Specialty overview
A General Practitioner (GP) is the first point of contact in matters of personal health. GPs take a patient-centred approach to the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care of persons across all ages, sexes and disease categories, and often provide care across a patient’s lifetime. GPs are responsible for the coordination of accessible, integrated patient care and are required to contribute to external clinical teams, as well as engage with medical specialists and other healthcare professionals according to patient need.
Clinical practice
GPs predominately work in private practice, however many GPs working in regional, rural or remote areas are required to work within the practice population, which can include in-home visits, outreach clinics, and in hospital or community settings.
Key statistics
2023 QLD Training program selections(first year)
431
eligible
316
selected
Number of Queensland and Australian specialists
Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows
Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours
Information on specialists
-
Specialists over 60
This donut chart shows that 25% of specialists are aged over 60 years. -
Specialist intending to retire by 2033
This donut chart shows that 42% of 2023 workforce intend to retire by 2033. -
Location in QLD
This donut chart shows the percentage of specialists by their location: 29.3% are located in regional QLD, 67.8% are in major cities, and 2.9% are in remote regions. The chart highlights that a vast majority of specialists are based in major cities. -
Proportion Female/Male - QLD
51.4%
male48.6%
femaleThis doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 51.4%, Females are 48.6%. -
Public vs Private
88%
private12%
publicThis doughnut chart shows the proportion of public and private specialists. Private is 89.4%, Public is 10.6%.
Information on trainees
-
Proportion female/male trainees in QLD 2022*
45%
male55%
femaleThis doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 45%, Females are 55%. -
2023 QLD Training program selections (first year)
431
eligible316
selectedThis doughnut chart shows the number of 2024 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year). 431 Eligible applications were received, 316 of those were selected.
Number of QLD trainees 2015-2022
Hear about our training
What our staff have to say
Dr Laura MacDonald
General Practitioner
JCU Health Centre
When people ask me now about whether they should become a GP, I tell them about the diversity, the flexibility, and that you’ll never stop learning.
Training information
College
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) OR Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)
Length of training
RACGP (AGPT) - 3 years full-time (general practice training), 4 years full-time (general practice and rural generalist training)
ACRRM - minimum 4 years full-time (3 years core generalist training, minimum 1 year advanced specialised training)
Method of allocation
College-selected trainees may be allocated to a training post by:
- College
Program overview
General practice training is delivered via a number of different pathways leading to fellowship that is either awarded through the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
General practice training leading to fellowship with RACGP (FRACGP) incorporates hospital training, general practice placements and extended skills training (either hospital or GP based). Trainees wishing to develop additional rural skills may undertake further training to gain Rural Generalist (RG) Fellowship.
Rural general practice training leading to fellowship with ACRRM (FACRRM) incorporates core generalist training in primary care, secondary care, emergency care, rural and remote practice, paediatrics, obstetrics and anaesthetics. Advanced specialised training in a range of disciplines, such as obstetrics and gynaecology, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, anaethesia and mental health, is available to ACRRM trainees as part of fellowship training.
Further information on a career in Rural Generalism can be found .
The Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program is a college-led program facilitated through both RACGP and ACRRM. The AGPT provides two different pathways for prospective trainees to undertake their GP training program - either the General Pathway or Rural Pathway.
The General Pathway, provided by RACGP, provides education and experience in general practice in any region of Australia, including metropolitan locations.
The Rural Pathway provides training and experience in general practice medicine across regional, rural and remote locations enabling trainees to complete their fellowship through either or both RACGP and ACRRM.
Other pathways to a general practice qualification include:
- Remote Vocational Training Scheme (ACRRM and RACGP)
- Independent Pathway (ACRRM)
- Specialist Pathway Program (RACGP)
- General Practice Experience Pathway (RACGP)
Training and assessment summary
For detailed information in relation to training and assessment requirements, please contact RACGP or ACRRM.
Eligibility
AGPT (ACRRM & RACGP):
Applicants must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian permanent resident, possess a recognised primary medical qualification and hold current general registration.
ACRRM Independent Pathway:
Applicants may be an Australian citizen, permanent or temporary resident (skilled migration or business visa only); may hold general, provisional or limited registration (for area of need) with the Medical Board of Australia.
Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS):
Applicants may be an Australian citizen, permanent or temporary resident and may hold either general or limited registration with Medical Board of Australia. Further information on the RVTS can be found here.
Rural Generalist Training Scheme (RGTS):
Applicants may be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident or a temporary Australian resident who has gained their primary medical degree in Australia or New Zealand, possess a recognised primary medical qualification and hold general medical registration.
Flexibility
RACGP
Part-time training must comprise a 14.5-hour minimum working week, over a minimum of 2 days per week.
Training is to be completed in 4 years for trainees seeking FRACGP, 5 years for trainees seeking FRACGP and FACRRM, and 6 years for trainees seeking RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship or dual fellowship (RACGP Fellowship and ACRRM Fellowship with an advanced specialised trianing in surgery).
An extension to a trainee's program time can be discussed with a training coordinator and more information can be found on the RACGP website.
ACRRM
Part-time training must average no less than 16 hours per week over 1 year, approval provided by training providers.
Interrupted training
Allowed up to a maximum of 2 years (ACRRM and RACGP). ACRRM can approve up to 12 months leave at a time. RACGP will approve leave in blocks of 26 weeks. Both colleges require a return-to-work plan to be developed for registrars returning from a break of clinical practice of 12 months or more.