The RACGP (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners) and ACRRM (Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine) are the two colleges accredited to deliver general practice training in Australia. RACGP offers Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP) through a minimum three-year training program suited to both metropolitan and rural general practice. ACRRM offers Fellowship of ACRRM (FACRRM) through a minimum four-year training program designed specifically for rural and remote medicine, with a broader procedural scope including emergency, obstetrics, anaesthetics, and surgery. Both fellowships are recognised by the Medical Board of Australia for specialist registration as a general practitioner. The key differences lie in training length, exam structure, procedural requirements, and scope of practice. RACGP requires 150 hours of CPD per triennium. ACRRM requires 50 hours per year. Dual fellowship is possible and increasingly common among rural GPs.
That is the short version. This guide unpacks each pathway in detail so you can make an informed decision about which college is right for your career.
What are the RACGP and ACRRM?
Both colleges exist to train, assess, and support general practitioners in Australia. They operate under the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program, funded by the Australian Government, and both are accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC).
RACGP — Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
The RACGP is the largest medical college in Australia, representing more than 40,000 members. It was established in 1958 and is the primary professional body for general practice across all settings — metropolitan, regional, and rural.
The RACGP sets the standards for general practice training, accredits training posts, administers fellowship examinations, and manages the CPD program for its fellows. It also publishes clinical guidelines, accredits general practices through AGPAL and QPA, and advocates for the profession at a policy level.
RACGP training produces generalist GPs who can work across the full spectrum of primary care. The college does offer a rural pathway, but its core training model is designed to serve the breadth of Australian general practice, including metropolitan and suburban settings.
ACRRM — Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
ACRRM was established in 1997 in response to the distinct training needs of doctors working in rural and remote Australia. It gained AMC accreditation in 2007 and has since grown to represent more than 5,000 fellows and registrars.
ACRRM training is purpose-built for the realities of rural practice: isolation from specialist services, broader procedural demands, emergency presentations without backup, and the need to manage conditions that metropolitan GPs would refer on. ACRRM fellows are trained to operate with a wider scope of practice, including procedural skills in emergency medicine, anaesthetics, obstetrics, and surgical procedures.
The college is headquartered in Brisbane but its focus is squarely on rural, remote, and Indigenous health contexts.
Training pathway comparison
The differences between the two colleges become clearest when you look at the structure of each training program. Here is a side-by-side comparison of the key elements.
| Feature | RACGP (FRACGP) | ACRRM (FACRRM) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum training length | 3 years (can extend to 4 with Rural Pathway) | 4 years |
| Entry requirement | Completion of internship + at least 1 year postgraduate experience | Completion of internship + at least 1 year postgraduate experience |
| Training program | AGPT or independent pathway | AGPT or independent pathway |
| Fellowship type | FRACGP — Fellowship of RACGP | FACRRM — Fellowship of ACRRM |
| Specialist registration | General practitioner | General practitioner |
| Training setting | Metropolitan, regional, or rural | Primarily rural and remote (minimum 2 years in rural location) |
| Procedural skills | Not mandatory (procedural posts available but optional) | Mandatory — emergency, anaesthetics, obstetrics, or surgery (Advanced Specialised Training) |
| Exam structure | AKT + KFP + OSCE | MCQ + StAMPS (Structured Assessment using Multiple Patient Scenarios) |
| Number of exams | 3 assessments | 2 main assessments + workplace-based assessments |
| Rural training requirement | Optional (12 months rural under RACGP Rural Pathway) | Core requirement (minimum 24 months in MM 3–7 location) |
| CPD requirement | 150 hours per triennium (3-year cycle) | 50 hours per year |
| CPD framework | Three categories: educational activities, reviewing performance, measuring outcomes | PD Program with mandatory and elective components |
| Scope of practice | Generalist primary care | Extended rural generalist — primary care + procedural disciplines |
Both pathways lead to identical specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia. The legal scope of practice is the same. The practical difference is that ACRRM training deliberately builds competence in procedural and emergency care that RACGP training leaves as optional.
