The GP training program has failed to fill all its places for the second year running, as the number of junior doctors applying to join the specialty declines.

New figures reveal that 2015 doctors applied for the 1500 places on the program — with 1437 eventually filled (see box, below).

The numbers contrast with the 2458 applications lodged in 2015.

Former RACGP president Dr Liz Marles says the damage inflicted by the ongoing Medicare freeze, as well as the 2014 demise of the GP placement program that exposed junior doctors to life in general practice, were contributing factors.