Update as of 4 April 2024
In the 2023-24 Budget the Australian Government decided to replace the More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP) with the Pre-Fellowship Program (PFP).
The PFP aims to:
- help doctors gain valuable general practice experience
- improve access to general practitioners (GPs) in Distribution Priority Areas (DPA)
- give general practices the opportunity to recruit from a pool of previously unavailable doctors.
Eligibility
To receive a placement on the PFP, the doctor and practice must meet minimum requirements.
Doctors:
The PFP is open to IMGs and other non-vocationally registered doctors who are:
- Australian citizens
- Permanent residents
- Temporary residents
Eligible doctors must:
- hold current registration with the Medical Board of Australia
- have an offer of employment and the necessary skills and experience to perform the role
- provide evidence of appropriate support in place to meet supervision requirements (if applicable)
- undertake GP professional development activities, including compulsory modules
- review readiness for fellowship training, in conjunction with their medical adviser every 3 months
- take active steps to join a GP College-led Fellowship pathway within the defined period
A doctor is not eligible to join PFP if they:
- have previously been on a 3GA program
- are currently on or have previously been approved on MDRAP
- are vocationally registered
Once a doctor leaves the PFP to join a GP College-led Fellowship program, they are not eligible to return to the PFP.
Practices/Clinics:
Eligible locations include practices that are either:
- located within a Distribution Priority Area (DPA)
- classified as an Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS)
- classified as an Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Service
- subject to Ministerial direction under s19(2) or a s19(5) of the Health Insurance Act 1973.
Medical practices who employ a doctor participating in the PFP must be:
- accredited as a general practice against the RACGP Standards for general practices, and
- be accredited or working towards accreditation as a training practice with either the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine or Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
To find eligible locations, search the Health Workforce Locator.
For further details regarding the PFP please refer to the Department of Health and Aged Care fact sheet.
As of 3 April, 2024, the PFP guidelines are accessible on Department of Health and Aged Careâs webpage. Please note that RWAV’s PFP application form will be available soon.
In the meantime, please email an expression of interest (EOI) or any enquiries, to the GP Programâs team at GPprograms@rwav.com.au
Thank you for your patience.