Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the AGPT program?

A. The Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program is an Australian government initiative which provides training for doctors to obtain general practice Fellowship and gain specialist registration.

Currently, registrars enrolled in the AGPT can elect to train to either or both the FACRRM and the FRACGP. FACRRM training is open to both rural and general pathway registrars providing they train in ACRRM-accredited training posts.

The AGPT Program is three to four years of full-time training offered in urban, regional and rural locations nationally.  It comprises hospital training, general practice placements and extended skills training.

Q. I am a PGY1. Should I apply to the program now or during my PGY2 year?
A. It is your choice when to apply.

• If you apply in PGY1 you will complete the 12 month hospital component whilst in the AGPT program.
• Registrars applying in PGY2 or above and wishing to commence in GP training the following year will need to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in lieu of completing the hospital year whilst in the program. Our medical educators will also review your hospital experience (as part of the Hospital Experience Assessment) to determine your readiness to begin in a general practice setting.

Q. Is my chance of being selected by MCCC reduced if I completed my hospital training outside of Victoria?
A. AGPT is a national training program. MCCC welcomes your application, regardless of where you completed your hospital training in Australia.

Q. What is the difference between ACRRM and RACGP training programs?
A. Both these programs are AMC accredited in the discipline of general practice. ACRRM has a unique curriculum and set of assessments which reflect the broader and deeper requirements of the rural and remote context. Registrars must train in posts accredited by ACRRM. The ACRRM program is an integrated program that usually takes four years post-internship.  However registrars with experience may apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL).

Q .Will RTO Selection interviews be virtual?
A. Yes, all interviews will be online.

Q. How are the interviews conducted?
A. The interview process is a very complex, requiring multiple interviewers. This year MCCC will conduct virtual panel interviews for RACGP candidates. ACRRM will conduct virtual Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs). More details will be released soon.

Q. How can I prepare for the interviews?
A. Understanding the requirements for each college, thinking about your past clinical experiences and come up with a variety of examples that you may use depending on the questions asked. Dress smartly and make sure you really listen and understand the question and listen for any prompts.

RACGP practice readiness is assessed by MCCC through a process that involves a review of hospital statements that provide details of the rotations you have completed. This process is different to Recognition of Prior Learning.

Eligible candidates will be sent an email with a link to the Hospital Experience Assessment portal, where they will be asked to provide statements of service. It is imperative that you have Statements of Service for all your hospital time, please request these from your Workforce Managers (not HR) as soon as possible.

MCCC will review and approve the submissions, however in some cases the final decision sits with the RACGP.

ACRRM candidates will develop a training plan to ensure all mandatory core hospital components are achieved before or during training.

Q. Who is responsible for ensuring I have the mandatory hospital terms?
A. You are responsible for ensuring you have completed the mandatory hospital terms and securing your own contract/s.

Q. What are the mandatory requirements for RACGP?
A.  The mandatory requirements are summarised below, but we recommend you read the Fellowship Handbookfor detailed information.

• You require either 1 year FTE after full general registration or 2 years extensive experience in an Australian hospital post if you trained overseas.
• RACGP require 10 week rotations in Medicine, Surgery, Emergency (8 weeks) and Paediatrics.
• As well as a demonstrated breadth of experience ideally in disciplines relating to GP – MCCC specifies this as three different rotations of 10 week terms.

Q. What are the mandatory requirements for ACRRM?

• ACRRM require 10 week rotations in Medicine, Surgery, Emergency
• ACRRM also require you to obtain Paediatric, O&G and Anaesthetics rotations, however these can be undertaking during your training. ACRRM registrars are required to develop a training plan indicating how these rotations or equivalent will be obtained.

Q. How can I meet my mandatory requirements for AGPT?
A.  Both colleges have a number of ways you can meet the requirements, please refer to the the documents below.

• RACGP –  Paediatric Term Guidance Document.
• ACRRM – ACRRM Fellowship Handbook for details.

Q. Can I complete my RACGP Paediatric requirement after I have started in a general practice?
A. No. MCCC requires you to complete your Paediatric requirement prior to commencing the first general practice term (GPT1).

