What Is a GP Registrar? A Complete Guide for Future GPs in Australia
If you are considering a career in general practice in Australia, you will come across the term GP Registrar frequently. But what exactly does it mean, and how does it fit into the pathway toward becoming a fully qualified general practitioner?
Understanding the role of a GP Registrar is essential for medical graduates, international medical graduates (IMGs), and anyone preparing for the RACGP Fellowship. This guide explains what a GP Registrar is, the training pathway, responsibilities, and how this role prepares doctors for a rewarding career as a GP in Australia.
Who Is a GP Registrar?
A GP Registrar is a medical doctor who has completed their internship and hospital residency, and has chosen to enter general practice as their specialty. In simple terms, a GP Registrar is a doctor in training to become a specialist general practitioner.
They are already qualified and registered doctors, but they are undertaking supervised practice in a community setting while completing further education and assessments.
GP Registrars in Australia usually train under the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), depending on their chosen pathway.
The Pathway to Becoming a GP Registrar
The journey to becoming a GP Registrar involves several key steps:
1. Medical Degree & Internship
Doctors first complete a recognised medical degree followed by a 12-month internship in a hospital setting.
2. Residency Years
Most doctors then spend one to two years as resident medical officers (RMOs), rotating across different specialties such as emergency medicine, paediatrics, and general medicine.
3. Entry into a General Practice Training Program
Once eligible, doctors apply for a GP training program accredited by RACGP or ACRRM. Successful applicants then begin working as GP Registrars in supervised general practice placements.
4. Exams & Fellowship
During their training, GP Registrars must pass the RACGP exams, including the AKT (Applied Knowledge Test), KFP (Key Feature Problem exam), and the Clinical Competency Exam (CCE), to earn the FRACGP (Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners).
Responsibilities of a GP Registrar
A GP Registrar works in a clinic under the supervision of experienced GP supervisors. Their responsibilities typically include:
- Conducting patient consultations in a community setting
- Managing acute and chronic conditions
- Providing preventive health advice and screenings
- Prescribing medications safely and effectively
- Coordinating care with other healthcare providers
- Participating in training workshops, tutorials, and feedback sessions
Although they are still in training, GP Registrars often take on a high level of clinical responsibility, making this stage a crucial part of their professional development.
Why Is the GP Registrar Stage Important?
The GP Registrar stage is more than just a training requirement—it is where doctors transition from hospital-based medicine to community-centered general practice. It allows registrars to:
- Gain experience in holistic, patient-centered care
- Learn the complexities of primary care decision-making
- Build strong communication and diagnostic reasoning skills
- Prepare for the RACGP Fellowship exams
- Develop independence under supervision, ensuring patient safety and quality of care
Support and Supervision for GP Registrars
Training is designed to be supportive, with GP Registrars supervised by experienced practitioners who provide mentoring, feedback, and structured learning opportunities. Registrars also attend formal education sessions through their training provider and have access to study resources for exams such as the AKT and KFP.
Career Prospects After Fellowship
Once GP Registrars successfully complete their training and exams, they are awarded FRACGP, allowing them to practice independently as specialist GPs in Australia. With Fellowship, doctors enjoy strong career prospects, flexible work options, and competitive remuneration. According to workforce data, the salary of a GP in Australia can range significantly depending on workload, location, and whether they practice in rural or urban areas.
A GP Registrar is a fully qualified doctor undertaking specialised training in general practice, bridging the gap between hospital-based training and independent practice. This stage is a vital part of the RACGP pathway, equipping future GPs with the skills, experience, and confidence to manage diverse patient needs in the community. For aspiring doctors, understanding the GP Registrar role is the first step toward a fulfilling career as a general practitioner in Australia.