Significant changes are being introduced to the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program for the 2026 intake. These updates are designed to streamline the application process, enhance accessibility for candidates, and ensure alignment with the evolving needs of general practice training in Australia.
What’s Changing?
Here are the significant updates to the AGPT Program application and selection process:
- Referees No Longer Required
- Applicants will no longer need to provide referees as part of the AGPT Program application.
- Visa Flexibility
- Non-citizens or non-permanent residents of Australia or New Zealand are no longer required to have an active permanent residency (PR) application at the time of applying. However, candidates must still be on an accepted visa and obtain PR by the end of their training.
- New Online Selection Assessment
- A single online assessment will replace the multiple mini-interview (MMI) and candidate assessment and applied knowledge test (CAAKT). This new exam can be completed from anywhere, with candidates able to pre-select a date and time within the assessment window.
- Reduced Fee
- The application and selection fee has been lowered to $690.
- Updated Hospital Experience Requirements
- The new requirements include Australian Medical Council PGY 2 certification or general registration, plus an additional 12 months of hospital experience before entering a community-based general practice term. The paediatric requirement remains, with updated guidelines allowing it to be met during the first year in the AGPT Program.
- RACGP Fellowship Exam Attempt Limit
- Applicants who have already attempted RACGP Fellowship exams must have at least two remaining exam semesters available from the commencement of training to be eligible for the 2026 intake.
- Priority for Areas of Need
- Applicants nominating an RACGP-identified area of need as their first preference and successfully progressing through the selection process will be guaranteed a training place.
- Northern Territory Grant
- A $20,000 grant is available for doctors who accept a Northern Territory 2026 AGPT Program training place. The grant will be paid in two instalments of $10,000 after completing the first and second community-based general practice training terms in the NT.
Why Are These Changes Being Made?
These updates reflect RACGP’s commitment to ensuring the AGPT Program continues to meet the needs of candidates while maintaining high standards of training. Specifically, these changes aim to:
- Streamline the application and selection process.
- Improve access to selection assessments, particularly for doctors in busy clinical environments and rural areas.
- Increase opportunities for doctors to apply for the AGPT Program.
- Expand training opportunities and support for rural and remote settings.
- Align RACGP training requirements with the updated Australian Medical Council standards.
Key Dates
The next AGPT Program intake period will open on Monday 3 March 2025 and close on Tuesday 8 April 2025.
Also view our blog post on choosing your pathway to fellowship. FSP vs AGPT.