Q. Does the ‘Sydney Child Health Program’ meet the RACGP paediatric requirement in full?
A. No, it will be considered for part of the paediatric component but you will also require some clinical exposure to children i.e. an emergency department term or PGPPP term. Please see the RACGP Paediatric Policy or the ACRRM handbook for more information.

Q. If I have completed an emergency department rotation with paediatrics, will that cover me for the paediatric requirements?
A. You will need two full rotations in emergency departments, one undertaken in PGY1 and one in PGY2 or above. These rotations must have a minimum 20% RACGP and 25% ACRRM paediatric case presentations.

Refer to the ACEM website for recognised Paediatric locations. Smaller hospitals may not be listed, however if the applicant can provide a letter from the hospital confirming the paediatric case presentation during the time the registrars completed the rotation.

Keeping a log book can be beneficial where the percentage is only just being met. See the RACGP Paediatrics Policy for further information.

Q. I have heard the term ‘Hospital Experience Assessment’ or ‘Practice Ready’. Is this the same as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?
A. No, they are not the same.
Practice Readiness is an assessment of your training to date conducted by MCCC to ensure you meet the requirements of either College before commencing in your General Practice term.
RPL is only required if your hospital term was not completed whilst in the AGPT program – ie outside of the program. Please read the College RPL requirements here.
Tip: Ensure you keep all your HMO reports, first and current registration certificate and obtain Statements of Service from each hospital so you have the information you may require for RPL. For further information refer to MCCC RPL for RACGP Registrars Procedure, MCCC RPL for ACRRM Registrars Procedure on the MCCC website and the associated college policies.

Q. Can MCCC tell me if I am Practice Ready over the phone?
A. No.
MCCC can provide you with an indication of your practice readiness to help guide your decisions.
Practice readiness is assessed by MCCC through a process that involves a review of hospital statements that provide details of the rotations you have completed. This assessment occurs once have been accepted into the AGPT program and must be completed prior to taking part in a practice match within MCCC. The final decision sits with the Colleges.

Q. Does my ALS certificate cover me for the required CPR/BLS?
A. BLS/CPR is a component of the ALS certificate. The BLS/CPR component is required to be updated annually. Where as the ALS itself is valid for 4 years. If the ALS is undertaken within 12 months of commencement of training the CPR component will be current. If any longer, an updated CPR is required. Which must be an ARC approved course with course code HLTAID001.

Prior to your interview MCCC will request information about your training plans. Should you be successful in receiving an offer of training, all those who indicated they wished to commence in practice in 2022 will receive comprehensive information about the Registrar Placement process.

MCCC holds a Registrar Placement process which facilitates the matching of registrars to training posts. You are able to apply to practices and locations that are of interest to you and may be shortlisted to interview with practice.

We emphasise that you must have a wide range of options to increase the changes of being placed in locations of your choice.  If you are unsuccessful in initial rounds leading to being unplaced, then MCCC will direct you to the remaining practices in the final stages of placement. You must submit a minimum of three valid placement options or you may remain unmatched.

Additional information can be found in our Registrar Placement Guide

If you require information about when you may be able to be begin in practice, please contact info@mccc.com.au.

Q. When will I find out the outcome of my interviews for the first intake in 2022

ACRRM candidates will receive their offers on 23 July, 2021
RACGP candidates offers will be issued after 9 August, 2021 dependent on your date of interview.

The Colleges deadline to return these offers is very tight, so please keep your eye on your email.

Q. Where is GP training delivered?
A. Murray City Country Coast GP Training delivers training across a region that encompasses North Western and North Eastern Victoria, the greater Albury region into Southern New South Wales, Central Victoria, South Western Victoria and the Greater Northern and Western metropolitan Melbourne area, which covers approximately 40% of the population base of Melbourne. MCCC operates from four regions with five training offices in Bendigo, Parkville, Warrnambool, Geelong and Wodonga.

• General pathway (Modified Monash Model – MM1) incorporates metro west (Melbourne CBD, western Melb and Geelong CBD)
• All other MM2 and above areas are considered rural locations. Please refer to Doctor Connect website and put in specific addresses for all MMM listings.

