The RACGP wants to make life easier for GPs who return to work after extended time away, declaring too many doctors are being caught up in bureaucracy.

Currently, those who take between one and three years away from the job have to complete the equivalent of one year of CPD activities relevant to their practice before they re-enter.

And those who go more than three years without practising must provide the Medical Board of Australia with professional development plans and work under supervision for at least six months until they are deemed safe to practise on their own.

But there is no program or set curriculum to help them, says Melbourne GP Dr George Zaharias, who runs the college’s advisory service for GPs returning to practice.