Training structure: RACGP
RACGP training under the AGPT program runs for a minimum of three years full-time equivalent. The program is structured as follows:
Year 1 — General practice term 1
Registrars are placed in an accredited training practice under the supervision of a fellow GP. This is the foundation year, focusing on core general practice skills: consultation technique, clinical reasoning, chronic disease management, preventive health, mental health, and paediatrics.
Year 2 — Hospital and extended skills terms
Registrars complete terms in hospital settings or extended skill posts. Common rotations include emergency medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, mental health, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. The specific rotations depend on the registrar's training plan and the training organisation.
Year 3 — General practice term 2
Registrars return to general practice for their final year, working with increasing independence. This year focuses on consolidation, complex care, and preparation for fellowship exams.
RACGP Rural Pathway
The RACGP offers a Rural Generalist Fellowship through its rural pathway. This extends training to four years and includes at least 12 months in a rural location (MM 3–7 on the Modified Monash Model). Registrars on this pathway also complete an Advanced Rural Skills Training (ARST) post in a discipline such as emergency medicine, Aboriginal health, mental health, or obstetrics.
Completing the rural pathway results in the same FRACGP fellowship but with additional rural skills credentials.
RACGP exams
RACGP fellowship assessment comprises three components:
- AKT (Applied Knowledge Test): A multiple-choice exam testing clinical knowledge across the full scope of general practice. Held twice per year.
- KFP (Key Feature Problem): A written exam presenting clinical scenarios that test clinical decision-making at critical decision points. Held twice per year.
- OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination): A face-to-face clinical exam with simulated patients, testing consultation skills, examination technique, and clinical reasoning across multiple stations.
All three must be passed to be eligible for fellowship.
Training structure: ACRRM
ACRRM training runs for a minimum of four years full-time equivalent. The program is designed around the realities of practising in locations where the nearest specialist or hospital may be hours away.
Core generalist training (CGT) — 2 years
The first two years of ACRRM training focus on core general practice competencies. Registrars are placed in accredited rural or remote practices and must complete a minimum of 12 months in a rural location (MM 3–7). This phase covers primary care, chronic disease, mental health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, preventive care, and emergency presentations.
Advanced Specialised Training (AST) — 1 year
This is the distinguishing feature of ACRRM training. All registrars must complete at least 12 months of Advanced Specialised Training in one of the following disciplines:
- Emergency medicine — managing acute presentations in a rural emergency department
- Anaesthetics — providing anaesthetic services in a rural hospital setting
- Obstetrics — managing pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care in a rural context
- Surgery — performing minor and intermediate surgical procedures
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health — working in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
- Mental health — providing advanced mental health care in a rural setting
- Paediatrics — managing childhood illness and developmental concerns
- Adult internal medicine — advanced medical management of complex conditions
Registrars can complete AST in more than one discipline if they extend their training. Many rural GPs build competencies across emergency, obstetrics, and anaesthetics to meet the demands of their community.
Rural and remote training — 1 year
The final year of ACRRM training must be completed in a rural or remote location. Registrars work with increasing autonomy, managing the full breadth of presentations that come through the door. This year consolidates the procedural and generalist skills developed in CGT and AST.
ACRRM minimum rural requirement
ACRRM mandates a minimum of 24 months of training in a MM 3–7 location across the four-year program. In practice, most ACRRM registrars spend significantly more time in rural settings than this minimum. The college's philosophy is that rural medicine is best learned in the context where it will be practised.
ACRRM exams
ACRRM fellowship assessment includes:
- MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions): A knowledge-based exam covering rural generalist practice. Tests clinical knowledge across the ACRRM curriculum.
- StAMPS (Structured Assessment using Multiple Patient Scenarios): An oral assessment conducted via video conference. Registrars are presented with clinical scenarios and assessed on their clinical reasoning, management plans, and communication skills. StAMPS replaces the traditional OSCE and is designed to assess the kind of decision-making required in rural practice where immediate specialist consultation is not available.
In addition to these formal exams, ACRRM uses workplace-based assessments including mini-CEX (Clinical Evaluation Exercise), CBD (Case-Based Discussion), and MSF (Multi-Source Feedback) throughout training.
Who should choose RACGP?
