RACGP Introduces New Registrar Wellbeing Project to Strengthen GP Training Support
12 Dec 2025
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has launched a new initiative aimed at improving the health, safety and overall training experience of GP registrars. The Registrar Wellbeing Project is designed to create supportive learning environments, reduce burnout and help maintain a strong, stable GP workforce.
General practice Registrars are known to experience high levels of stress, fatigue and emotional strain during training. These pressures can negatively affect their mental health, reduce training satisfaction and contribute to workforce shortages as registrars leave the profession early. Patient care quality can also suffer as a result.
To tackle these issues, the RACGP formed the GPs in Training Wellbeing Committee in 2023. The committee has already delivered a range of advocacy and policy improvements, and its work laid the foundation for this new project.
The Registrar Wellbeing Project, officially unveiled at GP25 in November, includes 48 targeted actions developed by the Committee to improve support directly for registrars.
RACGP National Deputy Director of Training and Committee Chair, Dr Vanessa Moran, told newsGP that the project grew from identifying key areas where registrars needed stronger wellbeing support.
“The project is centred on protecting doctors’ health and reducing burnout, but it also addresses major concerns such as workplace bullying and discrimination,” Dr Moran said. “Everyone involved—registrars, New Fellows, supervisors and RACGP staff—brings personal experience and a commitment to building safer, more supportive training systems.”
RACGP National Lead Medical Educator for Registrar Wellbeing, Dr Julie McClellan, emphasised that improving registrar wellbeing is essential for the future of general practice.
“When registrars are overwhelmed or disconnected, they’re more likely to leave training or avoid long-term GP roles,” she said. “This affects the entire health system—fewer GPs mean more pressure, longer waits for patients and poorer health outcomes.
“Our aim is to give registrars the skills and support they need for a long, healthy career while strengthening the GP workforce overall.”
In the near term, the project hopes to ensure registrars feel better supported by the RACGP. Over the long term, the College aims to see clear, lasting improvements in registrar wellbeing and to become the preferred training provider thanks to its strong focus on trainee support.
As part of this commitment, the RACGP has also launched the Wellbeing Hub, an online centre offering evidence-based resources for registrars managing wellbeing, stress or workplace challenges.
Dr McClellan described the Hub as a comprehensive, reliable resource that brings together practical tools on:
- well-being and health concerns
- managing stress and examination pressure
- handling placements and patient complaints
- financial and legal worries
- navigating career uncertainty
The Hub also includes a self-assessment tool and tailored resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander registrars, as well as those in the Australian Defence Force. A separate Wellbeing Hub for Fellows is currently being developed.
The RACGP will open Expressions of Interest for the Wellbeing Committee in 2026, with a focus on attracting supervisors and registrar representatives from the Northern Territory, ACT and South Australia.
In addition to the Hub and Committee, the RACGP continues to provide a wide range of wellbeing resources for its members.
News Source: RACGP
