RACGP policy on Recognition of Prior Learning

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 

1. POLICY TITLE Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) 

1.1 Policy number: 

1.2 Category: Educational 

1.3 Approval date: February 2013 

1.4 Revision due date: February 2016 

1.5 Unit responsible Education Services 

2. POLICY DECLARATION 

This <strong>policy</strong> describes the requirements and guidelines for the application and assessment of 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) registrars 

(Registrars) undertaking the Vocational Training Pathway of the Royal Australian College of General 

Practitioners (the College). 

This <strong>policy</strong> is authorised by the CEO. 

3. BACKGROUND 

AGPT (www.agpt.com.au) is a three year training programme designed to equip the Registrar with 

the knowledge and skills to enter, unsupervised, General Practice anywhere in Australia. As a part of 

this program Registrars are required to complete 52 weeks in accredited hospital posts, 18 months in 

supervised general practice (GP) and up to six months in an accredited extended skills post. Training 

in hospital terms of medicine, surgery, accident and emergency, and paediatrics are mandatory prior 

to Registrars starting the first GP term (GPT1). 

The College is mandated to provide flexible training underpinned by policies which recognise 

demonstrated competencies achieved and give Registrars appropriate credit towards the 

requirements of AGPT. 

i) Objectives 

The objective of this <strong>policy</strong> is to provide useful information to Registrars, Medical Educators, College 

Censors, and AGPT regional training providers (RTP) concerning the requirements for RPL. 

3.1 Definitions 

“Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)” is a program by which Registrars may apply to have some of 

their previous hospital and / or special skills training and assessment taken into consideration when 

determining their training and learning framework. Approval may allow Registrars to gain up to a 

maximum of 52 weeks of time credit for prior experience and learning. 

4. BODY OF POLICY 

4.1 Principles behind RPL 

It is acknowledged that some Registrars may have had prior training in posts similar to those required 

for AGPT. Registrars are eligible to be considered for retrospective recognition of all of the 

requirements for either: 

a) hospital terms up to a maximum of 52 weeks; or 

b) extended skills posts up to a maximum of 26 weeks; or 

c) both hospital and extended skills posts up to a combined maximum of 52 weeks. 

RPL is not an automatic right. It is only considered on the advice and recommendation of the Senior 

Medical Educator of the Registrar’s RTP. This advice should only be made if it is the expectation of 

the Senior Medical Educator that the Registrar will meet the required standard with a shorter training 

time. 

27 February 2013 

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Upon finishing AGPT, the Registrar must have completed the training requirements sufficiently to 

reach the standard of being capable of entering into unsupervised general practice anywhere in 

Australia. 

To be considered for RPL, Registrars need to have also completed at least one year of post intern 

experience in College accredited hospital posts prior to commencement of training in AGPT. 

The Registrar must be able to demonstrate that the training they have completed prior to enrolment 

was relevant and equivalent to the relevant term components of AGPT. This training must have been 

conducted within the guidelines of a formal educational program which includes an assessment 

process. 

It is the Registrar’s responsibility to provide sufficient evidence that these requirements have been 

met and RPL is approved only for training time supported by documentation as listed in Section 4.3 

below. 

The amount of time applied for: 

i) must not be in excess of the actual time spent within that training post; 

ii) may only be to a maximum of 26 weeks in any one discipline; 

iii) does not apply to GP terms or GP experience, with the exception of the Prevocational 

General Practice Placements Program (PGPPP) term which may contribute to the hospital 

term training time if it occurs during or subsequent to Post Graduate Year 2 (PGY2). 

Generally up to four weeks annual leave may be included as part a training year and form part of an 

application for RPL. An extra week for study leave may also be approved if supporting 

documentation can be provided. Registrars are encouraged to discuss their particular circumstances 

with their RTP. 

4.2 Types of RPL 

RPL may be given with or without time credit. 

i) RPL given with time credit reduces the total AGPT time required by up to a maximum of 52 

weeks; 

ii) 

RPL given without time credit recognises prior coverage of particular topic areas (content), 

which enables the Registrar to use an equal amount of training time for other educational 

elective training units. RPL given without time credit does not reduce total training time but 

can modify the composition of the training profile. 

4.2.1 Australian trained doctors 

Australian graduates may have RPL considered for training completed subsequent to their 

intern year and after gaining general registration, i.e. PGY2 and subsequently. 

