RACGP Awards

Recognising excellence in general practice

RACGP Awards

Recognising excellence in general practice

The RACGP > Awards and Grants > RACGP Awards
Last updated 2 May 2025

Nominations are now open for the 2025 RACGP Awards!

Do you know an extraordinary GP, supervisor, medical educator, GP in training or practice going above and beyond?

The annual RACGP Awards recognise excellence in general practice and dedication to holistic patient care. Through our national, state, rural and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health awards, we’re celebrating the people and practices who go the extra mile for the health of their communities.

Nominations are open until 9.00 am AEST, Monday 30 June.

Submit your nomination via the links below.

 

Public-nominated awards

Nominate your GP or practice team for General Practitioner of the Year or General Practice of the Year

Nominate now 

National awards

Nominate your peers for our national awards, including the Rose-Hunt Award, Corlis Medical Educator Award, Registrar and Supervisor of the Year, and more.

Nominate now 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health awards

Nominate a GP, registrar or medical student making a positive impact in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care.

Nominate now 

Rural awards

Nominate exceptional individuals for their contributions to rural general practice.

Nominate now 

Discover previous award winners here.

RACGP award categories and criteria

Public-nominated awards

General Practitioner of the Year

Nominees: GP of the Year nominees must be current financial members of the RACGP and hold unconditional medical registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (Ahpra).

Nominators: Nominations for this award can be made by any two people. This award and the General Practice of the Year are the only two RACGP awards for which members of the public are eligible to submit nominations.

Award criteria: A winner will be chosen from each state, and one national winner will be chosen from amongst the state finalists. This award will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Understanding and commitment to general practice
  • Service to the public
  • Involvement in training and continuing professional development

Previous winners of the RACGP GP of the Year award cannot be considered for this award again until a period of at least five years has lapsed. The list of previous winners is available online.

General Practice of the Year

Nominees: All Australian general practices with current practice accreditation are eligible to be nominated for this award. The nominated practice must have at least one current financial RACGP member within their practice and must provide information for the RACGP member who will receive the award on behalf of their practice.

Nominators: Nominations for this award can be made by any two people. This award and the General Practitioner of the Year are the only two RACGP awards for which members of the public are eligible to submit nominations.

Award criteria: A winner will be chosen from each state, and one national winner will be chosen from amongst the state finalists. This award will be judged on the following criteria:

  • The current accreditation status of the practice (nominations will only be accepted for this award where the relevant practice is an accredited practice)
  • The structure of the practice, including facilities for both patients and staff
  • The services provided to patients by the practice (eg. patient education materials, health promotion, preventative care, reminder systems)
  • Delivery of services to patients by practice staff
  • An outline of what differentiates the practice from other practices
  • Details of current involvement in general practice teaching

Previous winners of the RACGP General Practice of the Year award cannot be considered for this award again until a period of at least five years has lapsed. The list of previous winners is available online.

Industry-nominated awards

National RACGP awards

Rose-Hunt Award

The Rose-Hunt Award is the highest accolade awarded by the RACGP. The award is a gift from the Royal College of General Practitioners to the RACGP.

The Rose-Hunt is awarded to one person who is a Fellow or a member and who, in the opinion of the Board, has rendered outstanding service in the promotion of the objectives of the RACGP, either by individual patient care, organisation, education, research or any other means.

Outstanding service may be over a period of 10 years or a substantial and significant contribution to general practice over a shorter period.

All nominations must be accompanied by a current curriculum vitae of the nominee, together with descriptive evidence of their worthiness for the award.

Nominations can be made by any two Fellows of the RACGP. Further information regarding the Rose-Hunt award can be found here.

Life Fellowship is awarded to an existing RACGP Fellow in recognition of outstanding and meritorious service to the RACGP.

Nominations can be made by two members of the RACGP, of whom at least one must be a Fellow.

Honorary Fellowship may be awarded to RACGP members, and members of other colleges or academies. In very special or unusual circumstances, non-medical persons may be considered for eligibility.

