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Educational & Professional Development > PREP Basic Training > FAQs
 

FAQs


What is the duration of the basic physician training program?

Basic training consists of 36 months full time training or its equivalent. Evidence of satisfactory performance throughout the 36 months is necessary along with success in the Written and Clinical Examinations for completion of basic training.

What are the entry requirements into basic physician training?

Trainees may enter the training program at any time after completion of the first postgraduate year (PGY) also known as the intern, house officer, or pre-registration year, and have obtained an appropriate training position in a hospital accredited by the College for basic training.  This is earliest possible entry into basic training. The Director of Physician Education (DPE) or the Director of Paediatric Education (DPE) is responsible for overseeing the basic training program and considering the approval of basic training rotations. You must therefore discuss whether your position is relevant for basic training with the DPE prior to registering with the College.

How do I apply to join the basic training program?

You need to be employed by a College-accredited teaching hospital in order to be able to join the training program. You must discuss the suitability of your position for basic physician training with the Director of Physician Education (DPE) or Director of Paediatric Education (DPE) within the accredited hospital before completing the online application.

What are the guidelines for joining the basic physician training program?

The Basic Training Requirements are outlined in the College Physician training handbook including what is suitable for core and non-core components. Please refer to the handbook that is relevant to you. If you are unsure, please ask the basic training team at basic_training@racp.edu.au

To view the handbook, click here

Which hospital do I need to be working at to join the basic physician training program?

Lists of hospitals accredited for basic training can be found at:

How do I know whether I am in the ‘new' PREP Basic Training Program or the ‘old' training program?

Generally, trainees who began their first year of basic training from 1 January 2008 are in the ‘new' training program, known as the (Physician Readiness for Expert Practice) PREP Program.  Or if you first registered with the College’s program during 2010, then you will be under the PREP program  Trainees who started basic training in Australia before the above date (and first registered with the College prior to 2010) are in the old training program.

The minimum assessment requirements for PREP can be found on the PREP webpages – click here

How do I find a registrar position in Australia?

You will need to enquire directly with hospitals or area health services.  Some states have a centralised selection process.  The College is not involved with the recruitment of basic trainees.

Which Director of Physician Education (DPE) or Director of Paediatric Education (DPE) should approve my training?

The DPE within your employing (in most cases this is primary) hospital is required to approve all rotations for basic physician training.

Sometimes you will be rotated out to other accredited hospitals (eg. L2TH, L1TH), and the DPE at that site can approve your training for those rotations.

Lists of DPEs can be found at:·        

If there isn't a DPE at your employing hospital, it's likely that this hospital is not accredited for basic physician training.

How do I apply to have previous overseas training counted towards basic training?

You must first be a registered trainee of the College to apply for Recognition of your previous overseas training. Once registered, you should send two copies of the following documentation, together with a copy of your completed online registration form, to the address below:·        

  • a covering letter requesting assessment of overseas training addressed to the Division Education Committee;
  • evidence that you have secured employment at an accredited hospital in Australia (original or certified copy);
  • a copy of your curriculum vitae;
  • original or certified copies of original letters from each overseas hospital at which you worked, confirming the type of position, if it was a supervised training position, if it was satisfactorily completed, dates and nature (i.e. subspecialty) of the terms and if the hospitals are accredited for physician training by the appropriate institution in that particular country; and
  • Copies of your qualification(s) certified by a Justice of the Peace in Australia as being a true copy of the original;
  • Certified copy of your AMC Certificate or letters from the AMC.
Mailing address:
Basic Training
Education Deanery
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians
145 Macquarie Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000

IMPORTANT NOTE:

If you are hoping to be considered eligible to attempt the FRACP Examinations, you will need to lodge your application (complete with all required documentation) with the College before 1 September in the year prior to the year you would like to attempt the Examinations. If it is submitted after this date, it will not be assessed until the following year.

How much overseas training time can be accepted?

Up to two years overseas training can be accepted towards basic training, if approved by the relevant education committee (AMDEC or PDEC). Trainees need to do at least one of the three years of basic training in Australia or New Zealand.

I have already done several years of physician training overseas, but I am not yet recognised as a specialist in my home country. Can I join the RACP training program as an advanced trainee?