4.2.2 New Zealand (NZ) trained doctors 

RPL for training in NZ is considered on an individual and discretionary basis by the RTP in 

conjunction with the College Censor. It is only available to NZ graduates, or Australian 

graduates who held Australian general registration at the time of the nominated training. 

4.2.3 Other International Medical Graduates (IMGs) 

RPL with time credit is available for training undertaken after achievement of Australian 

general registration. 

Cases where an IMG is granted Australian general registration in less than the usual 12 

months following gaining the AMC certificate will be considered on a case by case basis by 

the Board of Censors with advice from the Director of Training of the RTP. 

4.3 Application procedure 




An application for RPL may be submitted at any time during training if the RTP has sufficient 

information to determine that RPL is appropriate for the Registrar. However if the RPL is required to 

enable eligibility to sit for the exam then it must be received no later than three months prior to the 

date the Registrar wishes to enrol in the College Fellowship Assessments. 

A request for RPL must first be discussed by the Registrar with their Medical Educator. If the Medical 

Educator and the Senior Medical Educator of the RTP expect that the Registrar will meet the required 

educational standard in a shortened training period, an application for RPL may be submitted. 

All applications must be accompanied by a portfolio of relevant documentation which provides 

sufficient evidence that: 

i) the learning objectives have been attained; 

ii) 

iii) 

iv) 

there has been adequate participation in educational activities; 

there has been adequate participation in formative assessment and; 

the Registrar’s results in assessments have been satisfactory. 

Documentation should be provided for each discipline (even if they are all undertaken in the same 

hospital). It is the Registrar’s responsibility to obtain the required documentation. 

The portfolio needs to include: 

i) A written essay of 500 words explaining how the training experience has helped meet the 

learning objectives of the Registrar. The essay should address the experience with 

reference to the domains of general practice; 

ii) 

iii) 

iv) 

A log of educational activities attended by the Registrar with accompanying reference to 

how such activities relate to the leaning objectives of the Registrar; 

A description of feedback, formative assessment processes undertaken, signed appraisals 

and satisfactory reports provided by supervisors to the Registrar; 

The names and addresses of three supervisors who could act as referees to discuss the 

Registrar’s knowledge and skills, with particular reference to training for general practice; 

v) Other relevant information such as conference papers, research grants, publication, 

committee activity, testimonials, etc. 

It is the responsibility of the Registrar to discuss with their Medical Educator ensuring their application 

is in accordance with the learning and training plan. 

The RPL application can then be submitted to the RTP for assessment and a decision. 

4.4. Assessment of applications for RPL 

4.4.1 Applications for RPL with time credit 

An RPL application with time credit is initially assessed by two (2) Medical Educators of the 

RTP and then submitted to the College Censor for consideration. 

1. Upon receipt of the application, the RTP will check the documentation is complete and 

request additional information as required. 

2. The Medical Educators assess the information in the application in light of the 

applicant’s knowledge, skills, experience, and training requirements. 

3. The RTP will forward the completed application together with the recommendations of 

the medical educators to the College. The RTPs Medical Educators will outline which 

post and how many weeks they recommend for RPL with time credit. This may be part 

of or all of the time requested by the Registrar. It is expected that the RTP’s Medical 

Educators will have discussed their recommendation with the Registrar prior to 

submission to the College. If the RTP does not consider any RPL is appropriate then 

the application would not be forwarded to the College. 




4. Once the application is received by the College from the RTP, the College Censor 

conducts a final assessment and makes a decision. The College Censor confirms the 

decision in writing to the RTP and Registrar. 

4.4.2 Applications for RPL without time credit 

An RPL application without time credit is assessed by two Medical Educators of the RTP. 

There is no requirement for censorial involvement in RPL without time credit. 

4.5 Results of applications 

The Registrar shall be notified of the decision by the RTP within three (3) months of receipt of an 

application and their remaining training requirements will then be modified in accordance with the 

decision. 

If the Registrar disagrees with an RPL decision, they may discuss this with RTP Medical Educators in 

the first instance. If they are still dissatisfied they may discuss their concerns with the relevant College 

Censor. Should an applicant want further information on the College appeals processes the Board of 

Censors Decision Review Policy can be found at www.racgp.org.au/education/fellowship/fellowshipof-the-racgp/policies/. 

5. Review of this <strong>policy</strong> 

The review cycle for this <strong>policy</strong> is three years.

RACGP policy on Recognition of Prior Learning

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