The Federal Government of Australia has announced a commitment to fund an additional 100 Commonwealth-supported places (CSPs) for medical students at ten universities with a strong focus on general practice. This initiative marks the beginning of an anticipated increase of 150 CSPs, with the allocation of the final 50 expected to be confirmed in early 2024.
The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has expressed strong support for this funding decision. Dr. Michael Wright, President of the RACGP, emphasized the collaborative efforts between the College and the Government to ensure these places are effectively utilized. “Today’s announcement of 100 extra medical places for general practice-focused universities shows that the Government, Education Minister Jason Clare, and Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler are investing in training Australia’s next generation of GPs,” Dr. Wright stated.
This funding initiative is a significant step towards encouraging more medical graduates to enter general practice, an area that has seen increasing demand. Dr. Wright noted that the collaborative identification of universities committed to promoting this pathway is a promising outcome. “It is gratifying to see the work we have undertaken with the Government in identifying which universities will deliver on a commitment to promote medical graduates moving into general practice has come to fruition,” he added.
In addition to the new CSPs, the Federal Government has pledged greater funding to the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program. This program aims to train 2,000 new specialist GPs by 2028. For the second consecutive year, applications for the AGPT Program have exceeded available spots, indicating a robust interest among medical graduates in pursuing careers in general practice.
Dr. Wright remarked, “We’ve worked with the Federal Government and health department to fill all available GP training places, for the second year in a row. It’s an achievement that reflects a government focused on training Australia’s next generation of specialist GPs.” He emphasized the importance of exposing medical students to the rewards of working as a specialist GP throughout their education.
This funding initiative and increased support for training programs signify a concerted effort to address the growing healthcare needs in Australia. As the country faces challenges related to healthcare access and workforce shortages, the commitment to enhance general practice training is a timely and necessary response. The RACGP’s advocacy and collaboration with government officials are pivotal in shaping the future of general practice in Australia.
