Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway (RGSEP) is a training and employment program for doctors in rural and regional areas of NSW. It is designed to produce doctors with broad skills to work in both primary care (like general practice) and hospital-based care, often in communities where access to healthcare is limited.
Key points about RGSEP:
- Trainees are employed by a regional Local Health District (LHD) for up to 4 years.
- They rotate between hospital settings and primary care (general practice) to gain a wide range of skills.
- Trainees receive the same pay and conditions as hospital doctors, including leave entitlements.
- RGSEP is part of the Rural Generalist (Medical) Training Program (RGTP).
- In 2026, some RACGP trainees may also train across multiple LHDs (e.g., Far West and Central Coast).
Difference from standard General Practice (GP) training:
- Standard GP training usually focuses mostly on primary care clinics, with limited hospital experience.
- RGSEP combines both hospital and GP work, preparing doctors for broader roles in rural communities.
- RGSEP doctors are employed full-time by the health service, whereas many GPs work in independent practices.
In short: all GPs are doctors, but a Rural Generalist is a GP plus hospital-trained doctor for rural areas, capable of handling a wider scope of care.
NSW Health is making it easier for doctors to embark on a Rural Generalist career through the Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway (RGSEP), with applications now open for the 2026 clinical year.
To be eligible for the RGSEP program, applicants must:
- Be enrolled, or in the process of enrolling, in a relevant vocational general practitioner training program.
- Be eligible for selection into Be eligible for selection into HETI’s Rural Generalist (Medical) Training Program (RGTP)
Applications close on 21 October 2025.
