Extended Rural Stream

The VBPTC is committed to fostering the development of the Victorian regional and rural paediatric workforce by supporting Basic Paediatric Training pathways in rural settings. As a result, the Extended Rural Stream (ERS) commenced in 2022 with 4 training positions, and expanded in 2024 to 6 training positions.

The ERS:

• allows trainees to spend at least half of their basic training time in rural hospitals whilst still meeting all of the training requisites of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP);

• trainees will be rotated to a particular region of Victoria (i.e. West, North or East);

• positions are 3 years full time, and are to be completed in consecutive years. There are no deferrals or part time options available within the ERS;

• positions are aimed at junior doctors who would like to spend more time in rural settings and hope to become rural paediatricians.

Applicants should note that the JRMO year (1st year) of the ERS consists of 12 months of general paediatrics. As a result, it is not compliant with the second year of the AMA National Framework for Prevocational (PGY1 and PGY2) Medical Training.

• The Extended Rural Stream commenced in 2022 with 4 positions.

• All positions are accredited for entry into the Victorian Paediatric Training Program.

• All positions will satisfy all of the RACP basic training requirements.

• All positions will spend at least 18 months of basic training in a rural setting.

• All positions are for 3 years full time (part time positions in the ERS are not available at this stage).

Recruitment

• Recruitment to the ERS positions occurs within the centralised Junior Resident Medical Officer (JRMO) recruitment process;

• The ERS positions are offered prior to the Metropolitan Stream positions;

• Successful applicants must be able to commence in the ERS at the beginning of the next clinical year. Deferring commencement is not possible within the ERS;

• An overview of the 3 year program for the 6 ERS positions is available here.

• Recruitment for the ERS positions will occur at the same time and same process as JRMO recruitment

• The Extended Rural Stream positions will be offered just prior to the Metropolitan Stream positions

 Application Process

Adjustments to Ranking

It is important to note the following:

• One academic year is equivalent to attending a rural medical school for 12 months

• The adjustments will only be applied when considering applicants for the Extended Rural Stream positions.

• The adjustments will be removed before applicants are considered for the Metropolitan stream positions.

Applicants who have lived for at least 10 years cumulatively, or any 5 years consecutively, entirely within ASGS Remoteness Areas 2, 3, 4 or 5 within Australia, will have a 10% adjustment (increase) applied.

How can I check if I am eligible for this adjustment?

The Remoteness Area classification of many addresses can be checked by consulting the Health Workforce Locator.

1. Click on the Start now button.

2. Choose either the Search a location tab, or Search the map.

3. Start typing your full address in the Address (required) box. As you type, appropriate addresses will be displayed and you can choose the correct one. If your actual address does not appear, try just typing in the town.

4. Classification (required): Choose the fourth option - Australian Statistical Geographic Standard (ASGS) Remoteness Areas – and then 2016 as the appropriate year.

5. Click on Search location.

6. The RA classification of that address will appear beside the heading ASGS-RA 2016 (Code).

7. Repeat for any additional address that you have resided at.

Special Consideration

If there are special circumstances where a trainee would like to request a change to their training plan, they must submit a Special Consideration form.