If I am a FIFO/DIDO registrar, how will I be assessed for eligibility for the rural support payment?
If I am a FIFO/DIDO registrar, how will I be assessed for eligibility for the rural support payment?
The Rural Support Payment Policy is designed to support those registrars living in the rural and/or remote area and with an eligible training term. If you are a FIFO/DIDO registrar, you will be assessed on the amount of time and you are in the country town and payment will be based on your primary place of residence.
How is a rural area declared “hard to fill”?
How is a rural area declared “hard to fill”?
Assessment of hard-to-fill areas is based on historical placement data, reviewed every year with the policy cycle of review.
Am I eligible for the AGPT program?
Am I eligible for the AGPT program?
In order to be eligible to apply for the 2021 AGPT program you must have:
- General registration or be eligible to be granted it by the time you are due to commence the training program.
- Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or have permanent residency or be granted your permanent residency by close of applications.
How do I apply to the AGPT program?
I haven’t completed the mandatory hospital experience, can I still apply?
I haven’t completed the mandatory hospital experience, can I still apply?
Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria, you are able to apply. You can complete the required mandatory hospital experience during the first year of the program. Please note that you will not be able to commence your community GP placements until you have completed the mandatory hospital experience.
I currently hold a 457 Visa but gained my medical degree in Australia, can I apply to WAGPET?
I currently hold a 457 Visa but gained my medical degree in Australia, can I apply to WAGPET?
Can I apply outside the national application dates?
Can I apply outside the national application dates?
No, all applications to the AGPT program must be made through the national application process.
What is Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 and how do I know if I am subject to it?
What is Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 and how do I know if I am subject to it?
This Act restricts access to Medicare benefits and requires those subject to it to work in a district of workforce shortage (DWS) for a period of ten years from when they first become registered in Australia. It applies to overseas trained doctors (OTDs) and foreign graduates of accredited medical schools (FGAMS) who gained their first Australian medical registration after 1 January 1997. If you are unsure about your moratorium status, please contact the Department of Health by email at 19AB@health.gov.au.
I have completed 12 months hospital post general registration, can I go straight into community GP?
I have completed 12 months hospital post general registration, can I go straight into community GP?
No. When you apply for AGPT, you apply for the full 3-4 year training program. If you have already completed 12 months post general registration, you will be eligible to apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL). However, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to go straight into general practice as placement demand is high and there are a limited number of places. Therefore, you must have a hospital job lined up for the first year of the program. Please refer to the Enrolment, Placement and Employment Policy in the WAGPET GP Registrar Policy Handbook.
Can the rotations I did as an intern count as my mandatory hospital experience?
Can the rotations I did as an intern count as my mandatory hospital experience?
Yes, hospital experience gained prior to receiving your general registration can be counted. However, all participants on the AGPT must have completed at least PGY1 and PGY2.
If I am on the rural pathway, can I complete my hospital year in a metro hospital?
If I am on the rural pathway, can I complete my hospital year in a metro hospital?
Yes, you will be able to complete your hospital year in a metro hospital. However, you will be required to complete the rest of your training in MMM 2-7.
I am in Australia as an international student, am I required to apply to the rural pathway?
I am in Australia as an international student, am I required to apply to the rural pathway?
Yes. If you are an Australian graduate who began your studies as temporary resident, you are subject to Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act and therefore, can only apply to the AGPT rural pathway unless you have an exemption from the Minister of Health. If an exemption is granted before you apply, you may apply for the general pathway. For more information, please refer to the Department of Health website or email your specific query to 19AB@health.gov.au.
Do I need to be a member of the college I am training towards a fellowship with?
Do I need to be a member of the college I am training towards a fellowship with?
Yes. You must be a financial ACRRM or RACGP member from the time you join the Vocational Training Pathway and throughout your candidature. WAGPET will share your contact details with both colleges so they can keep you informed of all college matters. For more information, please refer to the ACRRM and RACGP websites.
