Basic Physician Training 

Basic Physician Training (Adult Internal Medicine)

Ready to take the next step toward a career in physician training? 

The Basic Physician Training (BPT) program is a 3-year pathway designed to build essential skills for advanced specialty training and a wide range of medical careers. Western Australian (WA) Adult Medicine Basic Physician Training (BPT) Network Committee oversees the selection into Basic Physician training in WA. 

BPT in Adult Internal Medicine (AIM) is offered through the following four WA networks:

 
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Information Sessions

Find out more about Basic Physician Training (BPT) in WA by attending one of our upcoming information sessions. These sessions are hosted by each metropolitan training network and provide an opportunity to learn more about the program, training environments, and application process.

Further details, including session links and materials, will be published as they become available.

East - RPH: Friday, 12 June at 1:00 pm

North - SCGH: Wednesday, 17 July at 1:30 pm

South - FSH: Wednesday, 29 July at 4:30–5:30 pm

Eligibility:

To apply, you will need:

  • general registration with the Medical Board of Australia or with general scope of practice under the Medical Council of New Zealand.
  • at least 2 years of postgraduate clinical experience in Australia (or equivalent)
  • Secure a position, or be deemed suitable for appointment to the pool, for a fixed-term RMO or SMR role of at least 12 months duration at one of the following hospitals (casual or locum contracts will not be accepted):
    • East Network
      • Royal Perth Bentley Group
      • St John of God Midland
      • Armadale Health Service
    • North Network
      • Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Healthcare Group
      • Joondalup Health Campus.
    • South Network
      • Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospital Group
      • Rockingham General Hospital
      • Peel Health Campus

2027 Application Dates

East, North and South Network 2027 intake

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Continuing Trainees

Already training and want to stay within the same network?

If you're eligible for the shortened application process, you'll receive an email with instructions on how to submit your simplified application for the 2027 intake.

Basic Physician Training Paediatrics

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Basic training in paediatrics and child health is the start of the minimum 6-year training program to become a Paediatrician in Western Australia.

WA candidates seeking to register with the RACP as a first-year basic paediatric trainee are first required to secure employment for 12 months with:

  • Perth Children’s Hospital as a Resident Medical Officer or Registrar, or
  • Fiona Stanley Hospital as a Paediatric or Neonatal Registrar. 

Entry into the paediatrics and child health BPT follows a separate application process to the adult internal medicine stream. Prospective trainees, who have accepted eligible employment, will be informed of the BPT selection process by PCH Postgraduate Medical Education (PCH PGME).

Further information on the program, training requirements and application process can be found on the RACP website. 

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve compiled answers to common questions about the Basic Physician Training (BPT) program in Adult Internal Medicine, including application and training requirements.

Basic Physician Training in adult internal medicine

Every trainee must re-apply to BPT each year, however there is an abbreviated application process in place for continuing trainees. Continuing trainees will be emailed directly with instructions on how to complete the shorter application process.

Applications are for a 12-month appointment to a training program. Applicants must have employment for the whole clinical / training year except where the applicant is seeking only 6 months of BPT or the DPE has agreed to accept the application conditional on continuing employment. 

Candidates with contracts shorter than 12 months seeking 12 months of BPT should discuss their training intentions and eligibility with their employer’s BPT Network DPE prior to applying. There is no guarantee that a request to apply for 12 months of BPT without a 12 month or longer contract will be granted. Candidates are encouraged to attach the details of the request and discussion with the Network DPE to their application.

Candidates seeking only 6 months of BPT must discuss their training intentions and eligibility with their employer’s BPT Network DPE prior to applying. There is no guarantee that a request for 6 months BPT will be granted. Candidates seeking only 6 months of BPT are encouraged to attach the details of the request and discussion with the Network DPE to their application.

The BPT application linked to the employment will become ineligible for BPT and will not be considered for a place in the Network BPT program, if a candidate terminates the employment detailed on their BPT application.

If a BPT application becomes ineligible due to withdrawal or decline of the associated employment offer or contract, after applications have closed, the application will be ineligible, and the candidate will not be considered for a place in the Network BPT program.

If applications are still open, the BPT application must be updated with eligible employment details and be submitted before the close of applications to meet eligibility requirements i.e., the application be updated to link it to another eligible contract / accepted employment offer.

Once applications are submitted, they cannot be edited, and any additional documents cannot be uploaded. We recommend you save a draft of your application which you can edit as required until you are ready to submit it.

Each BPT Network is responsible for determining their training capacity (ability to support training numbers) in any given year. This training capacity includes both RMO and SMR positions and will be dependent on operational activity, College requirements and progression of current trainees. As a result, the volume of trainees and capacity to train may fluctuate from year to year.

Each BPT Network provides structured written and clinical exam preparation. The exam preparation includes mock exams (written and clinical) and is available to Network trainees.

Major teaching hospitals are known for their diverse case mix and unique teaching and learning environments. Rich educational opportunities are available for all clinical staff including SMRs. Educational and professional support resources and educational activities are provided at BPT accredited hospitals.

Many of the educational activities / workshops delivered within the BPT Networks, some of which are available via teleconferencing to registrars on rotation to a different hospital, are of value for SMRs. Specific BPT workshops will only be available to trainees who have been appointed to a Network BPT program.

RACP also provides education opportunities. Please contact the RACP Education Officer for further information.

The WA BPT Networks and the Network Level 1 Teaching and Secondment Hospitals will provide support, through the medical education teams, for one attempt for each exam. 
There is no longer ‘open-ended’ support for unlimited attempts at the RACP exams.

If a trainee is not successful at passing the exam on the first attempt, the following shall occur:

  • Areas of the exam that the trainee did not pass will be reviewed.
  • The expectation for the trainee to continue with the BPT program for the following year will be considered.
  • Entry into the mock exams / exam preparation will be reviewed depending on available resources.
  • Full support and access to employer-based resources will be provided for a further year, which will then be reviewed based on availability of resources. 

There will only be limited avenues to continue to support trainees after exam fails due to the competitive nature of selection for positions. Determination of the most appropriate course of action will be undertaken on a case-by-case basis.

The RACP Trainee in Difficulty Support (TIDS) Policy and Progression Through Training Policy will be considered in decision-making regarding trainee progression through training. 

Please refer to the RACP Basic Training website for College policies and further information.

Trainees who are deemed ineligible to continue a BPT Network training program with employer-based support will revert to a non-BPT RMO or SMR position based on the terms of the employment contract.

Please contact the relevant BPT team below:

Or contact the WA RACP Member Support Officer via:

For general queries, please contact: MedicalRecruitment@health.wa.gov.au

For the most up to date guidance from the RACP on COVID-19 pandemic responses and implications for BPT, please visit the website

RACP

Western Australia AIM | Entry into Basic Training

WA RACP Member Support Office: