Leave entitlements for GP Registrars whilst in AGPT - FAQs

Q: What are the different types of Leave to which GP Registrars are entitled whilst enrolled in the Australian General Practice (AGPT) program?
A:  There are two categories of leave to which GP Registrars may be entitled whilst enrolled in the AGPT program:

1.    Employment-associated leave

• Includes recreational leave and personal/carer’s leave.
• This leave is normally included in the GP Registrar’s training unit and does not affect the length of time it takes to complete a training unit or their progress in the AGPT program.
• For example, when a GP Registrar has 2 weeks of recreational/annual leave during a 26 week GP Term placement, the placement still counts as 26 weeks of training.

2.    Leave of Absence from the AGPT program

• Includes:
  • Parental leave
  • Discretionary/Compassionate leave
  • ADF Leave
  • Leave of absence for elective training purposes
  • Leave of absence for other reasons
• This leave will affect the GP Registrar’s progress in the AGPT program.

Q: How do I apply for Leave of Absence?
A: All leave (except for employment-associated leave) must be prospectively and formally approved by CSQTC.

• GP Registrars complete and submit an Leave Application form available on the CSQTC website Forms and Documents page.
  

Q: How do I apply for employment-associated leave, such as recreational or personal/carer’s leave?
A: GP Registrars should apply to their employer for leave and can advise CSQTC of their annual leave dates by phone call or email.  GP Registrars must notify CSQTC in writing of any leave they have during their active training units if their leave exceeds 4 weeks per year during GP Terms or 6 weeks per year during hospital terms.

Q: When will Leave of Absence from the AGPT program not be approved?
A: Leave of absence will not be granted:

• to the GP Registrar who plans to work in unsupervised general practice; or
• at commencement of training (please refer to question below).

Q: How much Leave of Absence is a GP Registrar entitled?
A: At present, the AGPT guidelines state that:

• “The amount of leave approved (not including parental leave) cannot be greater than the amount of time it would normally take to complete the compulsory components of the AGPT program i.e. three or four years full-time”.
• Therefore, CSQTC assumes that for the majority of GP Registrars, up to 3 years leave can be taken during the AGPT program (not including parental leave).
• In relation to parental leave, “the GP Registrar who is to be the primary caregiver shall be eligible for parental leave of up to 12 months following the live birth, adoption or assumption of guardianship of the child/children”.

Q: Can I commence my training in a period of Leave of Absence?
A: Training cannot normally commence with a period of leave of absence, except in the following circumstances:

• parental leave;
• deferral of entry due to the need to undertake preparatory work as determined by CSQTC;
• unexpected ill health; or
• discretionary leave is formally granted by CSQTC.

Q: Can I commence my training in a period of Leave of Absence for Elective training purposes?
A: No. GP Registrars must satisfactorily complete 12 months of active training in the AGPT program before undertaking any Elective training.

Q: How much employment-associated leave can I have during my active training before my progress in the AGPT will be affected?
A: AGPT guidelines state that Regional Training Providers (RTPs) must have local arrangements in place to ensure that the GP Registrar and the GP Registrar’s employer are aware of employment-related leave entitlements and any industrial agreements that inform such entitlements and related responsibilities.

• Latest advice from the RACGP Censor in Queensland is that, regardless of what employment-associated leave GP Registrars might be entitled to via their employer, the following maximum leave weeks are allowed to be incorporated into training, without training time requirements being affected:
  • a maximum of 6 weeks leave per 12 months (full-time training), during hospital-based training units.
    
  • a maximum of 4 weeks leave per 12 months (full-time training), during GP Term placements.
    
• GP Registrars undertaking the hospital training year in Queensland are normally employed by Queensland Health and would be able to take their 6 weeks leave in any combination throughout the year, as negotiated with their employer.
• GP Registrars undertaking their first 12 months GP Terms are usually employed by the Practice as per the National Minimum Terms and conditions, which allows for 2 weeks paid annual leave per 6 months full-time period.  GP Registrars who are in one Practice for their first 12 months could normally have their 4 weeks leave in any combination, which should be negotiated with their Practice.  However, GP Registrars in a Practice for 6 months only who request 3 or even 4 weeks leave during that 6 month placement, should note the following:
  • GP Registrars should negotiate this leave with their employing Practice and cannot expect or demand that it be granted;
  • for a 6 month placement, GP Registrars should expect that any annual leave greater than 2 weeks will most probably be unpaid (however, there may be entitlements for personal/carer’s leave);
  • by way of example, if a GP Registrar has 3 weeks leave during one 6 month period, then he/she would only be able to have 1 week leave during the other 6 month period without his/her training time being affected.  The GP Registrar could have more than 1 week leave during the next 6 month period, however, their training time will be affected once the leave exceeds 4 weeks;
  • all leave must be negotiated with the GP Registrar’s employing Practice.
• There is no Minimum Terms & Conditions for GP Registrars undertaking their subsequent GP Terms.  GP Registrars should refer to the employment agreement/contract that they have negotiated with their employer to determine whether they are entitled to paid leave.  GP Registrars during this stage of training would be able to have their 4 weeks leave in any combination throughout the year, as negotiated with their employer.

Q: Where can I find out more about leave requirements and entitlements whilst enrolled in the AGPT program?
A: The AGPT policy on Leave can be accessed via the AGPT website http://www.agpt.com.au/Policies/Policies/
The National Minimum Terms & Conditions contains information on leave entitlements for GP Term placements during the first 12 months of GP Terms – please see the Form and Documents page on the CSQTC website.

Q: Are GP Registrars entitled to paid Parental Leave whilst employed in general practice placements?
A: The National Minimum Terms and Conditions for Basic and Advanced GP Terms (NMT&C) states that:

Parental leave requirements are dealt with extensively under Federal, State and Territory Legislation. Arrangements for parental leave, which includes maternity, paternity and adoption leave, should be discussed between the Registrar and the employer having regard to the applicable legislation (2008 NMT&C, Section 7.5).

The NMT&C document defers to State and Federal law and makes no other specifications. In Queensland, Temporary Full Time employees are entitled to Parental leave but there is no entitlement to paid parental leave. Please refer to the Queensland Council of Unions website, specifically www.qcu.asn.au.The legislation is quite clear that whilst a Temporary Full Time employee is entitled to Parental/Maternity Leave (and a GP Registrar is considered a Temporary Full Time employee), there is no entitlement to paid leave unless there is an Employer Agreement in place stating thus, the conditions of which are superior to the Act.