What Is the RACGP Practice Experience Program (PEP)?
The Practice Experience Program (PEP) is a RACGP pathway to FRACGP for overseas-trained doctors whose specialist qualifications are recognised as equivalent to a significant portion of the RACGP curriculum. Rather than completing a standard training program from scratch, PEP candidates have their prior clinical experience formally assessed, and then complete a structured, supervised program targeted at the identified gaps.
PEP is used primarily by IMGs on the Expedited Specialist GP registration pathway — doctors who arrive with MRCGP+CCT (UK), MICGP+CSCST (Ireland), or equivalent specialist qualification, achieve provisional or general registration quickly through the specialist route, and then pursue RACGP Fellowship recognition of that qualification.
Who PEP is for
PEP is appropriate for IMGs who:
- Hold a specialist GP qualification from a recognised overseas training system (MRCGP, MICGP, or equivalent)
- Are provisionally or generally registered with AHPRA
- Want FRACGP recognition of their overseas qualification rather than completing the full AGPT training program
- Are prepared to undergo RACGP's structured assessment of prior learning and complete any required gap activities
Not every specialist qualification leads automatically to PEP eligibility. RACGP reviews the applicant's qualification, training program structure, and recent clinical experience before confirming PEP entry.
How PEP works
RACGP assesses the candidate's overseas specialist training against the RACGP curriculum. The assessment identifies:
- Areas where the candidate's training and experience satisfies RACGP standards
- Gaps that must be addressed through further supervised work, formative assessments, or learning activities
Gap activities are tailored to the individual. A UK MRCGP holder with 5 years of recent GP practice will have different gaps to a doctor who trained 10 years ago or in a different health system. The program runs alongside clinical employment — candidates work at an accredited training practice while completing their PEP requirements.
Supervision under PEP
PEP requires:
- An RACGP-accredited training practice
- An approved educational supervisor
- Supervision typically at Level 2 (supervisor contactable but not required to be on-site for each session)
Supervision level is set at the time of provisional registration based on the MBA's assessment of the candidate's training and recency. IMGs with MRCGP+CCT and recent GP practice often begin at Level 3 for clinical purposes, while PEP's educational supervision layer operates in parallel under an approved educational supervisor relationship.
PEP and after-hours work
IMGs mid-program in PEP can work after-hours at metropolitan practices under the standard 19AB after-hours exemption. This is an established operational pattern — multi-site metropolitan GP groups regularly work with PEP-track IMGs for evening and weekend shifts.
The open regulatory question: whether after-hours sessions count toward PEP training hours depends on whether the session takes place at the registered training site under the registered educational supervisor. This varies by arrangement — confirm with your RACGP PEP coordinator whether a specific after-hours session at a specific practice will attract training credit. Sessions at non-accredited sites typically do not count toward PEP requirements regardless of clinical hours accumulated.
PEP vs FSP — key differences
| Feature | PEP | FSP |
|---|---|---|
| Entry pathway | Expedited Specialist GP (MRCGP/MICGP equivalent) | Standard AMC or CA pathway IMGs already working in AU |
| Assessment basis | Overseas specialist qualification + prior learning | Clinical experience accumulated in Australian GP practice |
| Target candidate | Newly arrived specialist-qualified GP | IMG already working in Australian GP, seeking Fellowship |
| Typical supervision | Level 2–3 at accredited training site | Level 2 at MM2–7 accredited training practice |
| 19AB training location | Accredited training site (metro possible if accredited) | MM2–7 only for training sessions |
After PEP: FRACGP and what changes
FRACGP is awarded on completion of PEP requirements. It:
- Enables access to MBS item numbers reserved for vocationally registered GPs
- Is recognised by RACGP as equivalent to Fellowship through the standard AGPT training route — there is no lesser or associate grade
- Does not end or modify the 19AB Medicare billing restriction (the clock runs from AHPRA recognition date, not Fellowship award date)
For UK MRCGP holders, FRACGP through PEP is the standard end-state that enables full equivalence with Australian-trained GP Fellows — same MBS billing rights, same college membership, same ongoing CPD obligations.
See also: Competent Authority pathway guide · How supervision levels work · FSP — Fellowship Support Program
Source: RACGP — Practice Experience Program