Applications have opened for a new program to support IMGs pursuing fellowship, but it will leave them thousands of dollars out of pocket because the Federal Government will not support it.

For many observers, too many IMGs have been brought over on limited registration to work in rural communities with minimal backing, high workload and limited opportunities for learning — a fact reflected in the historical pass rates for those who sit RACGP exams. 

In 2019, just 37% of IMGs outside of the Australian General Practice Training program passed the Key Feature Problem exam, while the Applied Knowledge Test pass rate was marginally better at 43%.  

That same year, in what was seen as a major change, the RACGP created its Practice Experience Program (PEP), backed with Federal Government funding.