Goal

The Pre-Fellowship Program (PFP) aims to:

• help doctors gain valuable general practice experience
• improve access to general practitioners (GPs) in rural and remote areas of the NT
• 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.

Doctors can have general, provisional or limited registration.

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 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.

Ongoing requirements for participants

If you participate in this program, you must show you are working towards GP Fellowship. You must:

• review your readiness for GP Fellowship training with your RWA every 3 months
• apply to a GP College-led Fellowship training program at least once a year with either the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) or the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP):
  • Australian General Practice Training program (through ACCRM and RACGP)
  • Independent Pathway (through ACRRM)
  • Fellowship Support Program (through RACGP)
  • Remote Vocational Training Scheme (through Remote Vocational Training Scheme Ltd)
• complete foundation general practice training modules within 3 months of commencing the program. The RACGP and ACCRM determine the training modules
• meet AHPRA’s requirements for continuing professional development.

Support

The Pre-Fellowship Program (PFP) allows doctors with placements in Distribution Priority Areas to access items on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).

As a 3GA approved workforce program, doctors on this program satisfy section 19AA of the Health Insurance Act 1973.

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) with provisional or limited registration will also receive funding support for supervision and learning and development.