Trainees must register with the RACP training program as a basic trainee initially. It is not possible to enter directly into advanced training.

I am a recognised specialist in my home country and I want to work as a specialist in Australia. Is there another option besides joining the RACP training program?

If you are already recognised as a specialist overseas you may be eligible to apply for assessment as an Overseas Trained Physician/Paediatrician (OTP) to gain specialist registration in Australia and admission to Fellowship of the College. Please email OTP@racp.edu.au

I am a recognised specialist in my home country and I want to come to Australia to obtain further postgraduate training in subspecialty other than the one in which I qualified. Do I have to go back to basic physician training in Australia?

It is possible that you may not have to go back to basic training. If you seek assessment as an Overseas Trained Physician/Paediatrician (OTP) and are successful in gaining admission to Fellowship of the College, you may be eligible to enter advanced physician training in Australia as a post-Fellowship trainee. For more information about post-Fellowship training please see the following web pages: 

Do I have to be a permanent resident of Australia to join the training program?

Currently the College doesn't have any requirements in regard to trainees' residency status.

Is there an exam for entry into the physician training program?

There is no entry exam for the RACP training program.

Do I have to pass the Australian Medical Council (AMC) Exams before joining the training program?

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who are planning to apply for College registration as a basic trainee will be required to pass the Australian Medical Council (AMC) examination as the result of the College's International Medical Graduate Policy taking effect from 2010. Whilst the College does not require non-IMG trainees to have passed the AMC examination, it is strongly recommended. Passing the AMC exam may be a requirement of the state or territory medical board or an employing hospital. You should check with these institutions about their requirements.

For more information please refer to the following page of the AMC WEBSITE.

How much does physician training cost?

A list of current training fees is available on our website, please click here 

Which terms count as core and which as non-core?

You should refer to the College Handbook “Requirements for Physician Training”  that was in place at the time you started your first year of physician training.

You should also discuss the above guidelines with your DPE if you aren’t sure if you will be able to meet the core requirements for basic training.

Can I count terms like radiation oncology, surgery, ophthalmology, and obstetrics towards basic training?

You can if your DPE approves it as suitable training, but only a maximum of 3 months non-core training in total can be considered by the College.

As a trainee of the Basic Physician training program how much leave can I take throughout the program?

Basic trainees are entitled to 8 weeks of leave per year during one full-time year of training. 

If you intend taking more than two months of leave during the year you must submit an “Annual Application of Interruption of training” to the College to maintain your registration.

I'm taking a break from physician training for more than two months. How do I tell the College and what will happen to my registration?

You need to submit an “Annual Application for Interruption of Training” form that can be downloaded HERE .  You can choose between active interruption (for a small fee) which means you will continue to receive College publications, or inactive interruption, which is free of charge and you will cease to receive publications.

If you interrupt your training for more than two years, you may be required to undertake additional training time. Please see the College Handbook for more information.

  

Can I have exemption from part or all of the FRACP Exams if I have passed the MRCP or MRCPCH Exams?

It is not possible to have exemption from the FRACP Examinations. Trainees who have passed the MRCP or MRCPCH Exams still need to pass the FRACP Written and Clinical Examinations.

When will I be eligible to sit for the FRACP Written Exam?

Basic trainees are eligible to apply to sit for the Written Examination if:

  • they are currently registered with the College’s basic training program;
  • they will have completed at least the equivalent of 24 months of satisfactory full time basic training by the end of the clinical year before the year the Written Examination is held;
  • their training was completed in accordance with the requirements for basic training as determined by the relevant supervising committee either AMDEC or PDEC. The core requirements of basic training do not necessarily have to be completed before applying to sit for the examination.

 When will the next FRACP Written Exam be held?

The Written Exam is held annually at the beginning of March. Please click HERE for specific dates.  

Who should I contact for more information about basic physician training?

The Basic Training Unit at the College is happy to help you throughout your time as a basic trainee:

Phone:

  •        +61 2 8247 6289
  •        +61 2 8247 6297
  •        +61 2 8247 6283
  •        +61 2 8247 6220

Email:         

Fax: 

  • +61 2 9256 9698

Postal address: Basic Training

Education Deanery
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians
145 Macquarie Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000

 


 

 
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