Patients across Victoria, including many in growing multicultural communities such as Filipino-Australians, may soon find it easier to see a doctor, as a new intake of future general practitioners begins training in 2026.
A total of 363 doctors have commenced training under the Commonwealth-funded Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program through the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP), marking a steady pipeline of new primary care doctors for the state.
The intake includes a strong focus on regional and rural areas, where access to healthcare has long been a challenge.
For many Filipino-Australian families, timely access to a trusted GP remains an important part of everyday life, particularly when managing work, family responsibilities, and ongoing health needs.
Of the new trainees, 149 are on a rural training pathway, completing their entire three-year training in regional, rural, or remote communities – an increase of 9.6 per cent compared with last year. Another 161 are on the general pathway, which includes at least 12 months of training outside inner metropolitan areas, while 53 are on a composite pathway that places doctors in high-need areas, including parts of the Northern Territory.
A total of 63 trainees, or 17 per cent of the cohort, are preparing to become Rural Generalists, undertaking an additional year of advanced training to deliver hospital and emergency care in regional communities.
RACGP Victoria Chair Dr Anita Muñoz said the 2026 intake reflects both stability and a shift toward addressing healthcare gaps beyond metropolitan Melbourne.
“The steady number of future GPs training in Victoria shows there is sustained demand for GP training and confidence in general practice as a career,” she said.
“What’s especially positive this year is the shift toward pathways that deliver direct benefits to communities outside metropolitan Melbourne. Rural and composite registrars play a critical role in strengthening primary care where it’s needed most.”
She added that more support is needed to sustain the training pipeline.
“GP supervisors, rural training posts, and teaching practices need sustained investment. When we back the training system properly, we create a stronger, more equitable healthcare system for every Victorian, from Mildura to Gippsland,” Dr Muñoz said.
Nationally, demand for GP training is also rising. RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said applications have increased significantly in recent years.
“There has been an 81% increase in applications to train as a specialist GP since 2024. Doctors are recognising the AGPT Program as offering outstanding training, continuity of care, and better work-life balance,” he said.
The RACGP said a further 145 eligible doctors applied for training in Victoria, indicating that more funded training places and additional support for supervisors could further expand the GP workforce.
Across Victoria, trainees are spread throughout metropolitan and regional areas, including Metro East, Metro West, South West, and several rural regions, reflecting efforts to improve access to care across the state.
For many migrants, including Filipino-Australians, the GP is often the first point of contact in the health system – helping families navigate referrals, manage ongoing conditions, and access care with confidence.
The RACGP is the peak body representing general practitioners in Australia and oversees training, standards, and professional development in general practice.
