Registrar Component FAQs

The Registrar Component of the General Practice Rural Incentive Program (GPRIP) aims to promote careers in rural medicine and increase the number of medical practitioners in rural and remote communities in the long term.

The Registrar Component provides incentive payment to Registrars on the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program (rural or general pathway). It replaces the previous Registrars Rural Incentive Payment Scheme (RRIPS).

AGPT’s policy allows for 4 weeks of annual leave and 10 days sick leave per annum. Any additional leave beyond this may affect your eligibility and should be discussed with your Regional Training Provider (RTP).

The ASGC-RA index was developed in 2001 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. ASGC-RA is the most up to date classification system as it contains the most recent (2006) census data.

More info on ASGC-RA

Although payments for Registrars are lower under GPRIP than under the previous RRIPS, changes under GPRIP ensure that Registrars and GPs receive the same level of grant amount for practice location and years of service. Payments under GPRIP are equitable for medical practitioners working in rural and remote locations, whether they are medical practitioners or Registrars.

Lower payments for Registrars are compensated by the fact that under GPRIP Registrars can access the GP Component of GPRIP immediately on becoming a qualified GP. Previously under the Rural Retention Program (RRP), they were restricted by a qualifying period of up to 6 years in the least remote locations.

Registrars receive the additional benefit that time spent training in rural and remote areas is taken into consideration in determining the level of payment Registrars receive when they transition to the GP Component.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) makes payments to Registrars based on information provided by General Practice Education and Training (GPET). GPET will contact Registrars at the end of each eligible training placement to confirm that their training records are correct before each payment is made. Registrars must provide confirmation by return email to GPET at GPRIPAdministrator@gpet.com.au. To facilitate this process, Registrars must:

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Call the GPRIP hotline at GPET on (02) 6263 6707.

Step 2 : Ensure your email address is correctly recorded with the relevant RTP.

Step 3: When contacted by GPET to confirm training records, respond within the required timeframe. Without confirmation from the Registrar GPET will not request a payment.

Step 4: Submit a GPRIP Bank Details form before finishing your first eligible training placement in order to receive your payment.

Get the GPRIP Bank Details form (PDF)

Send your completed form to the Department of Human Services (DHS) via the postal address or fax number provided on the form. Please note, the payment process can take up to two months from the time that you confirm your details with GPET as records need to go through several checking stages.

Registrars must submit their GPRIP Bank Details form to DHS within 6 months of starting eligible training placements under the AGPT Program.

Payments are based on the ASGC-RA category of the approved training location, time spent in a rural location and percentage of FTE (full time or part time) training undertaken.

Information to determine payment calculations is provided by GPET after confirmation from the relevant RTP and Registrar.

Payments under GPRIP are not subject to Pay As You Go (PAYG) withholding tax.

Recipients must, however, declare these payments for tax purposes, and are advised to seek advice from their financial adviser, accountant or the ATO regarding their own tax arrangements.

The first payment is made on completion of 26 weeks of eligible training in RA3-5 locations, and on completion of 52 weeks of eligible training in RA2 locations. Thereafter, payments are made based on completion of 52 weeks of eligible training. The only exception to this is upon completion of training and/or attaining Fellowship. In these cases Registrars may be eligible for a pro rata payment for their last period of training if it has not reached 52 weeks.

Please note, Registrars who have completed their three year cap under RRIPS and are moved across to GPRIP are not eligible for the 26 week payment as they are automatically assessed at the yearly rate.

Grandparented Registrars who are being assessed under RRIPS can choose to ‘opt out’ of the scheme if it benefits them. For example, a Registrar training in a location that is not eligible for payment under RRIPS, but is eligible under GPRIP can choose to ‘opt out’ from RRIPS in order to receive a GPRIP payment.

Once a Registrar has chosen to ‘opt out’ of RRIPS they are no longer eligible for RRIPS payments and will be assessed according to the GPRIP rules and payment rates from then on - there is no provision for opting back in to RRIPS.

Registrars should contact their RTP, GPET or DoHA for further information on this option.

Where Registrars are training part time payments are made pro-rata. Registrars are still required to reach 26 or 52 calendar weeks of training to receive incentives. Payments are then based on the Full Time Equivalent (FTE) of time spent training. For example, if a Registrar completes a 26 week placement but is only working 50% of the time, they will be paid for 13 FTE weeks.

No. Registrars are not eligible for other Components of GPRIP while they’re enrolled on the AGPT Program. Once they have attained Fellowship, they may be eligible to apply for a Rural Relocation Incentive Grant, or for incentives under the GP Component of GPRIP.

GPRIP: Rural Relocation Incentive Grant: Guidelines

GPRIP: GP Component: Guidelines

Payments are calculated on a pro-rata basis for Registrars transitioning to the GP Component.

Should you continue to work in regional, rural and remote locations, you can continue to receive incentives under the GP component of GPRIP. GPET will provide an ‘end date’ to DHS for you, so that a ‘transition’ from Registrar to GP component payment can be calculated for you.

This payment is calculated by the Department on advice received from DHS on the anniversary of your annual payments under the Registrar component. Each transition payment is unique, and based upon the medical practitioner’s training and payment history. For more information about individual circumstances medical practitioners should contact the Department at GPRIP@health.gov.au.

Yes. When the Department calculates your transition payment, previous time spent in eligible locations under RRIPS or the GPRIP Registrar component will be counted towards your year level under the GP component.

The same principle applies when transitioning from RRIPS to the GPRIP Registrar component.

No. Registrars that are enrolled with the AGPT are not eligible for incentives under other components of GPRIP. However, once Registrars have completed their training and obtained Fellowship they may be eligible to apply for a RRIG.

No. Registrars that are enrolled with the AGPT are not eligible for incentives under other components of GPRIP. Whilst the GPRIP predecessor programs, RRIPS and RRP allowed for dual payments, the GPRIP rules do not allow for this.

• Contact your RTP for info on placement eligibility.
• Call DHS on 1800 010 550 about bank details and payment information.
• Call the AGPT Hotline on (02) 6263 6707 for info about Registrar training placements or for help with GPRIP
• Email GPRIP@health.gov.au for any other info about the Registrar Component.