RACGP is the right choice if:
- You plan to work primarily in metropolitan or suburban general practice
- You want a broad generalist training without mandatory procedural requirements
- You prefer a three-year training pathway (shorter time to fellowship)
- You are interested in general practice but not necessarily procedural medicine
- You want flexibility to work across metropolitan and regional settings
- You want to be part of the largest GP college in Australia with the broadest network of training posts
RACGP training produces excellent generalist GPs who manage the full spectrum of primary care. The majority of Australian GPs hold FRACGP, and the fellowship is well-recognised across all practice settings.
If you do want rural experience within RACGP, the rural pathway and ARST posts provide structured exposure without committing to the full four-year ACRRM program.
Who should choose ACRRM?
ACRRM is the right choice if:
- You want to work in rural or remote Australia long-term
- You want formal training in procedural skills (emergency, anaesthetics, obstetrics, surgery)
- You want to be a rural generalist — capable of managing presentations that metropolitan GPs would refer to specialists
- You are drawn to the breadth and independence of rural practice
- You want to work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health settings
- You want your training to be structured around the clinical reality of rural and remote medicine
ACRRM fellows are trained to operate in environments where they may be the only doctor. This means managing trauma, performing emergency caesarean sections, administering anaesthetics, and stabilising critically unwell patients for retrieval — alongside routine general practice.
If you are uncertain about rural medicine, ACRRM training does require a significant commitment to rural placement. The minimum 24 months in a MM 3–7 location is non-negotiable.
Can you do both? Dual fellowship
Yes. Dual fellowship — holding both FRACGP and FACRRM — is possible and increasingly common among rural GPs.
Some registrars complete RACGP training first and then undertake additional training and assessment through ACRRM to achieve FACRRM. Others do the reverse. The pathways are not identical, so holding one fellowship does not automatically grant the other. You will need to meet the training and assessment requirements of both colleges, though there is some recognition of prior learning.
Dual fellowship is particularly valuable for rural GPs who want the broadest possible recognition and the most extensive scope of practice. It also provides flexibility if you move between rural and metropolitan settings over your career.
Both colleges have processes for recognising prior learning and clinical experience when assessing eligibility for their respective fellowships. If you hold one fellowship and are considering the other, contact the relevant college directly to discuss your pathway.
CPD requirements compared
Once you achieve fellowship, both colleges require ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain your registration and college membership. The requirements differ in structure.
RACGP CPD
The RACGP CPD program aligns with the Medical Board of Australia's strengthened CPD framework, which has been in effect since 1 January 2023. Key requirements:
- 150 hours per triennium (three-year cycle), averaging 50 hours per year
- Must be spread across three mandatory categories:
- Reviewing performance — minimum 25 hours per triennium (clinical audit, peer review, multi-source feedback)
- Educational activities — minimum 12.5 hours per triennium (courses, conferences, workshops, online learning)
- Measuring outcomes — minimum 12.5 hours per triennium (patient outcome reviews, quality improvement projects)
- Remaining hours can be allocated across categories as you choose
- Must complete a CPD plan at the start of each year and a CPD review at the end
- Must maintain a CPD portfolio and be prepared for audit
- CPD activities must be relevant to your scope of practice
For a comprehensive breakdown of medical practitioner CPD requirements, see our complete guide to AHPRA CPD requirements for 2026.
ACRRM CPD
The ACRRM Professional Development Program (PD Program) is the college's accredited CPD home. Key requirements:
- 50 hours per year (calendar year cycle)
- Must include a mix of:
- Mandatory activities — cultural safety training, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and other college-specified requirements
- Elective activities — chosen based on your practice context and professional development needs
- Activities must be relevant to your scope of practice, with particular emphasis on maintaining procedural competence if you perform procedures
- Must complete a Professional Development Plan annually
- Workplace-based activities, clinical audits, peer review, and educational activities all count
- Additional requirements apply if you hold Advanced Specialised Training credentials — you must demonstrate ongoing competence in those disciplines
Both colleges' CPD programs satisfy the Medical Board of Australia's requirements. If you hold dual fellowship, you can use one college as your CPD home, though you should confirm with both colleges how your CPD activities will be recognised.
