Pre-Fellowship Program (PFP)
About the Program
The Pre-Fellowship Program (PFP) was announced by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care on 1 April 2024 as the successor to the More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP).
Designed to strengthen access to primary healthcare in areas of workforce need, the PFP supports non-vocationally registered doctors to gain supervised general practice experience while progressing toward Fellowship training.
In Tasmania, the program is administered by The People Project, as part of the national Rural Workforce Agency Network, ensuring local oversight, support, and alignment with community health workforce priorities.
Program Guidelines
The program will allow doctors working in Distribution Priority Areas (DPA) to access items on the Medicare Benefits Schedule and offer primary care services to the population in underserved areas. In Tasmania all locations (including the cities) are classified as DPA.
Financial support will be available for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) with limited or provisional registration working under supervision to cover professional development expenses. The receiving practices for those doctors will also be able to access financial incentives for supervision expenses.
The program will offer placements for a maximum of two years, with all participants expected to join a formal general practice training program during that time.
How to apply
You will need the following documents in PDF to complete your application:
- Current ID (Passport or Australian Driver’s Licence)
- Residency/Citizenship (Australian Visa, Australian Citizenship or Australian Birth Certificate)
- CV / Resume (Use the standard AHPRA format)
- Professional Development Plan (completed by the practice), or Supervised Practice Plan (as provided to AHPRA, form SPPA-30)
- Registration (AHPRA certificate)
Register as a Supervisor
To register as a supervisor in the program please click the PFP Supervisor Registration Form link below.
All supervisors in the PFP must deliver a supervision report after the first month, and quarterly in April, July, October and January. To submit a supervision report, click the PFP Supervision Report button below.
Program Eligibility
The program is open in Tasmania for all medical practitioners who:
- Are Australian citizens, permanent or temporary residents
- Hold current registration as a medical practitioner with AHPRA
- Are not vocationally registered (don’t hold a specialist qualification)
- Have an offer of employment from an eligible practice in Tasmania
The PFP cannot be joined by doctors who:
- Have worked under a 3GA program in the past
- Intending to work exclusively for after-hours services or urgent care clinics
- Are vocationally registered
The practices receiving participants must be:
- Located in a DPA area (currently all locations in Tasmania are eligible)
- Be accredited under the National General Practice accreditation scheme
- Be accredited (or working towards accreditation) as a training practice with either (or both) colleges of General Practice (RACGP or ACRRM)
We’re here to help
If you would like more information about the program in Tasmania please reach out.