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

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of applications recieved vs applicants selected. Eligible applications received is 431, Applicants selected is 316.

Number of Queensland and Australian specialists

6586

Number of QLD specialists

28551

Number of Australian specialists

Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows

245

Number of QLD new fellows

1212

Number of Australian new fellows

Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours

1283

Number of QLD trainees

36.8

Average weekly hours

Information on specialists

  • 6,586

    Number of QLD specialists

  • 245

    Number of QLD new fellows

  • 36.8 hours

    Average weekly hours QLD

  • 51 years

    Average age QLD

  • Specialists over 60

    This donut chart shows that 25% of specialists are aged over 60 years.
  • Specialist intending to retire by 2032

    This donut chart shows that 42% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2032.
  • Location in Queensland

    This donut chart shows the percentage of specialists by their location: 28.5% are located in regional Queensland, 68.9% are in major cities, and 2.6% are in remote regions. The chart highlights that a vast majority of specialists are based in major cities.
  • Proportion Female/Male - QLD

    52%
    male

    48%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 52%, Females are 48%.
  • Public vs Private

    89.4%
    private

    10.6%
    public

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of public and private specialists. Private is 89.4%, Public is 10.6%.

Information on trainees

  • 1,283

    Number of Queensland trainees

  • 358

    Number of new Queensland trainees

  • 5,655

    Number of Australian trainees

  • 1,478

    Number of new Australian trainees

  • Proportion female/male trainees in Queensland

    45.3%
    male

    54.7%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 45.3%, Females are 54.7%.
  • 2023 QLD Training program selections (first year)

    431
    eligible

    316
    selected

    This doughnut chart shows the number of 2023 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year). 431 Eligible applications were received, 316 of those were selected.

Number of Queensland trainees 2015-2022

This line chart shows the trend of the number of Queensland trainees from 2015 to 2022. The data points are: 2015 - 1241 trainees, 2016 - 1319 trainees, 2017 - 1320 trainees, 2018 - 1321 trainees, 2019 - 1328 trainees, 2020 - 1259 trainees, 2021 - 1291 trainees, 2022 - 1283 trainees.

Hear about our training

GP Training in Northern Queensland

What our staff have to say

Testimonial icon

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 here.

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.

    Rural Generalist Trainig 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.

    Training locations

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    Last updated: September 2024