How AHCRA supports GPs on both pathways
Whether you train through RACGP, ACRRM, or both, your CPD and compliance obligations begin at fellowship and continue throughout your career. AHCRA helps you stay on top of them.
CPD tracking
AHCRA's CPD tracking tools let you log activities against the specific framework your college uses — whether that is the RACGP three-category model or the ACRRM PD Program structure. You can track your hours, monitor progress against annual and triennial targets, and generate reports for audit purposes.
Tracking CPD across two colleges with different cycle lengths and category structures is exactly the kind of administrative burden that leads to compliance gaps. AHCRA consolidates it into a single view.
Compliance-accredited courses
AHCRA offers a range of compliance and professional development courses that count toward your CPD requirements with both colleges. These include:
- Infection prevention and control
- Privacy and confidentiality in healthcare
- Cultural safety
- Work health and safety
- Medicare billing compliance
- Mandatory reporting obligations
- Clinical governance
All courses are designed for Australian healthcare professionals and align with the regulatory frameworks that GPs must comply with regardless of which college they belong to.
Practice accreditation support
If you are a practice owner or manager preparing for RACGP accreditation, AHCRA provides tools for policy management, staff credentialing, and audit preparation. For a full rundown of what accreditation involves, see our RACGP accreditation checklist for 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is FRACGP or FACRRM better?
Neither is objectively better. They lead to the same specialist registration as a general practitioner with the Medical Board of Australia. FRACGP suits GPs who plan to practise in metropolitan or mixed settings with a generalist scope. FACRRM suits GPs who plan to practise in rural or remote settings and want formal procedural training. The right choice depends on where you want to work and the scope of practice you want to build.
Can I switch from RACGP to ACRRM during training?
It is possible to transfer between programs, but the process is not automatic. You will need to apply to the new college and have your prior training assessed for recognition. Some training time and assessments may be credited, but you may need to complete additional requirements — particularly ACRRM's mandatory procedural training and rural placement if transferring from RACGP. Contact the college you wish to transfer to for a formal assessment of your position.
Do employers prefer one fellowship over the other?
In metropolitan practice, FRACGP is the standard credential and is universally accepted. In rural and remote settings, FACRRM is often preferred because it indicates specific training for the demands of rural practice, including procedural competence. Many rural hospitals and Aboriginal Medical Services actively recruit ACRRM fellows. In practice, both fellowships are accepted for GP positions across Australia, and many employers value dual fellowship holders highly.
How long does it take to become a GP through each pathway?
After completing a medical degree (4–6 years) and internship (1 year), RACGP training takes a minimum of 3 years (4 years with the rural pathway) and ACRRM training takes a minimum of 4 years. Total time from starting medical school to fellowship is approximately 10–13 years depending on the pathway and whether training is completed full-time.
What are the exam pass rates for each college?
Both colleges publish exam results annually. Pass rates vary by sitting and assessment type. Historically, the RACGP AKT and KFP have pass rates in the range of 70–85%, while the OSCE pass rate tends to be lower. ACRRM's StAMPS pass rates are generally comparable. Neither exam is considered easy, and both colleges provide preparation resources, study groups, and practice assessments for registrars. The best preparation strategy is quality clinical experience in a well-supervised training post.
Making your decision
The choice between RACGP and ACRRM is not a question of prestige or quality — both colleges produce excellent GPs. It is a question of fit.
If you want to practise general medicine in a city or suburban setting, RACGP is the natural choice. If you want to practise in a rural town where you may be managing emergencies, delivering babies, and providing anaesthetics alongside routine general practice, ACRRM prepares you specifically for that reality.
If you are not sure, talk to GPs who hold each fellowship. Spend time in rural practice during your junior doctor years. And remember that dual fellowship remains an option if your career takes you in both directions.
Whatever pathway you choose, your CPD and compliance obligations will be a constant. AHCRA is here to make that part straightforward so you can focus on the work that matters — looking after your patients.
Registered Nurse & Healthcare Compliance Professional
Justine Coupland is a registered nurse and healthcare compliance professional at AHCRA, with a background in practice management, healthcare IT, and regulatory compliance across Australia.