Skip to main content
Rural Generalist

Rural Generalist

Rural Generalist

Your Pathway into Rural Generalist training in North Queensland

Entry Requirements

  • Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian permanent resident or on an accepted temporary visa holder with an active Australian permanent residency application. 
  • Have recognised medical qualifications. 
  • Hold, or expect to hold, general medical registration prior to the commencement of training. 
  • Be willing to cease training on any other vocational training programs, if you are successful in gaining a training position on the AGPT program. 
  • Have fulfilled all requirements of the Australian Medical Council (AMC), or the Competent Authority pathway, if you obtained your medical qualification outside of Australia or New Zealand (For overseas trained doctors only). 
  • Have a minimum of one exam semester remaining to complete all Fellowship exams, as per the Fellowship Exam Attempts Policy, if you’ve previously sat Fellowship exams since January 2019. 

Total Training Time

Total: 4 years (full-time)

  • 12 months full-time equivalent (FTE) hospital terms (can be postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) or above) 
  • 18 months FTE community-based GP terms (minimum of 12-months FTE must be in a rural MMM3-7 location) 
  • 12 months FTE Additional Rural Skills Training (ARST) 
  • six-month core emergency medicine training 
  • (optional) six-month extended skills term in either a hospital, community GP or community non-GP setting 

Application Deadline

AGPT Candidates                                                                                                   
Candidates who have accepted an AGPT training place with the RACGP can apply to complete the RG Fellowship at any time. 

GPs in training 
GPs in training completing the Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP) can apply to complete the RG Fellowship at any point in their training. 

Practising GPs 
Practising GPs with the FRACGP qualification can apply to complete the RG Fellowship at any time. Prior learning and experience will be recognised. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Rural Generalist medicine and General Practice?

Rural Generalist Medicine is a specific approach to General Practice that is particularly relevant to rural and remote communities. The Rural Generalist Medicine body of skills incorporates the skillset of General Practice and is specifically shaped to optimise medical service capacity in rural and remote clinical contexts. 

As rural and remote settings are characterised by their restricted access to the range of services, staff and resources available in urban centres, Rural Generalists are skilled to perform a broad range of medical services, including some skills, ordinarily within the province of other specialties. They are trained to apply these services effectively in a low resource environment, including working in local healthcare teams and providing local medical leadership in managing patient support from health care specialists in urban centres. 

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website aims to assist medical students and doctors in training with medical career planning. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is current and accurate, all details should be verified through the relevant Specialist College.

NQRTH is an initiative of the Australian Government's Integrated Rural Training Pipeline (IRTP) and is facilitated by James Cook University in partnership with public and private hospitals, Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC), health services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and GP clinics.

Cairns region
(07) 4226 8187

Central West region
(07) 4764 1547

Mackay region
(07) 4885 7122

North West region
(07) 4764 1547

Torres and Cape region
(07) 4095 6103

Townsville region
(07) 4781 3424