Access to a general practitioner in Victoria may improve in the coming years, with hundreds of new doctors beginning specialist training in 2026.
A total of 363 future GPs have started training under the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program, delivered by the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP). The program is funded by the Commonwealth and is a key pathway for doctors to become qualified general practitioners in Australia.
The latest intake highlights a continued effort to address doctor shortages, particularly in regional and outer metropolitan areas where many communities – including multicultural and migrant populations – face longer wait times for appointments.
Of the new trainees, 149 are completing their full training in regional, rural, or remote areas. Another 161 will train mainly in metropolitan settings, but are required to spend at least 12 months in outer metropolitan or non-capital locations. A further 53 trainees are on a composite pathway, which includes placements in high-need areas such as the Northern Territory.
In addition, 63 trainees are preparing to become Rural Generalists. These doctors complete extra training to provide a broader range of services, including hospital and emergency care in regional communities.
RACGP Victoria Chair Dr Anita Muñoz said the intake reflects growing interest in general practice and a shift toward training that benefits underserved areas.
“The steady number of future GPs training in Victoria shows there is sustained demand for GP training and confidence in general practice as a career,” she said.
“What’s especially positive this year is the shift toward pathways that deliver direct benefits to communities outside metropolitan Melbourne.”
The RACGP also reported that 145 eligible doctors applied for GP training in Victoria, but were not all able to secure places, suggesting demand exceeds current capacity.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said continued government investment is important to expand access to healthcare.
“The 47% national growth in future specialist GPs training on a rural pathway shows what we’ve been saying for years, funding gets results,” he said.
“Communities outside our capital cities desperately need more specialist GPs.”
For migrants and new residents, general practitioners are often the first point of contact in the healthcare system – helping patients understand how the system works, access referrals, and manage ongoing health needs with confidence.
The RACGP said increasing training places, along with more support for supervisors and training clinics, could help ensure more people across Australia can access timely and quality healthcare.
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