Can I receive financial help from WAGPET to pay for ACRRM or RACGP fees, including summative assessments, resources, courses and enrolment fees?
Can I receive financial help from WAGPET to pay for ACRRM or RACGP fees, including summative assessments, resources, courses and enrolment fees?
No, these are your responsibility.
What are the consulting hour requirements if I am working full-time?
What are the consulting hour requirements if I am working full-time?
You should be working 38 hours per week. Booked consulting hours vary depending on the term level. Consulting hours for registrars are as follows:
GPT1/PRRT1 – 31 hours
GPT2/PRRT2 – 33 hours
GPT3/PRRT3 – 35 hours
The remainder of your time is made up with other activities. For more information, please refer to the WAGPET GP Registrar Handbook and the National Terms and Conditions for the Employment of Registrars.
What are the consulting hour requirements if I am working part-time?
What are the consulting hour requirements if I am working part-time?
You should be working 19 hours per week. Booked consulting hours vary depending on the term level. Consulting hours for registrars are as follows:
GPT1/PRRT1 – 16 hours
GPT2/PRRT2 – 16 hours
GPT3/PRRT3 – 18 hours
The remainder of your time is made up with other activities. For more information, please refer to the WAGPET GP Registrar Handbook and the National Terms and Conditions for the Employment of Registrars.
What are the weekly in-practice teaching time requirements for GP registrars?
What are the weekly in-practice teaching time requirements for GP registrars?
You are required to have one hour of individual face-to-face formal teaching with your supervisor. Registrars who commenced community GP in January are required to have two hours (full-time) or one hour (part-time) of quarantined study time in GPT1/PRRT1 and GPT2/PRRT2.
If you are a part-time registrar who commenced prior to January 2020, you are required to have two hours of opportunistic corridor teaching in GPT1/PRRT1 and 30 minutes of opportunistic corridor teaching in GPT2/PRRT2 and beyond. For more information, please refer to the WAGPET GP Registrar Handbook.
Can I defer my AGPT training?
Can I defer my AGPT training?
Generally, deferral of the commencement of training on the AGPT program is not permitted. Deferral of the commencement of training will only be considered in extenuating and unforeseen circumstances. All deferral requests must be submitted in writing with supporting evidence attached prior to the commencement of the AGPT program training year, however, approval is not automatic. For more information, please refer to the AGPT policies.
What is my education requirement as a GPT1/PRRT1 or GPT2/PRRT2 registrar?
What is my education requirement as a GPT1/PRRT1 or GPT2/PRRT2 registrar?
You are required to complete your GP365 education in the first 12 months, regardless of whether you are working full or part-time.
How fast should I progress through GP365?
How fast should I progress through GP365?
GP registrars should be completing approximately two to three Key Clinical Activities (KCAs) per week, which equates to approximately one Learning Essential Module per fortnight.
What happens if I am not keeping up with the GP365 requirements?
What happens if I am not keeping up with the GP365 requirements?
You should speak with your GP supervisor about your progress and any issues or difficulties in the first instance. WAGPET program training advisors (PTAs) and regional medical educators (RMEs) are also here to monitor and provide assistance. If you fail to complete GP365 requirements, you will not be assessed as exam-ready and may find yourself unable to sit your college assessments.
Do I have to complete a KCA if I have demonstrated significant knowledge and experience of that topic?
Do I have to complete a KCA if I have demonstrated significant knowledge and experience of that topic?
The onus is on your GP supervisor to make that assessment. If your supervisor believes you are very skilled and experienced in a certain topic, your KCA responses for that Learning Essential Module may be minimal. You should discuss each KCA with your supervisor and, if appropriate, they may sign off that the KCA is complete.
What happens if I don't see any patients that relate to KCA topics?
What happens if I don't see any patients that relate to KCA topics?
You may use a case you saw in another rotation prior to commencing GP training, role play a theoretical case with your supervisor or reflect on one of your supervisor's cases, that is relevant to a KCA.
