2022 review of the NTCER results in positive changes for registrars

As the peak organisations charged with administering the NTCER, GPSA and GPRA have finalised this review as it began – with collaboration, mutual respect, and a positive outlook. Both organisations recognise there is more to be done. We look forward to pressing ahead advocating for increased support and investment in the future of primary health care. 

The main win for both organisations is the relationship forged through the underpinning principles GPRA and GPSA set for this review process in July 2022: 

1.      Models of employment for GP registrars across Australia need to be fair and equitable, delivering working conditions and remuneration that compares with other specialist trainees; 

2.      General practice is a rewarding medical specialty and an attractive vocational pathway for junior and/or pre-vocational doctors; 

3.      GP trainees and GP supervisors are equally desirous of and entitled to a quality training experience; 

4.      GPRA and GPSA, as the recognised national peak bodies representing all GP registrars, GP supervisors and GP training practices, have a critical role in advising all levels of government on all matters of relevance to the GP training sector; 

5.      Appropriate support and funding for GP supervisors and GP training practices is crucial for the sustainability of the nation’s primary health system, which in turn underpins the nation’s wider healthcare system. 

As part of this process, future collaborations between GPSA and GPRA on a variety of projects have been agreed, including the co-development of: 

·   A Fatigue Management Policy; 

·   Employment contract templates; 

·   Resources to assist practice managers overseeing the employment of GP or RG registrars; 

·   FAQs for registrars and supervisors; 

·   A shared benchmarking process to inform future biennial NTCER reviews. 

Recognising the need to minimise the impact on training practices in the current climate, agreement has been reached to stage base rate and administration changes across the next 4 training semesters, leading into the next review period in Semester 2 of 2024. A summary of these changes and their timing is included in the below table: 

IMPLEMENTATION OF CHANGES TO NTCER BY TRAINING SEMESTER 

FY22/23 (2023.1) 

FY23/24 (2023.2) 

FY24/25 (2024.2) 

Educational release (clause 9.2) 

Where GPT3s have mandated workshop requirements during standardly rostered hours, these will be included as paid time by practice (unless on a weekend or after hours) 

3% increase to minimum base rate (per current Remuneration Schedule) on top of indexation 

1% increase to minimum base rate on top of indexation 

Restrictive covenant (clause 17) 

Clause to be removed from NTCER and replaced with non-solicitation of patient and staff 

Administration time (clause 9.3) 

Increase to scheduled 30 mins per session (half day) to max 5 hours per week 

Next biennial review 

To be carried out under mutually agreed process and timeframe in 2024.2, with view to conclusion before recruitment for training placements commences (i.e. by September 2024 for 2025.1) 

Parity for part-time registrars re educational release (clause 9.2) 

Training practices to provide part-time GP trainees educational release in parity with full-time GP trainees 

Redrafted “Preamble” and “About the Agreement” 

Updated to reflect staging of changes and new framework for biennial review. Redrafting of the NTCER is already underway and will be communicated with training practices no later than Monday 30 January, along with supplementary resources to help practice managers with any change to administration for incoming registrars commencing 6 February 2023.