Applications for ACRRM Fellowship now open: A career where Every Day is Different

From delivering babies in the morning to managing a trauma case in the afternoon — no two days look the same for Australia’s Rural Generalists. 

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) has opened applications for its 2026 Rural Generalist Fellowship Program, calling for doctors ready to take on one of the most diverse and in-demand roles in medicine. 

ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says the diversity of the Rural Generalist role is what makes it one of the most rewarding — and urgently needed — medical careers in the country. 

“Every day is different. One day you're providing emergency care, the next you're supporting mental health or delivering long-term care to a family you’ve known for years,” Dr Martin says. 

“Rural Generalists do more than general practice - and that’s exactly what rural, remote, and First Nations communities need.” 

As Australia faces critical rural workforce shortages, Dr Martin says training more Rural Generalists is essential to maintaining access to care. 

“There are towns where a single well-trained doctor can mean the difference between no healthcare and a fully functioning clinic or hospital,” he says. 

“We need doctors who are adaptable, capable, and committed, and that’s who the ACRRM Rural Generalist Fellowship program is designed to support.” 

ACRRM Fellowship is the only national training program built specifically for doctors who want to practise medicine in rural, remote, and First Nations communities. From day one, registrars train in rural and remote locations and are equipped with the broad skills required to meet complex and varied community needs. 

The program includes advanced training in emergency care, obstetrics, anaesthetics, Indigenous health, and mental health, and more; and is underpinned by strong mentorship and regional support networks. 

Dr Martin says the program is ideal for doctors seeking a career that challenges them professionally while allowing them to make a meaningful difference. 

“We’re training doctors not just to be clinicians, but to be leaders in their communities,” he says. 

“If you want a career where every day is different - this is your next step.” 

Applications for the 2026 ACRRM Rural Generalist Fellowship Program are now open. 
To learn more or apply, visit acrrm.org.au.