RACGP Reports Progress in GP Training and Healthcare Advocacy
28 Oct 2026
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has described 2025–26 as an important year for general practice, with progress in workforce development, funding and healthcare advocacy.
The college’s annual report, released this week, highlights work across four areas: Fellowship, GP workforce growth, preparing the profession for the future, and strengthening the role of general practice in the health system.
The RACGP currently has 55,097 members, including 31,534 Fellows and 7,181 GPs in training. Around one-third of members hold qualifications from universities outside Australia, while 18.7% work in rural areas. The college also has 487 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander members.
Applications for the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program rose by 53% in 2025–26. A total of 1,772 registrars accepted places to start training in 2026.
Applications for the Fellowship Support Program rose by 34%, with 440 registrars starting training during the year.
The report links this growth to ongoing efforts to strengthen the GP workforce, including government incentives and improved training conditions, such as study leave and parental leave.
However, applications for the Practice Experience Program – Specialist pathway fell by 34%. The RACGP attributed the decline to the introduction of the Expedited Specialist pathway, which offers another route for eligible internationally qualified doctors.
Overall satisfaction with the RACGP training program reached 93%.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the college had focused on sustainable funding, workforce growth and advocacy during the year.
He said general practice continued to face challenges, including an ageing population, more complex patient needs, policy and regulatory pressures, and gaps in coordination across the health system.
Dr Wright also highlighted the importance of working with governments and policymakers to ensure reforms reflect the needs of GPs and their patients. He said changes to the scope of practice should be guided by patient safety and clinical need, rather than access or convenience alone.
The report recorded an underlying operating surplus of $8.3 million, up from $4.8 million in 2024–25.
According to the RACGP, the result was supported by increased participation in membership, Fellowship examinations and training programs outside the AGPT Program. Cost controls and spending reviews also helped the college manage expenses and reinvest in its programs.
The report highlighted several advocacy outcomes during the year. These included formal recognition of Rural Generalist medicine as a medical specialty, the return of health checks for three-year-old children, expanded RSV vaccination access, the reinstatement of ECG rebates and reforms to ADHD prescribing.
RACGP Chief Executive Officer Georgina van de Water said the achievements reflected the work of the college and its members.
She also highlighted a five-year extension of the AGPT grant, supported by a $751.3 million agreement to fund GP training.
The agreement will support training for the next generation of GPs, with the aim of helping communities across Australia access the healthcare they need.
RACGP Reports Progress in GP Training and Healthcare Advocacy
Source: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), 2025–26 Annual Report.