026.1 are now open, with 307 accredited training sites, including some Aboriginal Medical Services. Incentivised placements provide extra financial support to help cover the costs of living and training in areas of workforce need. This is a unique opportunity to expand your skills and experience while supporting communities that need it most. Contact your training coordinator for details on funding and explore the full list of locations. 

GPT2+ registrars can also explore remote supervision placement opportunities and make a positive impact in underserved communities. Whether it's training on Norfolk Island in Queensland or the Ngaanyatjarra lands in Western Australia, you can make a difference in communities that need general practice support. Get in touch with your training coordinator to learn more.   

Medical Training Survey reminder

If you haven't completed this year's Medical Training Survey (MTS), there's still time. The MTS is your opportunity to provide confidential feedback on your training experience, including wellbeing, curriculum, workplace culture, and supervision. 

Your anonymous feedback is crucial – it helps identify and address issues in medical training that could impact both trainee wellbeing and patient safety. 

How to complete: Look for the survey link in the pop-up box when renewing your Ahpra registration or check your registration confirmation email for the link. 

Need more info? Visit the MTS website or email: MTS@ahpra.gov.au 

Managing exam stress

To all our registrars preparing for the CCE, we're wishing you the very best for your upcoming exam. You've put in the hard work – we're here to support you through the final stretch. 

Managing exam stress and nerves 
Join renowned performance psychologists Dr Patsy Tremayne and Dr Kell Tremayne for strategies on managing exam stress and anxiety. The National Faculty for GPs in Training has teamed up with Avant to share helpful tips for managing exam-day nerves and study stress. 

Please note: This session focuses on the psychology of preparing and studying for exams, not the content of the exams themselves. 

When: Wednesday 8 October, 8:00 - 9:30 pm (AEDT) 

This free webinar is open to all RACGP registrars. As this session will not be recorded, we hope to see you there.  

Submit your AKT/KFP questions

We're creating an AKT/KFP information video with Dr Sharnti Caulley (AKT National Assessment Advisor) and Dr Emilie Pitter (KFP National Assessment Advisor). They'll answer your questions about exam formats, study tips, and preparation. 

Have a question? Submit it by Sunday 5 October: 

1. Log in to gplearning 

2. Select the National exam information videos course 

3. Click on Do you have a question regarding the AKT/KFP exam? Submit here 

The video will be released on Wednesday 5 November. 

Additional resources to support your exam preparation 

Visit the AKT and KFP webpage for example questions, FAQs and updated handbooks, or access gplearning for comprehensive preparation tools including: 

• exam support online (ESO) – interactive AKT/KFP modules 

• exam support program (ESP) – modules on exam technique and study skills 

• self-assessment progress tests (SAPTs)  

• exam technique videos  

Reminder: The March 2026 SAPT will replace the current March 2023 version on Monday 9 March 2026. Please complete the March 2023 version before this date if you wish to access it. 

Rural Generalists formally recognised

After six years of strong advocacy, Rural Generalist Medicine will be formally recognised as a specialist medical field within general practice. 

This landmark decision, announced by the Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler MP, follows years of dedicated advocacy by the RACGP and ACRRM, in partnership with governments, health agencies, and other organisations.   

This is a positive step in recognising the vital work of Rural Generalists in rural and remote communities. It’s also a critical step toward securing better recognition and future remuneration that reflects the broad scope of Rural Generalist practice – including general practice, emergency care, and advanced skills in areas like anaesthesia, obstetrics and mental health. 

The RACGP is now working with the Australian Medical Council (AMC) to accredit the RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship (FRACGP-RG) as an approved Rural Generalist qualification. 

Have questions? Join our webinar on Tuesday, 21 October at 8.00 pm (AEDT), or contact us at rural@racgp.org.au 

Learn more: racgp.org.au/rural-generalist 

Evidence in practice

New research from the ReCEnT project reveals how registrars manage childhood asthma – and the findings could impact your training. 

Researchers conducted a longitudinal analysis of 2403 registrars' prescribing from 2010–22 and found that, despite updated guidelines pushing for earlier preventer use, overall prescribing rates stayed the same. However, there was a positive shift – registrars increasingly chose single-agent inhaled corticosteroids over combination inhalers, better aligning with current guidelines. 

This research came from Dr Nina Reid's academic registrar post and shows how your clinical consultations generate real insights. The findings highlight opportunities to strengthen asthma education in training programs. 

Read the full study in NPJ Primary Care Respiratory Medicine 

See also: Commentary on changes to the Australian Asthma Handbook

CoT Survey highlights

We’re pleased to share encouraging results from the latest Completion of Training (CoT) Survey, capturing the voices of new RACGP Fellows reflecting on their training journey. The findings affirm the strength and resilience of our training program, and the dedication of our educators, supervisors, and support teams. 

 Key highlights include: 

• Strong overall satisfaction: 81% of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with their AGPT training experience, maintaining a consistently high standard. 

• Improved confidence in wellbeing: 83% of registrars reported feeling confident in managing their future wellbeing – up from 77% last year. 

• Workplace-based assessments (WBA): 80% agreed WBAs helped them progress toward independent practice, showing they continue to be valued. 

• In-practice education: 80% satisfaction with formal teaching and strong appreciation for supportive supervisors, showing it remains a cornerstone. 

• Cultural awareness training: Satisfaction with cultural exposure increased from 57% to 63%, showing a positive shift. 

• Future-ready workforce: 82% of respondents felt well-prepared for independent practice, and more are planning to work full-time and take on roles such as Visiting Medical Officers. 

These results reflect the ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, supportive and culturally responsive training experiences. We thank all registrars, supervisors, training sites, and our AGPT delivery teams for their contributions to shaping the future of general practice in Australia. 

Contact us

For any queries about the information enclosed, please contact your local training team.