The Rural Generalist Training Scheme (RGTS) is a government funded, dedicated stream of the ACRRM Fellowship Program. It is an integrated Rural Generalist pathway that provides a borderless training experience allowing registrars on this pathway to move across localities and/or workplaces as required to meet their broad scope training requirements. RGTS selection, curriculum, education, training and assessment are all purpose-designed to lead doctors to the end point qualification for FACRRM and certified Rural Generalist practice.

The College runs two intakes per year. To start training in July 2022, apply between 10am AEST Tuesday 21 September 2021 and 11.59pm AEST Monday 10 January 2022.

RGTS is designed to make positive progress towards the goals of the National Medical Workforce Strategy, which identifies the geographic maldistribution and inequality in healthcare access.

It pivots for improving access to medical care for remote and rural Australians by strengthening primary care and restoring provision of advanced care services in regional, rural and remote areas, minimising the need for people to travel to cities for specialist and emergency care.

It supports the development and delivery of health care services within rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by formalising direct relationships with local health services.

Yes, in February 2020 Minister for Regional Health the Hon Mark Coulton announced ACRRM would deliver Australia's first government- funded specialist Rural Generalist training program.

ACRRM offers up to 400 RGTS training places over four (4) years, commencing in 2021.

Consistent with ACRRM training standards, all training places are in MMM 2-7 locations. It is intended that all regions will have a target allocation of registrars. These targets are determined in consultation with the Commonwealth Department of Health and key regional organisations to ensure adequate distribution of trainees, viable peer-learning networks and utilisation of program resources.

RGTS is a national program designed to direct registrars to the training locations where they will access high quality training in accredited training posts.

Yes, all ACRRM training posts are accredited to deliver the RGTS.

To be eligible, you must either:

• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen
• become an Australian citizen or permanent resident by the time you finish training if you got your qualification in Australia or New Zealand and are on an approved temporary residency visa

You must also:

• have recognised medical qualifications
• have general medical registration before your training starts, and
• not be currently training towards a Fellowship with ACRRM or the RACGP

The College will act as a single national administrative point for whole-of-program coordination, enabling all registrars and supervisors to liaise directly with the College.

The national training team will include centrally located staff as well as regionally based support staff and educators. These teams will deliver the FACRRM education program and provide support and guidance to facilitate registrars' training progression. The College will also support supervisors and training practices.

The RGTS will operate within the IP framework, training and training support will be delivered directly by the College and registrars will benefit from the same flexible approach to operational policies and conditions. In addition, RGTS training places will benefit from Government funded support to the registrar as well as to their supervisors and training practices.

Registrars have access to relocation funding, recognising that relocations are far more likely for Rural Generalist trainees than other General Practice trainees and can present a considerable financial and personal cost. Registrars also have access to training support to undertake mandatory course requirements of training.

ACRRM supervisors are supported and offered guidance by the College including medical educators and regional and national support staff. They are financially supported for their work as supervisors and be supported to maintain their professional skill set.

Accredited training practices are supported by regional and national ACRRM staff. Practices are supported by ACRRM to attain and maintain accreditation. Financial support is provided to practices and supervisors when training ACRRM registrars. This support recognises the importance of building and sustaining remote/rural training capacity and the difficulties many practices face in recruiting workforce due to pervasive shortages.

Registrars can apply for RPL through their Training Officer or training@acrrm.org.au.

More information on RPL can be found in the Recognition of Prior Learning Policy here.