Q. If I select the rural pathway, do I have to be a Rural Generalist and undertake an Advanced Skill?
A. No. You can be a rural registrar and work in a rural location without any additional training or additional years.

If you do wish to undertake an Advanced Skill then you should apply to be a Rural Generalist, and apply to ACRRM or enroll in RACGP’s RG program and discuss your training plan with MCCC. A new Victorian Rural Generalist program has just been launched as well.

Q. If I join the AGPT program with MCCC as a Rural Pathway registrar can I change to the General Pathway during my training?
A. No. It is very unlikely that this will be approved by AGPT – only if there are extenuating and unforeseen circumstances. Please refer to the AGPT Transfer Policy. for further information.

Q. If I choose the General Pathway can I train in a rural location?
A. Yes, you can. MCCC General Pathway registrars can be placed in any MM location within the MCCC footprint.
Rural Pathway MCCC registrars can only be placed in MM2 – MM7.

You may change your RTO or pathway preference during the applicant preference change period.

RACGP: 8-13 July 2021

Please note, all ACRRM places are rural pathway positions.

Q. When do I need to indicate the my region of choice within MCCC?
A. Once MCCC receive the names of shortlisted applicants from the colleges, all candidates will be asked to complete an Application to Train, which will allow you to indicate your region preference.

Q. How am I allocated to a region within MCCC?
A. Following the MMI results, MCCC will allocate successful candidates to the regions based on their MMI score and, where possible, genuine links to the region.

The region you have been allocated to will be indicated in your Letter of Offer. You may choose to accept or decline this offer. Should you decline, you will then need to speak to your college about future intakes.

Q. Will I work at different locations across MCCC during my AGPT training?
A. MCCC operates across four regions: metro west, north east, north west, south west.

You can complete your entire training in one region or apply to train in other regions at specified times during the Registrar Placement Process.

RACGP registrars are required to meet a diversity requirement that often necessitate moving practices at least once during training. General Pathway registrars in metro west locations historically move every 6 months.

Q. How do I know which practice I will be placed within MCCC?
A. MCCC holds a Registrar Placement process. You are able to apply to locations that are of interest to you.

We emphasise that you must have a wide range of options to increase the changes of being placed in locations of your choice. If you are unsuccessful in initial rounds or provide limited options leading to being unplaced, then MCCC will direct you to the remaining practices in the final stages of placement.

Q. What support is available for MCCC registrars?
A. MCCC provides administrative and medical educator support to registrars. A specific team of educators, the pastoral and learning support (PALS) team, offer individualised support from both a well-being and an education perspective and the team includes communication skills tutors, medical educators and registrar and supervisor representatives.

MCCC also employs a team of Registrar Liaison Officers (RLOs) who are important contact points for registrars in each area. In addition, General Practice Registrars Australia (GPRA) will be available to support registrars.

Q. What is the Recognition of Prior Learning process?

A  Refer to our RPL page for a detailed explanation.

Q. How do I apply for RPL?

If you have sufficient, relevant hospital experience prior to joining the AGPT Program, you may be able to apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL), a process separate to the hospital experience assessment. Learn more about this process on our RPL page.

Please note: Hospital Experience Assessment is different to RPL.

The RPL process will be guided by MCCC on commencement of GP training.

Q. What is selection?

Selection determines if you are eligible to join the AGPT program through pre-selection ‘exams’ and an interview. This occurs after you apply to the training program.

ACRRM: Eligible ACRRM candidates will contacted by the college on 9 June 2021 with an interview invitation.

You must book an interview before 5pm (AEST) 15 June 2021.

You must keep between 1-11 July free as interviews will be held during this period.

RACGP: Eligible RACGP candidates will be contacted by MCCC from 15 July with further information about how to book an interview time slot and additional details of the selection process.

You must keep the three days, 28, 29 July and 1 August free as interviews will be held on one of these days.

