Ready to explore the possibilities of rural generalism?
ACRRM Fellowship is a four-year General Practitioner (GP) training program with the rural context embedded in the curriculum from day one.
As the home of rural generalism, ACRRM delivers a program providing a broad range of knowledge and skills to produce safe, confident and independent Rural Generalists who provide their communities with excellent healthcare. We achieve this through the breadth and depth of our competency-based, skills-focused curriculum, developed by Rural Generalists for Rural Generalists.
Deepen your knowledge and specialise in your area of interest, including anaesthetics, emergency medicine, mental health, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, surgery, palliative care, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and more.
Discover ACRRM Fellowship below.
Why choose ACRRM?
Extended scope of practice
Build a broader set of skills to confidently support and promote the health and wellbeing of rural and remote communities. Specialise in your area of interest with Advanced Specialised Training.
Rural from day one
ACRRM is the professional home of Rural Generalist Medicine. The rural context underpins every aspect of the curriculum from day one.
ACRRM support
Your Regional Training Network provides direct support throughout your Fellowship journey. You will have access to highly experienced and locally based supervisors, medical educators, training officers, registrar liaison officers, and more.
Globally recognised qualification
ACRRM Fellowship is your passport to work all over the world with FACRRMs currently working across all continents in a diverse range of roles.
“ACRRM was the natural choice for the highest standard of Rural Generalist training. The pathway is wholly tailored to rural practice but flexible enough to adapt to changing training needs. It is a rigorous training program but one which is directed from the start at producing world-class Rural Generalists.”
Dr Jackson Blythe
RG Webinar Series
Are you considering a dynamic career as a Rural Generalist (RG)? Watch the recordings from the RG Webinar Series and find out everything you need to know about becoming an RG with ACRRM.
What's involved?
Your journey to Fellowship is personalised for you; drawing on your previous experience and future aspirations.
Training and education
Fellowship training happens on the job in clinics and hospitals at an ACRRM accredited training post, and education activities occur outside of the workplace and cover key areas of the Rural Generalist curriculum.
Assessment
Combining workplace-based activities, projects and standardised assessments, the program, is designed to be completed progressively throughout your training and is backed by a range of preparation activities.
Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
ACRRM has the country’s highest percentage enrolment of First Nation registrars and is proud of the College’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rural Generalists who provide high quality healthcare where it is most needed.
Registrars may request to undertake training on Country and are supported by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural mentors and cultural educators in addition to the dedicated regional training support teams. Further to this, ACRRM’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Member Group provides peer support and represents members across all levels of College governance.
ACRRM Fellows and training staff participate in Indigenous General Practice Registrars Network (IGPRN) workshops, providing them with the knowledge and skills to support registrars preparing for ACRRM assessments.
ACRRM values its strong links with the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) and other key First Nations professional bodies, that provide wrap-around support and advocacy for all members.
Where you can train
Registrars can train in regional, rural and remote Australia at an ACRRM accredited training post.
Training posts can be general practices, generalist hospitals, Aboriginal Medical Services or retrieval services.
From the turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef to the Red Centre's glowing Uluru, explore the best of Australia when you train with ACRRM.
Funding options
Rural generalism is recognised as an important field of medicine to support the healthcare of rural and remote communities. Through Federal Government funding, eligible doctors can receive regular payments to support the training and education requirements of ACRRM Fellowship.
You can compare funding options here or explore your options below.
Australian General Practice Training (AGPT)
In addition to funded training and education, AGPT provides payment to subsidise travel and accommodation for attending mandatory education requirements and standardised payments through the National Consistent Payment Framework, and access to apply for Flexible Funds and Aboriginal Medical Services salary support.
Find out more
Rural Generalist Training Scheme (RGTS)
In addition to funded training and education, RGTS provides standardised payments through the RGTS Payment Fund and access to relocation payment.
Find out more
Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS)
RVTS is fully funded option for medical practitioners in remote and isolated communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout Australia. Application and selection is managed by RVTS.
Find out more
Fellowship training and education is self-funded. For those who are not eligible for Commonwealth funding.
Find out more
If you are an overseas-trained doctor, have extensive experience as a GP, or hold recognised Canadian or New Zealand specialist qualifications, you could achieve Fellowship with ACRRM through an alternative avenue.
Rural Experienced Entry to Fellowship (REEF)
If you hold an Australian general practice qualification and have extensive rural or remote experience, you may be eligible for Rural Experienced Entry to Fellowship through the Independent Pathway.
Find out more
Specialist Pathway
If you are an International Medical Graduate (IMG) and hold recognised overseas general practice qualifications, you may be eligible to embark on our Specialist Pathway to obtain Fellowship of ACRRM.
Find out more
Incentives are available to assist you in your journey towards becoming a Rural Generalist. Not only can you receive funding to complete your training, but there are also opportunities to reduce your Higher Education Loan Payment (HELP) debt, supported rural placements, and several state specific government incentives.
What is the application process?
The ACRRM Fellowship application and selection process is all online and occurs four times a year. This structure enables candidates to apply for a training position with ACRRM at any time.
To ensure we put the right doctors in the right places, you will be asked to do a written suitability assessment and a panel-style interview to secure your position on the program.
Click through for more information on the process and suitability criteria.
Got a question about Fellowship?
You can call us on 1800 223 226 or contact the membership engagement team.
Meet ACRRM registrars
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from registrars about where ACRRM can take you.
