General Medicine
Royal Australasian College of Physicians
Competition
High
Qualification
FRACP (General Medicine)
Training duration
3 years Basic Physician Training (BPT) + 3 years Advanced Training in General and Acute Care Medicine = approximately 6 years total
Applications
BPT: state/hospital network selection, applications typically September–November for February start. Advanced Training: register with RACP by 28 February (first half or whole year) or 31 August (second half). Positions at accredited hospitals are applied for directly.
Selection format
BPT selection is hospital-based (structured interview or portfolio review). Advanced Training placement is secured at the hospital level — apply to hospitals offering accredited General and Acute Care Medicine positions.
When to apply
BPT application typically from PGY2. FRACP Written Examination must be passed during BPT; Clinical Examination completed before or during Advanced Training.
Competition
General Medicine has more advanced training positions relative to applicants compared with cardiology or neurology. Competitive at major teaching hospitals but often described as the most accessible of the FRACP subspecialties.
Selection criteria
Clinical experience
Rotations, logbooks, procedures, and exposure
- Broad general medicine rotations — acute and general medicine wards, subspecialty terms
- Emergency medicine exposure — acute unselected admissions volume is important
Rural & regional
Rural, regional, and remote experience
- Rural — at least 3 of the 36 Basic Physician Training months must be completed outside a Level 3 hospital, ideally at a Level 1 hospital or rural secondment site
First Nations
Selection points and pathways for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori applicants
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP.
Academic
Exams, qualifications, courses, and teaching
- FRACP Divisional Written Examination — sat during Basic Training (typically year 1–2)
- FRACP Divisional Clinical Examination — both Divisional exams must be passed to complete Basic Training and become eligible for Advanced Training
- Teaching involvement
Publications & research
Papers, impact factor, audits, and QI
- Research or audit — at least one project
Extracurricular
Leadership and roles beyond clinical work
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP.
Distinction
Prizes, awards, and academic standing
Nothing captured yet — verify with RACP.
Eligibility & application
Prerequisites, referees, interviews, and fees
- Eligibility — all RACP training must be completed within 8 years of commencement under the Progression Through Training Policy
Entry tips
Sourced from Australian medical community discussion. Always verify with RACP.
Recent updates
Re-verified against racp.edu.au: AT structure is 24 months core minimum / 12 months non-core maximum, including 6 months core general medicine, 6 months general-medicine-related, 12 months across two distinct core subspecialties, and a 6-month high-acuity rotation. New curriculum applies to trainees starting from 2026.
RACP new curricula being rolled out across Advanced Training programs. Check racp.edu.au for the transition date for General and Acute Care Medicine.
Indicative only. Check the RACP website for current information.
Official resources
State workforce data
Queensland Health’s medi-nav is the only state health department currently publishing the workforce and selection figures this section shows. We have not verified equivalent data for Australian Capital Territory yet — the selection criteria and requirements above apply Australia-wide regardless of state. See the Queensland figures.
Community discussions
Recent discussion about General Medicine training from Australian doctors.
Search r/ausdocs and r/doctorsofaustraliaRequirements, windows, and criteria change annually. Verify with Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.