Column

---

Transition to college-led training: The state of play

---

As I’m sure you are aware, the RACGP has assumed responsibility for the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program.
 
The move to a profession-led AGPT model has been years in the making and we are currently negotiating the transition with the Federal Government, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), and other stakeholders.
 
The Federal Government last month announced a one-year extension of the Regional Training Organisations’ (RTOs) current contracts, until the start of semester one 2023, to provide more time for negotiations to continue.
 
Those discussions most recently involved an all-day workshop with the Department of Health on 4 November to further develop its proposed operational model for RACGP-led general practice training.
 
While no specific positions were agreed in this meeting, progress was made on a number of fronts.
 
Significant discussion was had across topics including:

• the definition of workforce needs assessments
• registrar placements
• the prospective GP pipeline through medical school and junior doctor placement
• supervisor and practice payments
• registrar support
• management of training capacity and budgetary requirements.

As always, the principle of minimising disruption for both current and future cohorts was reinforced in these discussions.
 
To ensure key stakeholder groups are effectively involved in the transition to RACGP-led training, the department also advised that it will establish two new fora to engage stakeholders from ACRRM, RTOs and multiple medical industry peak bodies.
 
Based on feedback received to date, the RACGP will consider its operating model options for addressing the training requirements, with appropriate consideration of workforce management. In parallel, we will also develop an implementation plan that reflects the RACGP’s preferred model.
 
The return of general practice training to the RACGP provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address some of the complex challenges associated with delivering quality healthcare to every postcode in Australia.
 
As we have said before, we need to take the time to get this right.
 
The Department’s recent announcement to extend the duration of the RTOs’ contracts provides us – and our stakeholders – with the necessary breathing space to do this.
 
Once our position on the RACGP’s preferred operating model and transition is ready, we will continue our negotiations with the Government to agree an appropriate future state.
 
We will continue to communicate any major change and milestones throughout this transition to all our members and key stakeholders.
 
Any questions about the transition can be sent to transition@racgp.org.au
 
Log in below to join the conversation.

---

---

AGPT general practice training RACGP

---