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Specialist Training Placements and Support (STPS)
The Specialist Training Placements is the core of the initiative, providing financial and advocacy support enabling training settings in regional, rural or remote (MM2-7) locations and in private facilities across the nine surgical specialties to host a Trainee.
The funding model consists of a contribution to the Trainees salary and an additional allowance for regional, rural and remote settings (Rural Support Loading), and an infrastructure and clinical supervisor support fund for private facilities (Private Infrastructure and Clinical Supervision (PICS) funding).
RACS currently funds and supports 61 FTE, there are currently no vacancies.
STP Funding | Amount1 | Funding Description |
Trainee salary support | $105,000 |
Annual Trainee salary support of up to $105,000 (per 1 FTE) per annum per training post. From 2022, the contribution is index annually. |
Rural Support Loading | $25,000 | A rural loading allowance of up to $25,000 (per 1 FTE) per annum per training post to support additional costs in hosting a trainee in regional, rural, and remote (MMM 2 – 7) settings. |
Private Infrastructure and Clinical Supervision (PICS) | $30,000 | A Private Infrastructure and Clinical Supervision (PICS) allowance of up to $30,000 (per 1 FTE) per annum per training post to support the delivery of STP in Private facilities. |
1 Amounts listed are full allowances for 1 FTE per year per post/position.
How to Apply to the STP Reserve List
The Reserve List Post Process is the only mechanism through which eligible settings can apply to have proposed new posts assessed for program suitability.
The Reserve List Process is held annually over a 16-week period from March, consisting of a 4-week application period and a 12-week assessment period. Applications are only accepted via the Department's the online portal available on the Department of Health's STP website.
How the Reserve List Post Process works
The portal is opened to receive applications during the 4-week application stage. Any applications that are incomplete or not submitted by the closing date and time will not be assessed and disregarded. Applications are first assessed by RACS (including the Specialty Training Boards), then the state or territory health jurisdiction and finally the Department of Health. Outcomes are released to RACS within a few weeks following the end of the official assessment period. In turn, outcomes will then be forwarded to the applicant. Posts that have been found suitable for the STP will be added to the RACS STP Reserve List to await a vacancy in RACS' allocated FTE.
The Department of Health manages ‘the Process’ and is the final approving authority to determine an application’s suitability with no avenue to appeal.
Reserve List Post Process - 2024
Timeline | Date |
Application Period (4-weeks) |
Opens: Monday 4 March 2024, 9am AEST Closes: Thursday 4 April 2024, 5pm AEST |
Assessment Process (12-weeks) | From April 2024 |
Outcomes Released2 |
From mid-July 2024 |
2 Release of the Outcomes is dependant on the Department's processes and the date provided is a guide only.
To register your interest, please email [email protected].
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered by the Department of Health for the STP Reserve List, the proposed post must satisfy the below criteria.
Criteria | Detail |
Non-traditional training setting |
Rural: a minimum of 0.5 FTE of the training position must be held in an MM 2 – 7 classified location. and/or Private: a minimum of 0.5 FTE of training is to take place in a private setting. "Private" relates to the facility and its ownership and is not a publicly owned facility treating private patients. |
Expansion of Training |
Must be a NEW position representing a genuine expansion of training in the RACS Surgical and Education Training (SET) Program and has not been previously filled or funded by another source. |
RACS Training Post Accreditation | Proposed positions must be eligible and able to be accredited by the relevant RACS Specialty Training Board. We recommend applicants seek advice and an endorsement from the relevant RACS Specialty Training Board to ensure eventual successful accreditation. Visit the RACS Training Post Accreditation or contact your Specialty Training Board, for more information. |
Eligible Specialties |
From 2023, all nine surgical specialties are eligible to apply to the Reserve List. |
Demonstrate Community Need and Medical Workforce Rebalance and Supply |
Each application must demonstrate how the proposed post will support the needs of the community they serve and address the imbalance of supply and maldistribution of the surgical medical workforce. We encourage reference to the National Medical Workforce Strategy and RACS' Rural Health Equity Strategy Action Plan. |
Support |
To be considered by the Department, the proposed position must be supported by
It is encouraged that all applications are accompanied with supporting documentation from the Local Health Network, Director of Surgery (or equivalent), and the Hospital/Group CEO outlining the educational benefits to the Trainee, how this post will address community need and redistribution of the surgical medical workforce. |
Ineligibility Criteria
The following is not eligible for funding under the STP.
- Public Metropolitan training positions (MM1 Classification)
- Post-fellowship training
- General practice training
- Direct costs associated with accreditation of training posts
- Post that will be occupied by overseas trainees.
- Training posts which are not considered to be a new post
- Individual Trainees are not eligible to apply for funding.
Training More Doctors in Tasmania
The Training More Specialist Doctors in Tasmania activity (Tasmanian Project) aims to increase the number of doctors to become specialists in Tasmania by supporting approved Tasmanian specialty training positions, and the training and retention of specialist doctors in the Tasmanian health system.
The funding allocated contributes to creating sustainable surgical training and supervisory positions for the State and the delivery of high-quality health services to the Tasmanian community.
RACS supports 8.4 FTE across the Royal Hobart Hospital and Launceston General Hospital. There are no vacancies, and the project funding is capped.
The STP team works closely with the Department of Health Tasmania to ensure project compliance and how together we can build a sustainable surgical workforce in Tasmania.
More Information
For more information on the STP, please see visit the Department of Health's STP website.
Guidelines, Forms and Resources
- STP Eligibility Checker (PDF 67.08KB) (PDF 67.08KB)
- New Post Process Factsheet (PDF 357.93KB) (PDF 357.93KB)
- STP Consent Form (PDF 457.01KB) (PDF 457.01KB)
- Rural Support Loading (RSL) Guidelines (PDF 866.24KB) (PDF 866.24KB)
- Private Infrastructure and Clinical Supervision (PICS) Guidelines (PDF 872.02KB) (PDF 872.02KB)
- Planned Infrastructure Expenditure Form (Coming Soon)
- The Department of Health, 2022 - 2025 STP Operational Framework
- The Department of Health, National Medical Workforce Strategy 2021 - 2031
- The Department of Health, Health Workforce Locator
- RACS Rural Health Equity Strategic Action Plan
Contact
Specialist Training Program (STP) office
Email: [email protected]
Phone +61 3 9249 1283