Stages of training

Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) is a three year program for GP Registrars leading to Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and recognition as vocationally registered GPs. Sydney Institute of General Practice Education and Training manages this training program in Northern, Eastern, Central, South Eastern, and Inner Western Sydney.

Special Skills
A registrar may elect to do a period of training in an area of clinical interest (Special Skills). This experience can generally be obtained at any stage of training - although many registrars do their special skills terms directly after their year of hospital training. NOTE: Plans for Special Skills posts, and their accreditation, need to be approved BEFORE THE TERM COMMENCES.

The majority of special skills posts are undertaken in hospital settings where GP Registrars can focus on Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Palliative Care or Geriatrics. A number of RMO, senior RMO or Registrar posts in public or private hospital settings may be suitable. Australian Defence Force Registrars may discuss with their medical educator the possibility of shipboard or overseas service being accredited as Special Skills. We constantly accredit new positions in response to Registrar training needs - so let us know if you have a special interest or need.

Go to "Academic Opportunities" on the left menu of this page to find out about Academic Special Skills posts.

Basic and Advanced GP Terms
GP Registrars spend their first twelve months of supervised general practice with experienced GP Supervisors, who come from a stable pool of teaching practices. The first six months of supervised general practice is traditionally called the “Basic GP term”; and the second six months is called the “Advanced GP term”. During this twelve months Registrars are employees, their employment arrangements are prescribed by a set of National Minimum Terms and Conditions, and they attend a supplementary formal education program outside the practice as well as receiving considerable teaching within the practice.

Subsequent GP Experience
After their first twelve months of supervised general practice (Basic and Advanced terms), GP Registrars are encouraged to find another practice where they will be working more independently, but still with some supervision. In the past this time has variously been called Subsequent GP Experience, or Mentor Time, or Mentorship. Now confusingly the terminology has changed to Extended skills – general practice, but you will hear all of these terms.

GP Registrars at this stage of training are largely in the free market as far as remuneration is concerned and are encouraged to negotiate with potential supervisors just as any other fully qualified GP would need to.

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