A rural generalist journey
Are you a junior doctor considering a career as a Rural Generalist?
Foundations is the bridge between your aspirations and your future role as a Rural Generalist in NSW.
Foundations is an entry point to the supported NSW RGTP pathway to rural general practice with procedural and /or advanced skills. It is not an employment position; trainees can be working in either hospital or GP practice terms. The primary aim of this stream is to support and prepare trainees on their journey to Rural Generalism through career navigation, mentoring and education.
Join the NSW Rural Generalist (Medical) Training Program and contribute to shaping the future of rural medicine where it's needed the most.
For enquiries please email HETI-RuralGeneralist@health.nsw.gov.au and enter Foundations Enquiry in the subject line

The NSW Rural Generalist Coordination Unit is currently not accepting applications for Foundations.
Register your interest here Enquiry Form
Rural Generalist training generally takes four to five years, depending on the year of entry and number of Advanced Skills Training (AST) specialties undertaken. This includes meeting the requirements for both general practice training and your preferred advanced skill. (Current NSW Health-funded AST specialties include - Anaesthetics, Emergency Medicine, Mental Health, Obstetrics, Paediatrics and Palliative Care).
No, applicants who wish to commence as Rural Generalist Foundations Trainees as PGY2 doctors may apply to both NSW Rural Generalist Medical Training Program and a GP training College during their intern year.
No, however applicants must be intending to enrol, in the process of enrolling or enrolled, in RACGP and /or ACRRM vocational General Practice training programs. Continuation on the RGTP is contingent on a trainee being accepted onto a general practice training pathway. All trainees must be enrolled on a general practice training pathway prior to commencing advanced skills training (AST).
Applicants from other college training programs are not eligible unless they are also concurrently enrolled with or have a general practice training application pending with either RACGP or ACRRM.
The RGTP pathway is undertaken in conjunction with general practice training through either RACGP or ACRRM. All trainees must be enrolled on a general practice training pathway prior to commencing advanced skills training (AST).
No, NSW Health recruitment guidelines specify that applicants must hold Australian citizenship or Australian permanent residency.
Yes. The RGTP is not the only pathway to a Rural Generalist career. If you want to pursue a career as a Rural Generalist independently, we recommend you discuss your interest further with ACRRM or RACGP.
There are no long-term obligations when registering with the RGTP or accepting a RGTP position.
You must be an Australian citizen or Permanent Residency holder and have a current general registration with Medical Board of Australia to be eligible for this program.
A rural generalist journey
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