Why don't the 22 Learning Essentials Modules cover all topics for GP training?
Why don't the 22 Learning Essentials Modules cover all topics for GP training?
The Learning Essential modules are designed to be a starting point and provide you with some focus and direction with respect to your study. The majority of teaching and learning will occur on the job and GP365 is not designed to cover the full spectrum of the GP training curriculum.
How long are GP365 logins valid for?
How long are GP365 logins valid for?
Your GP365 login is valid for the duration of your training.
What are the workshop dates?
What are the workshop dates?
The workshop schedule is released at the start of each semester and registrars are notified via email. The workshop dates are also available on the Key Dates page.
How do I know which regional education days to attend?
How do I know which regional education days to attend?
Regional education days are grouped according to the location of your GP practice. This allows WAGPET to coordinate the days in the most efficient way. This may mean that your practice will have to plan to have multiple GP registrars away for regional education days at any one time.
I have forgotten my UX portal login details. How do I reset it?
I have forgotten my portal login details. How do I reset it?
To reset your username or password, please email helpdesk@wagpet.com.au.
I have not yet heard from my ECT visitor – what do I do?
I have not yet heard from my ECT visitor – what do I do?
If you have attempted to contact the ECT Visitor themselves and have not been successful, please contact your PTA.
What happens if I don’t get my fellowship papers in on time or back in time?
What happens if I don’t get my fellowship papers in on time or back in time?
You won’t have a provider number which means your patients won’t have access to a Medicare rebate which will affect your ability to work in a practice. You can avoid this by applying for a one-off extension of training time while awaiting fellowship that gives you a 12-week extension and a Medicare provider number in a WAGPET-accredited practice. For more information, please refer to the AGPT Extension of Training Time Policy.
Where can I work while I am awaiting my fellowship paperwork?
Where can I work while I am awaiting my fellowship paperwork?
You can get a provider number to work in a general practice accredited by WAGPET against ACRRM or the RACGP standards. You cannot go on leave or get a provider number from another 3GA program. For more information, please refer to the AGPT Extension of Training Time Policy.
What happens if I fail any of the exams?
What happens if I fail any of the exams?
If you've complied with all the WAGPET training and education requirements, you may be eligible for additional assistance and extra training time to try again. If you haven’t complied with ongoing support and attempts to assist you, you may be withdrawn from the program for non-compliance. For more information, please refer to the AGPT Extension of Training Time Policy.
Can I start my AGPT on leave?
Can I start my AGPT on leave?
No. You must have a job with either a hospital for the CCT/Hospital year or a position approved by WAGPET in GPT1/PRRT1 or an ARST/AST. Without one of these positions, you will be withdrawn from the AGPT program and will need to apply for the following year. For more information, please refer to the AGPT Training Obligations Policy.
Can I take leave during training?
Can I take leave during training?
Yes. There are different categories of leave available to GP registrars:
Category 1 (legislative leave) – parental leave, sick leave and carer’s leave
Category 2 (additional leave) – personal regions other purposes than Category 1, unable to secure an appropriate training placement
Category 3 – Australian Defence Force
Category 4 – Program deferrals
Legislative leave is limited to three years if you are undertaking the FRACGP and four years if you are undertaking the FACRRM. When you have had this much leave you will be withdrawn from the AGPT, unless there are extenuating and unforeseen reasons to keep you in the program. You can reapply to join the AGPT program in the next intake. Please refer to the Leave Policy in the WAGPET GP Registrar Policy Handbook.
How do I apply for leave?
How do I apply for leave?
To apply for leave, please download the Application for Leave form, fill it out and email it to central@wagpet.com.au. This will then be assessed by your PTA and we will be in touch to notify you of the outcome.
I need to take category 1 leave part way through a semester. Do I need to redo the entire semester?
I need to take category 1 leave part way through a semester. Do I need to redo the entire semester?
