Prevocational experiences

Test drive a career in general practice

To get a real look at general practice it’s necessary for an intern or junior doctor to step out of the hospital acute care environment into the primary care environment.

Here is a way to test drive general practice as a career option, with the advantage of your salary and superannuation still being paid. Plus, funding for educational resources, travel and accommodation may also be included. There are 280 opportunities each year in the PGPPP program.

While the Rural GP Temporary Placement Scheme gives doctors enrolled in GP training the opportunity to experience rural practice while doing their compulsory hospital training.




increasing skills & confidence

DR LIZZIE ELLIOTT

‘It has reinforced my desire to pursue general practice, providing a refreshing view of medicine outside the hospital environment.’

The Prevocational General Practice Placements Program

You’ve probably changed quite a lot since you did your general practice placements as a medical student. What you will get from a PGPPP placement is different too.

  • Real life experience in general practice over and above that of undergraduate training
  • Direct patient contact in a range of primary care settings such as general practice, Aboriginal Medical Services, Drug and Alcohol Services and community based facilities
  • Confidence and independence to take into future training and work environments
  • Work in general practice in a range of outer metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas.

To be eligible for PGPPP you can be an intern, international medical graduate or junior doctor who is not enrolled in another specialty program. However, there is some flexibility possible in eligibility to participate in the program.

Your medical education unit or clinical training director will have information on the program.  Or seek information from the Regional Training Providers (RTPs) who deliver the program and General Practice Education and Training (GPET) which manages PGPPP.

GPET PGPPP contacts
RTP contacts

discovering rural skill levels and knowledge sharing

DR ERIN HARTEN

‘I feel privileged to have spent a weekend getting to know a group of people all working towards the same goal: To provide the best possible level of health care to Australian people no matter where they live.’


Rural GP Temporary Placement Scheme

This program, also referred to as the Rural Locum Relief Program, allows permanent resident doctors to work as GPs in rural and remote areas while they are working towards their GP fellowship. The scheme enables them to have temporary access to the Medicare Benefits Scheme and attract rebates when working in eligible locations. Rural Workforce Agencies can enrol doctors on the program. Contact Rural Health Workforce Australia for more information, telephone 03 9860 4700.