The general criteria which should be followed when considering eligibility are exceptional and meritorious service to general practice in the fields of education, research or administration. This award is conferred upon individuals whose accomplishments are of such excellence that they provide inspiration and leadership to Fellows of the RACGP, and who bring honour and distinction to the RACGP.

Nominations can be made by two Fellows of the RACGP.

Honorary Membership may be awarded to persons who do not hold a registrable medical qualification and have given long and meritorious service to the RACGP and/or general practice.

Nominations can be made by two members of the RACGP, of whom at least one must be a Fellow.

Nominees: General Practice Supervisor of the Year nominees must be current financial members of the RACGP and hold unconditional medical registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (Ahpra). Nominees for this award must also be currently accredited as a supervisor under the terms of the RACGP Standards for general practice training.

Nominators: Nominations for this award can be made by a member of the general practice profession, member of a recognised training program or member of General Practice Supervision Australia (GPSA).

Award criteria: A winner will be chosen from each state, and one national winner will be chosen from amongst the state finalists. This award will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Understanding and commitment to general practice and training/mentoring
  • Performance as a general practitioner
  • Role model as a trainer/mentor; and
  • Involvement in delivery of registrar training eg. organisation/administration

Previous winners of the RACGP General Practice Supervisor of the Year award cannot be considered for this award again until a period of at least five years has lapsed. The list of previous winners is available online.

Nominees: General Practitioner in Training of the Year nominees must be current financial members of the RACGP and hold unconditional medical registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (Ahpra). Nominees for this award must also be currently enrolled in a recognised training program within the 12 months prior to the close of award nominations.  

Nominators: Nominations for this award can be made by a member of the general practice profession or a member of a recognised training program.

Award criteria: A winner will be chosen from each state, and one national winner will be chosen from amongst the state finalists. This award will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Commitment to general practice and to learning
  • Satisfactory academic progress
  • Service to patients, practice and education; and
  • Services to the community

The Corlis Medical Educator award commemorates the contribution of the late Dr Wilson (Bill) Corlis to the RACGP’s standing as a leader in medical education.

This award recognises an RACGP member and/or Fellow who has contributed substantially to the education and mentoring of doctors who are on any of the RACGP pathways to Fellowship.

Nominations can be made by any financial member of the RACGP.

The Future Leaders President’s Medal recognises an individual who has demonstrated exceptional contributions to leadership within general practice and the RACGP.

Nominators must upload a written statement (maximum 1000 words) outlining the nominee's contributions, leadership qualities and potential for future impact on the profession or within the RACGP. The nominees' detailed leadership behaviours and competencies should align with the domains outlined in the RACGP’s Future Leaders Program framework. Supporting documentation may include, but is not limited to:

  • examples of the nominees' leadership initiatives within the RACGP or the broader general practice community
  • testimonials from colleagues, patients or other stakeholders highlighting the nominee's leadership abilities and impact
  • publications, presentations, or other evidence of the nominee's professional contributions; or
  • Achievements or awards related to the nominee's leadership and service.

Nominations for the Future Leaders President's Medal can be made by any financial member of the RACGP. The nominee must be currently enrolled or a graduate of the program to be eligible for the award.

The Prof Charlotte Hespe Research Award is presented to a registrar (academic or non-academic) who has conducted research or a project during training that is considered most outstanding. The registrar must be enrolled in a recognised training program or have Fellowed in the 12 months prior to the closing date for award nominations.

Nominations must address the following criteria:

  • The relevance or importance of the research or project to general practice and/or general practice training.
  • Appropriateness of methods used for the research or project question.
  • Rigour in which the research or project was conducted, with consideration of the resources available.
  • Importance or relevance of results of the research or project to general practice and/or general practice training.

Nominations can be made by any financial member of the RACGP.

The Dr Jeremy Bunker Award recognises outstanding achievement by an RACGP staff member, supervisor, registrar or former registrar who has completed training within the last three years.

In 300-500 words, nominators should outline the overall public benefit to the nominee’s activity, considering originality, inventiveness and/or best practice.