No, the time you have already completed before going on leave is counted towards training time.
Who approves my category 1 leave? Can I return to the same practice after leave?
Who approves my category 1 leave? Can I return to the same practice after leave?
Both WAGPET and your practice must approve your Category 1 leave.
What happens if my category 1 leave extends beyond my current placement?
What happens if my category 1 leave extends beyond my current placement?
If you do not have a confirmed placement, you will need to reapply for a new placement through the usual process. This may or may not be in the practice you were with prior to your leave.
Who should I send my Medicare provider number application to?
Who should I send my Medicare provider number application to?
You should give the form to your GP supervisor and training facility for their contribution and then it is your responsibility to return it to WAGPET for processing via AGPT and Medicare.
Can I restart my training midway through a semester?
Can I restart my training midway through a semester?
Yes, subject to you having a confirmed placement.
When are provider number applications due to WAGPET?
When are provider number applications due to WAGPET?
Provider number applications are due on 15 April for semester 2 placements of that year and 15 October for semester 1 placements of the following year.
What happens if I don't get a provider number for all my practice locations?
What happens if I don't get a provider number for all my practice locations?
Your patients won't be able to claim a Medicare rebate and you won't be able to bulk bill or bill some specific items. This means you most likely won't get paid.
When will my new billing rate from Medicare come through once I have done mental health training?
When will my new billing rate from Medicare come through once I have done mental health training?
It takes around four to six weeks for Medicare to process this information. If you have not heard from Medicare six weeks after you have submitted your post work, call 132 150 or email them at medicare.prov@humanservices.gov.au.
Do I need to apply for my own provider number once I have fellowed with a college?
Do I need to apply for my own provider number once I have fellowed with a college?
You will need to apply to Medicare independently for a provider number. Any further queries regarding provider numbers after fellowing should be directed to Medicare. You can contact Medicare on 1300 302 122.
Can I work part-time for some or most or all of my training?
Can I work part-time for some or most or all of my training?
If you wish to work part-time, you can train at 0.5 FTE, which is 19 hours. The distribution of working hours (consulting and administration) is based on your current training term.
If I am a full-time registrar, can I change to part-time?
If I am a full-time registrar, can I change to part-time?
You can apply to change to part-time via an Application for Part-Time Training, which you need to send to the Central team at central@wagpet.com.au. You will not be able to change to part-time mid-semester unless there are unforeseen and extenuating circumstances.
What happens if I don’t complete the registrar declaration when I start training? Who do I talk to if I feel I cannot sign it for any reason?
What happens if I don’t complete the registrar declaration when I start training? Who do I talk to if I feel I cannot sign it for any reason?
There are serious consequences, for example, being excluded from future placements, forced leave and ultimately, withdrawal. The declaration is your commitment to us that you will participate in the AGPT and meet its requirements in the time allocated. If you have any questions about signing this, you should contact your PTA immediately.
I have finished my moratorium. When can I transfer to the general pathway from the rural pathway?
I have finished my moratorium. When can I transfer to the general pathway from the rural pathway?
If you are an overseas trained doctor (OTD) and you have fulfilled your moratorium requirements, you can apply for a general pathway position. However, there is no guarantee it would be approved if you have entered the AGPT with a low score for your year of entry or there are no available places due to WAGPET’s commitment to the rural community. Approval for transfer must come from the Department of Health (DOH). For more information, please refer to the AGPT Transfer Policy.
I am a rural registrar but I can only get the skills training I need in a metropolitan area. What should I do?
I am a rural registrar but I can only get the skills training I need in a metropolitan area. What should I do?
If you are a rural registrar that needs to take your non GP Extended Skills, Advanced Specialised Training and/or Advanced Rural Skills Training terms, you must contact WAGPET to request approval to temporarily undertake some of your training in an MM 1 location. A transfer from the rural pathway to the general pathway is not required in this instance. For more information, please refer to the AGPT Transfer Policy.