Adding to a rather changeable few months for GPs relocating to Australia, the RACGP have recently announced further changes to the registration pathway.

As of 1 September 2019, the current Specialist Recognition Program will close to be replaced by the PEP Specialist Stream.After this date, the RACGP will no longer award Fellowship ad eudum gradum directly and will require a period of supervision and workbased assessment prior to being awarded Fellowship with the College. GPs will however still be granted with Specialist Medicare provider numbers to allow full access to Medicare rebates, and not negatively affecting your income.

It also means that GPs enrolling in this pathway will be required to work only in areas classified as MMM2-MMM7.The state capitals of Australia are primarily MMM1 therefore moving overseas trained GPs to more regional locations.

The new Health Workforce Certificates remain in place and will work in conjunction with the PEP specialist pathway. District of Workforce shortage is also a requirement.

We strongly recommend that if you are interested in working in one of the cities then you get in touch to discuss your plans further and applying for a job prior to the changes coming in September this year.

Further Reading

7 Benefits of working in Regional Australia

Visas for GPs – Health Workforce Certificates

Medical Registration Australia