Journalists wanting to speak to an ACRRM spokesperson are invited to contact Petrina Smith on 0414 820 847 or email.

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (the College) has welcomed today’s landmark announcement by the Commonwealth Government that the College is selecting its own trainees for the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) scheme.

ACRRM President Assoc Prof Ruth Stewart welcomes the move to a college-based selection process.

“Taking responsibility for registrar selection is a key step in building a rural training pipeline,” said Assoc Prof Ruth Stewart.

“ACRRM has a unique mission to train general practitioners who are motivated and specially-skilled to provide the best possible care in rural and remote communities - getting the right doctors with the right skills to the right places.”

“It is fitting that in the College’s 20th anniversary year, we reach a milestone that the College has been calling for since the AGPT’s inception.”

Assoc Professor Stewart said the College is focusing on attracting junior doctors who are excited about a career as a rural or remote medical practitioner.

“We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate our five Cs: Commitment to a career as a rural generalist, Capacity to acquire the right skills to become a FACRRM, Connection with rural communities, a Commitment to meeting their needs, and the Characteristics associated with a successful rural career,” she said.

“ACRRM looks forward to working closely with Regional Training Organisations, registrars and supervisors to achieve its vision of better health for rural and remote communities through access to skilled rural doctors.”

Medical graduates interested in applying for the AGPT can receive personalised application assistance by registering with the College at www.acrrm.org.au.