Why General Practice in Australia Is One of the Most Rewarding Careers in Medicine

Why General Practice in Australia Is One of the Most Rewarding Careers in Medicine

If you're a medical graduate, an international doctor, or even just exploring your options, there’s one path in Australian healthcare that offers unmatched variety, stability, and personal fulfilment:

 General Practice.

Australia’s GPs are at the heart of the health system - and in 2025, with expanding training places, telehealth innovation, and rural incentive programs, there's never been a better time to enter the field.

In this guide - with insight from A/Prof George Eskander, Chief Examiner at PassGP - we’ll show you what general practice looks like in Australia, why it matters, and how to get started.

What Is General Practice in Australia?

General practice is the frontline of the Australian healthcare system.

GPs provide:

• Cradle-to-grave care - from newborns to palliative patients
• First contact for most health concerns
• Ongoing chronic disease management
• Preventative care - including immunisations, screening, and lifestyle support
• Mental health care
• Emergency triage and stabilisation
• Coordination of specialist referrals

💡 Why Choose General Practice?

As A/Prof Eskander puts it:

“General practice in Australia lets you be a true generalist - a detective, a coach, a scientist, and a healer - all in one 15-minute consult.”

What Makes Australian General Practice Unique?

Australia’s GPs work within a Medicare-funded, mixed billing system and often enjoy a high degree of autonomy.

Key features include:

• Fully computerised medical records and e-prescribing
• Access to Medicare rebates via item numbers
• Opportunities for special interests (e.g., skin cancer, women’s health, mental health)
• Collaborative care teams: nurses, dietitians, allied health, Aboriginal health workers
• Professional regulation via AHPRA and the RACGP/ACRRM Fellowship pathways

How Do You Become a GP in Australia?

There are two main Fellowship pathways:

For International Medical Graduates (IMGs):

• Start with AMC exams + General Registration
• Join RACGP’s FSP or apply for Substantial Comparability
• Some may require a PESCI and supervised work period
• After exams (AKT, KFP, CCE or StAMPS), apply for Fellowship

PassGP is the only platform that supports all of these steps with exam-aligned content, mock exams, and coaching.

🩺 What Is the Day-to-Day Life of a GP?

A typical day might include:

• 8:30 AM: Woman presenting with fatigue and iron deficiency
• 9:00 AM: Child with fever and rash
• 10:00 AM: Chronic care plan for T2DM
• 11:00 AM: Mental health consult for new-onset anxiety
• 1:30 PM: STI counselling and testing
• 2:00 PM: Minor procedure - excision of a skin lesion
• 3:00 PM: Phone consult with elderly patient in aged care
• 4:00 PM: Writing referral letters and eScripts

Each day is different - and each patient needs a GP who can listen, think, and act with care and clarity.

💼 What Do GPs Earn?

Your income depends on your billing model, location, hours, and patient volume.

🔧 How PassGP Supports Future GPs

At PassGP, we do more than offer questions. We:

• Build exam-level AKT, KFP MSQ and CCE content
• Tailor learning for IMGs, AGPT, FSP, and rural pathways
• Provide mock exams based on current formats
• Offer 1:1 coaching and real-world preparation
• Stay aligned with RACGP and ACRRM expectations - thanks to leadership from A/Prof George Eskander

Thousands of candidates now trust PassGP to guide them toward Fellowship - and beyond.

Final Thoughts

General practice in Australia is not a backup plan - it’s a deeply rewarding, flexible, and respected specialty.

Whether you’re fresh out of medical school or bringing global experience to a new career, general practice lets you build relationships, prevent disease, and lead change - all from the front lines of community care.

 Start your journey today at PassGP.
Train smarter. Pass faster. Practise with purpose.