Save these dates

Q. Can I choose to stay in the hospital once selected into the AGPT program, even if I meet Practice Ready requirements?
A. Yes. You can choose to complete your required hospital year once accepted into the AGPT program.
You will be required to submit HMO reports to demonstrate you are performing at the required level whilst in training. Hospital core training does not have to be with the MCCC footprint but must be in an approved training environment with adequate supervision.

Q. Can I take leave or defer my AGPT training?
A. Leave and deferral from the AGPT program is restricted.
There are limited circumstances where a registrar can defer commencement of training or take leave. These are in exceptional circumstances and are detailed in the AGPT Program Leave Policy.

Q. Can I commence my GP term mid-year if I have completed the required hospital rotation/s ?
A. MCCC has a mid-year intake around August.

Q. I am interviewing in the second selection intake.

A. As Intake 2 interview outcomes may not be known until late November, the majority of registrar placements will already be completed, therefore successful second intake candidates are unlikely to be placed.

Candidates should seek alternate training hospital posts, this may include Extended and Advanced Skills.  For further information contact Ann Ellis ann.ellis@mccc.com.au

Note: Any training undertaken whilst in the AGPT program must be in an Australian/NZ in approved, accredited teaching posts with adequate supervision throughout the year.

Q. What are the key features of the ACRRM training pathway
A. The Australian College of Rural & Remote Medicine (ACRRM) training program has been developed by Australia’s leading rural doctors and academics, meaning you have access to the best training program in rural generalism.

If you become a rural general practitioner, you will have a lot on your plate, from treating a common cold to being the first on the scene for major trauma or emergency.

Download this MCCC Guide for ACRRM registrars to learn more about the key features and opportunities available for registrars who choose this Fellowship pathway in our region.

Q. Why train for a FACRRM?
A. Fellowship of ACRRM equips you to practise unsupervised anywhere in Australia.  This gives you real freedom, independence and scope of practice through your career. This unique integrated training program provides the skills and confidence to practise in a broad range of geographic and clinical settings. ACRRM Fellowship enables you to follow different career pathways, from solo practice in small communities to leadership roles in larger hospitals; from retrieval and expeditionary medicine to Aboriginal health services or urban general practice. Achieving a FACRRM will verify that you are qualified to practise anywhere – independently and safely.

Q. What is involved in the RACGP selection process?

A. There are two main phases in the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) selection process. The first is undertaking the National Assessment which consists of the Candidate Assessment Applied Knowledge Test (CAAKT) and the second is attending an interview at a preferred Regional Training Organisation (RTO).

Q. How will I be notified for an interview with RACGP?

A .The RACGP will be in contact with you if you are successfully allocated to interview with one of your preferred RTOs.

Q. Can I do FARGP while doing FRACGP?

A. The FARGP is a specialist twelve-month program for registrars wishing to specialise in rural general practice. It is recommended that the FARGP is undertaken during general practice training to enable you to get the most out of your experience and fulfil the majority of FARGP requirements before heading into the FRACGP exams. FARGP can also be undertaken post-Fellowship.

ACRRM:  MCCC will contact successful ACRRM candidates to discuss their training plans and region preference.

RACGP: When MCCC receives the names of shortlisted applicants from the RACGP, shortly after this date you will receive further information from us asking you to indicate your region preference.

Following the virtual interviews, MCCC will allocate successful candidates to the regions, some of which reach capacity quickly. The allocations will be based on their interview score and, where possible, genuine links to the region.

The region you have been allocated to will be indicated in your Letter of Offer. You may choose to accept or decline this offer. Should you decline, you will then need to speak to RACGP about future intakes.

Q. Do I have to undertake all training in rural or remote locations?
A. No, while most registrars will spend a significant amount of training in rural areas, the focus is gaining skills and knowledge required in rural and remote settings. Some of these skills can be developed in urban or rural facilities. However having a good understanding of the context of rural medicine is also essential. Therefore all registrars must spend a minimum of 12 months of training living and practising in a rural or remote setting.

Q. I currently hold a 457, 820, 309 or 482 subclass work visa, will MCCC write a letter of support?
A. MCCC does not provide letters of support to visa holders. Details of RTOs who will provide letters of support is available on the  AGPT website.