What is the Practice Experience Program?

The Practice Experience Program is a work-based assessment program designed to support Non-Vocationally Registered Doctors on achieving the RACGP Fellowship. This Non-VR support program is funded under the Australian Government’s (Department of Health) Stronger Rural Health Strategy for Doctors based in MMM2 to MMM7.

The PEP program could be completed either through the Standard Stream or Specialist Stream. The standard stream is the pathway to gain fellowship with RACGP for Non- VR doctors while the PEP specialist stream is the pathway for International Medical Graduates (IMG) with overseas specialist qualifications.

Program Duration

The Practice Experience Program consists of 6-month terms. The number of terms are allocated to participants based on their General Practice Experience. The education component of PEP Standard Stream varies from 12 months (2 terms) to 30 months until 30 June 2023, whichever is sooner.

PEP Standard Stream Eligibility Requirements

According to the RACGP the eligibility requirements for participants enrolled in the PEP Standard are as follows:

1.         Participants may not sit Fellowship examinations whilst still in the PEP Standard. Participants may enrol in examinations prior to completion of Program time but must have completed allocated Program time by the time that they sit the exams.

2.         Prior to enrolling in any examination, participants must have completed, as assessed under the Assessment of General Practice Experience Policy:

-            Four years’ full time equivalent general practice experience in the last ten years;

-            One year’s full time equivalent general practice experience in the last four years;

-            One year’s full time equivalent general Australian general practice experience in the last four years;

-            Six months’ full time equivalent in comprehensive Australian general practice experience in the last four years.

3.         Hold current Australian medical registration from the date of entering the PEP and throughout their candidature. Participants must promptly disclose all details of any:

-            restrictions on or changes to their medical registration; and/or

-            regulatory authority activity, whether in Australia or otherwise, that:

·       has led or may lead to a restriction on practice; or

·       has led to an adverse finding for the medical practitioner, or forms part of an ongoing investigation.

4.         Be a financial RACGP member from the time of joining the PEP, throughout their participation in the PEP and at the point of exam enrolment.

Benefits of participating in the PEP 

-            You have the ability to access A1 Medicare Rebates (entitles the patient to 100% of the Medicare rebate) with a PEP provider number.

-            PEP is a personalized program where you can focus on study areas you’d like to develop. You will be provided ongoing support from mentors and online learning units to expand your skills in Australian general practice, the PEP supports your professional development as you work towards gaining Fellowship.

-            Be mentored by a specialist GP and meet like-minded colleagues though the RACGP’s National Faculty of GPs in Training.

PEP Participant Fees for 2021

The cost of the program for eligible participants is co-funded by the Commonwealth Government under the Department of Health’s Stronger Rural Health Strategy.

PEP fees do not cover RACGP Fellowship exam costs.

Steps to Gain Fellowship

1.        Find out if you’re eligible and apply for the PEP. Refer application dates via RACGP website.  

2.        Enrol in the Practice Experience Program Entry Assessment (PEPEA). If you are an eligible candidate, you’ll be advised via email on how to enrol and pay for PEPEA.

3.        Accept your offer. Once you pass the PEPEA, you will be offered a place to start on the PEP.          

4.        Participate in PEP. Apply for a PEP provider number to unlock A1 Medicare rebates and undertake Initial Core Skills Analysis (ICSA) in your first and last term of the program.

5.        Complete the General Practice Experience (GPS) assessment before applying for RACGP Fellowship exams.

6.        Upon completing the PEP, sit for the fellowship exam. There are three Fellowship exams:

1)       Applied Knowledge Test (AKT)

2)       Key Feature Problem (KFP)

3)       Clinical Examination, which depending on the time of sitting, is the Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE), Remote Clinical Exam (RCE) or Clinical Competency Exam (CCE).

7.        Attain the fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP)

If you want to have a discussion on the PEP Pathway or any other fellowship pathway, reach out to Medfuture via feed@medfuture.com.au and we would guide you through. If you’d prefer, email your contact details so we can get in touch with you.

Useful resources:

https://www.racgp.org.au/education/imgs/fellowship-pathways/fellowship-programs-for-imgs/practice-experience-program/practice-experience-program-standard-stream/about-the-pep

https://www.racgp.org.au/education/imgs/fellowship-pathways/fellowship-programs-for-imgs/practice-experience-program/practice-experience-program-specialist-stream/about-the-program

https://www.racgp.org.au/education/imgs/fellowship-pathways/fellowship-programs-for-imgs/practice-experience-program/practice-experience-program-exam-preparation-term

https://www.racgp.org.au/education/imgs/fellowship-pathways/fellowship-programs-for-imgs/practice-experience-program