About the program

The GPPTSP is a Commonwealth initiative was launched in 2010 to address a lack of maternity services in rural areas. It provides $40,000* of Commonwealth funding for up to 10 General Practitioner (GP) Fellows to gain a statement of satisfactory completion of Advanced Rural Skills Training in Anaesthesia or the RANZCOG Associate Advanced Procedural (APTP).

*GST exclusive.

Program eligibility

Anaesthetics Component

To apply for the anaesthetics component, you need to be working in MMM3-7, and be prepared to source a training position to undertake the Rural Generalist Anaesthesia Training Program.

For the purposes of this program, GP means a medical practitioner who has achieved Fellowship of ACRRM and/or the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

For more information, please contact the GPPTSP team via email or 1800 223 226.

Obstetrics Component
For more information on the obstetrics component visit the RANZCOG website.

How to Apply

Anaesthetics Component:

• Applications for the 2025 round will be open until 30 June 2025.
• If you meet the eligibility criteria below, please read the GPPTSP Guidelines and submit an application.
• Please make sure all questions in the application form are completed comprehensively to ensure your application can be reviewed.
• Applications must demonstrate the need for maternity services in the community you practice in and your commitment to rural medicine.
• The grant is competitive and all applications are reviewed by a Selection panel with up to 10 positions available.

Obstetrics Component:

Applications for the 2025 round are now open and close at 11.59 pm, Thursday 10 July 2025. Please apply via the RANZCOG website.

How are applications assessed?

Only GPs working in MMM 3-7 will be considered. The GPPTSP Selection Committee will then rank the eligible applications on the basis of rurality and the need and availability of maternity services and anaesthetics skills in the GP’s practice location. See program guidelines for more detail.

Upon successful selection

From the date of being offered support, you have six months to confirm to the College you have secured a training post. It is expected you successfully complete the Rural Generalist Anaesthesia Training Program within two years of commencing GPPTSP.

The College will pay the support to you across two payments;

1. 35,000 - on confirmation of secured anaesthetics training post
2. 5,000 - final payment upon completion of the Rural Generalist Anaesthesia Training Program

Grant Recipients