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Pre-Fellowship Program (PFP)

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Pre-Fellowship Program (PFP)

Previously More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP)

The Pre-Fellowship Program (PFP) was announced as part of the 2023-24 Budget Strengthening Medicare Initiative, replacing the More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP).

The Australian Government is investing $30.5 million in the Pre-Fellowship Program (PFP) pilot over two financial years (2023-24 to 2024-25). The program is designed to support overseas-trained doctors and foreign graduates of an Accredited Medical School, who are also known collectively as International Medical Graduates (IMGs). Non-vocationally recognised (non-VR) doctors can apply as well. Applicants must be temporary or permanent residents of Australia. The PFP supports recipients by helping them:

  • Gain valuable general practice experience prior to joining a general practitioner College-led Fellowship pathway with either the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine or Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
  • Work in primary care and remain in rural and remote communities
  • Receive funding support for supervision, as well as learning and development, if they are an IMG holding provisional or limited registration

The PFP differs from MDRAP in a number of critical ways, including that:

  • Doctors will be able to practice in all Distribution Priority Areas (DPAs) — this also applies to outer metropolitan areas
  • Practices will be prioritised dependent on workforce need by the Health Workforce Needs Assessment
  • Participating practices need to be accredited, meeting minimum safety and quality standards under the National General Practice Accreditation (NGPA) Scheme
  • Participating practices need to be accredited, or working towards accreditation, as a training practice with ACRRM or RACGP
  • Smaller rural practices will receive additional (supervisory) financial support, with greater support for doctors requiring level 1 supervision through increased supervision payments
  • Only IMGs (other than those with general registration) will receive financial support under the program
  • Doctors will have their readiness for Fellowship training reviewed every 3 months, which should see most doctors shift to being on a pathway to specialist recognition sooner

How to Apply for a PFP Placement

If you are seeking PFP opportunities in remote Western Australia, Rural Health West can help.

We administer the Pre Fellowship Program in WA.

Please contact our team on [email protected] if you have any queries!

For comprehensive information, please see our PFP Guidelines.

PFP Guidelines

More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP)

The More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP) is now closed to new applicants. The MDRAP provided support and training towards joining a college fellowship for doctors who were temporary or permanent residents of Australia and not vocationally recognised. In the 2023-24 Budget, the Australian Government decided to replace MDRAP with the Pre-Fellowship Program (PFP). The PFP also supports those doctors working in areas of service access need who are seeking to move into fellowship training.

Please note:

    • Doctors who are currently participating on the MDRAP are not eligible to apply for the PFP.
    • Current MDRAP candidates will continue on that program for the remainder of their placement period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PFP? How does it differ from the MDRAP program?

The Pre-Fellowship Program (PFP) is an initiative that has replaced the More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP) to support doctors in rural areas of Australia. Compared to the MDRAP program, the PFP puts greater focus on the distribution of doctors, financial support, as well as training and accreditation requirements.

What happened to the MDRAP program?

The Australian Government decided to replace the MDRAP program with the Pre-Fellowship Program (PFP). This decision was made as part of the 2023-24 Budget Strengthening Medicare Initiative. The PFP continues to support doctors in rural Australia. The MDRAP is now closed to new applicants.

How do I apply for the PFP?

To apply for the PFP, candidates need to meet certain eligibility criteria and complete an application process. Detailed information can be found in our PFP Guidelines. For further assistance, please contact Rural Health West directly.