Pathway & Fellowship

Pathway to being a GP in Australia

The pathway starts with ensuring your qualifications meet the requirements. UK GPs with CCT and MRCGP are considered “substantially comparable” and are eligible to practice in Australia.

• Gain registration with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) or the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

• Specialist Pathway. This is the pathway you will be undergoing as you start working in Australia.

• Apply for a Work Visa. You can apply for a working visa, often through employer sponsorship.

To find out more about the Pathway and registration process to move into Australia, contact us to gain your full registration guide and advice.

Australia Registration: RACGP PEP Specialist Pathway or APRHA Fast Track?

There are now two options available:

The benefit of the APRHA Fast Track route is that it’s quicker and cheaper. The benefit of the RACGP PEP Pathway is that it’s an established process and you gain your Fellowship whereas in the APRHA process you gain your VR status.

The PEP (Practice Experience Program) Specialist Stream is designed for internationally trained GPs seeking fellowship recognition in Australia. This stream allows doctors to gain valuable experience while working in a supervised environment within Australian general practice settings.

Participants work closely with experienced mentors, enhancing their clinical skills and understanding of local healthcare systems. The programme aims to support GPs in achieving FRACGP accreditation through tailored training and assessment, facilitating a smoother transition into the Australian medical workforce.

• VR GP: A Vocationally Registered GP is recognised by Medicare as meeting high standards for primary care but may not have completed a formal fellowship exam.
• Fellow GP: A Fellow GP has completed a fellowship with the RACGP (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners) or ACRRM (Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine), which includes exams and assessments. This fellowship is the highest qualification for GPs in Australia and indicates these GPs meet extensive standards in medical knowledge, skills, and patient care.

Please note: no matter which pathway you choose, we will guide you to ensure that everything is boxed off in order for you to work as a GP in Australia!

What is fellowship?

FRACGP is the fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. It’s a specialist general practice qualification available through the Australian Medical Council (AMC).

The FRACGP demonstrates a doctor’s ability to meet high standards in general practice. This doesn’t just show your quality as a GP but comes with additional benefits such as higher Medicare rebates (to increase your billings and earnings) and allows others to see you have obtained the highest level of training. To achieve FRACGP, a GP must complete a rigorous training programme, pass exams, and show competence across several areas of medical practice.

Visa Options:

As an IMG, you will require a visa to work in Australia. This is sponsored through your employer.

The Temporary Skilled Shortage Visa (482) is the recommended temporary visa for doctors. This also has the fastest application process.

How long does the registration take?

On average for a UK GP, the registration process will take 9-12 months to complete. This includes all registrations, including your Visa. However, the length of time can vary (due to dealing with public institutions) so we recommend speaking with us well in advance of these timeframes.