End of Semester Survey opens 9 June

RACGP's new annual End of Semester Survey opens next week! 

Your feedback drives real change. Thanks to your recent insights, we're now focusing on three areas of improvement: upskilling local teams on the rural generalist pathway and its requirements, making better use of ReCEnT reports to support registrar learning, and connecting registrars to the wellbeing supports available to them during training. 

What should we focus our efforts on next? 

You'll be asked about your current training term, in-practice teaching, education programs, wellbeing, workplace-based assessments, and our systems and processes. It'll take 5–10 minutes to complete and is open until 5.00 pm, 30 June (AEST). Your responses will be kept confidential. 

Next month, you'll also get the opportunity to complete the National Registrar Survey (run externally to the College) – which asks a broader set of questions about your experiences as a registrar. 

Thank you for supporting continuous improvement in GP training. If you have any questions, contact evaluation@racgp.org.au.

Final call for multi-source feedback

Please submit your completed multi-source feedback (MSF) assessment before 19 June. If you’re experiencing difficulties completing the MSF, please contact your training coordinator before the due date.  

Completed a 2026.1 placement in an incentivised location?

Please submit your claims for reimbursement as soon as possible.   

Claims for 2026.1 will only be processed if submitted within four weeks of the end of semester. Claim forms can be accessed via the TMS.   

Please make sure your bank details are entered or updated in TMS under ‘My details’ before submitting a claim.   

If you have any questions, please contact your training coordinator.  

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 that affect you as a registrar include: 

• annual remuneration increases aligned with MBS indexation 

• greater flexibility in administration time for GPT3 and GPT4 registrars 

• improved transparency of your earnings through practice software or other mechanisms 

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

• substituted public holidays are provided for under the National Employment Standards 

• orientation should occur within your 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 GPRA website.  

Incentive payments available from 2026.1

Three government incentive payments are available to support your transition from the hospital sector to GP training. Here’s what you need to know. 

Study leave incentive ahead of exams 

With exams coming up, some of you 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 you can negotiate unpaid leave directly with your training site. We recognise up to six days per training year (pro rata) as training time – you only need to let your training coordinator or medical educator know if you're planning to take more. 

From 2026.1, if you've arranged unpaid study leave you 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 you prepare for exams or attend approved professional development. Note that 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 apply, you'll need to: 

1. negotiate unpaid study leave with your training site first 

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

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

The RACGP then processes approved payments via Services Australia, paid 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: If you're undertaking your first six-month core general practice term, you 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. You're responsible for managing your own taxation and superannuation obligations. 

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

Academic Post Program – 'transformative experience'

Before applying for the Academic Post Program, Dr Sam Gerami thought he might do a PhD 'one day'. Now, after completing the program, he's preparing a PhD grant application, publishing his first paper as lead author, and planning a career combining clinical general practice with research. 'It really gives you a lot of opportunities that you might not otherwise get access to so easily and so early in your career.' 

 
The Academic Post Program offers registrars a funded, 12-month part-time opportunity to build research and teaching skills alongside clinical training – with university support, mentoring, and no research experience required to apply. Applications close 6 July. 
 

Read Sam's story | Apply now | Watch the registrar showcase 

Support and wellbeing resources during exams

With exams just around the corner, it’s important to make time for your wellbeing alongside your study commitments.  

Visit our RACGP Wellbeing Hub for practical resources, self-care strategies and support services designed to help during exam time. The GP Support Program and Drs4Drs are also available for confidential support whenever needed.  

Remember, your wellbeing matters and support is here throughout this demanding period. 

Connect with your cultural educator

Leading into exams, we’ve prepared a fact sheet with all the ways you can connect with Joint Colleges Training Services (JCTS) and their incredible cultural mentorship for AGPT registrars. The team is here to support you, so feel free to reach out. 

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 now 

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 GPs in training.

 

Contact us

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