Sometimes life or circumstances outside training can take priority. If you need to step away for more than 8 consecutive weeks, you may need to formally interrupt or withdraw from training.

Interrupting your training

Interrupted training means taking an absence from your training rotations for more than 8 weeks consecutively in a training year. This includes parental leave (maternity, paternity, adoptive leave, whāngai, or pregnancy loss).

Here's what you need to know if you're planning to interrupt your training:

• register your period of interruption with the RACP before you begin your interrupted training, if possible
• trainees can interrupt training as many times and for as long as needed, within the allowed time for completion
• training periods undertaken during interruptions aren't eligible for certification unless it's been approved in advance
• trainees can take parental leave at any time

Application forms and process

Basic Training

PREP 

For trainees who started basic training before 2025, download the Basic Training Interruption form.

Download application form (DOC)  

Advanced Training

PREP

For trainees who started in 2023 or earlier in a Wave 1 specialty or any other training program, download the Interruption Training form.

Download application form (DOC)

New Curriculum 

For trainees starting from 2024 in a Wave 1 specialty, submit your interruption rotation plan under ‘Training Plan’ in the Training Management Portal.

Go to TMP

Return to Training Pathway

After a continuous interruption of training for more than:

• 12 months – trainees who feel that they would benefit from extra support are recommended to work with their DPE/Supervisor to complete a Return to Training Plan
• 24 months – trainees are required to complete a Return to Training Plan with their DPE/Supervisor and get it approved by the training committee

Learn more about the Return to Training Pathway and how to start the process.

Continuing Professional Development requirements

From January 2024, all trainees based in Australia must follow the updated Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guidelines set by the Medical Board of Australia (MBA).

If you're currently training with the College, your training will meet the new CPD requirements. We’ll take care of the admin and reporting for you.

If you interrupt your training for 6 months or more and don't meet the MBA exemption criteria, you must nominate a CPD Home to continue to meet the CPD requirements.

Exemptions apply for parental or carer leave, serious illness, or other approved circumstances. See the MBA Registration Standards for more information.

To use MyCPD during your interruption, you can nominate the RACP as your CPD Home for a small fee.

Learn more about The RACP CPD Home and the 2025 MyCPD Framework.

Withdrawing from Training

Deciding to withdraw from training is a significant step, and we recognise it’s not always an easy one. If you’ve made this decision, you’ll need to complete and submit the withdrawal form.

Basic Training

Use this form if you're a Basic Trainee who wishes to withdraw completely from the Basic Training program.

Download BT form (DOC)

Advanced Training

Use this form if you wish to withdraw from a particular specialty training program or withdraw completely from Advanced Training.