Nominations can be made by any financial member of the RACGP.

The Morton Rawlin Award commemorates the outstanding contribution of Assoc Prof Morton Rawlin, who was one of the founders of the National Faculty of Specific Interests in 2010 and the Inaugural Chair.

The Morton Rawlin Award is awarded to one person who is a Fellow, Member or Associate of the RACGP and a member of a Specific Interest Group (SIG) who has contributed substantially to general practice by developing an interest in a specific area based on the needs of their community, and who has demonstrated a commitment to improve the health and wellbeing of their local community. 

Nominations will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated commitment to the Specific Interests Faculty.
  • Demonstrated commitment to learning and developing in their area of specific interest.
  • Demonstrated evidence of innovative thinking.
  • Evidence of commitment and service to the community in which they work.
  • Evidence of mentorship, advocacy and training. 

Nominations may be made by any two RACGP members of which at least one must be a Fellow. Nominators do not need to belong to a SIG to be eligible to nominate. 

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health awards

The Standing Strong Together Award celebrates partnerships between GPs and communities. RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health presents this award to any Fellow(s) or member(s) of the RACGP who have worked together with an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person or community group to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

Nominations are invited from any Fellow or member of the RACGP or any group of GPs (one of whom must be a Fellow of the RACGP) that has worked in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a way that is sustainable and has applicability to other partnerships.

Such partnerships could include:

  • providing quality healthcare, access to healthcare and/or continuity of care to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
  • running an event or program that encourages better health outcomes
  • educating others to enable them to provide high-quality, culturally appropriate healthcare
  • introducing changes to healthcare services that result in better health outcomes, or
  • conducting research into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health for the purpose of improving health outcomes.

Nominations for this award must include separate statements from both parties involved in the partnership.

The winner of this award (individual GP or GP group representative) will receive registration to the RACGP National Conference and Awards Ceremony (GP25 Brisbane), return economy airfares and an accommodation allowance.

The RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Growing Strong Award recognises exceptional Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander GPs in training. 

The award is open to all registrars on a recognised training pathway who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Commitment to GP training and learning
  • Service to patients, practice and education (including any research activities)
  • Interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
  • Demonstrated commitment to giving back to the community in which they work

Nominees for the Growing Strong Award must be nominated by two individuals, including one RACGP Fellow. All nominees will be asked to consent to their nomination and to supply a supporting statement outlining how the award would support their professional development. 

The winner of this award will receive registration to the RACGP National Conference and Awards Ceremony (GP25 Brisbane), return economy airfares, an accommodation allowance and $5000 cash prize to support their journey towards Fellowship.

The RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Rising Strong Medical Student Award is open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander medical students currently studying at an Australian university.

Nominees of the Rising Strong Medical Student Award must be a current Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander medical student at an Australian university, have an interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and intent to specialise in general practice. 

Nominees are required to provide a written statement (max. 600 words) which outlines the ways in which the award would support their professional development, including:

  • study, volunteer or work-related experience to date
  • reasons for planning a future in general practice
  • interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
  • how attending the national conference would contribute to your professional development, and
  • any other relevant information.

The winner of this award will receive registration to the RACGP National Conference and Awards Ceremony (GP25 Brisbane), return economy airfares, an accommodation allowance and $5000 cash prize to support their ongoing professional development.

The Aunty Val Dahlstrom Award for Aboriginal Health Excellence recognises excellence in Aboriginal health by an RACGP staff member, supervisor or registrar.

In a 300-500 word statement, nominators should identify the overall achievement of the nominee relating to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health with respect to originality, innovation or best practice.

Nominations can be made by any financial member of the RACGP.

Rural awards

The Brian Williams Award is presented by RACGP Rural to commemorate the work of Dr Brian Williams, a rural GP and medical educator. It is the highest accolade awarded by RACGP Rural to an RACGP member who has made a significant contribution to the personal and professional welfare and wellbeing of rural GPs. 

The aim of this award is to acknowledge medical practitioners, whose mentoring and support enables rural GPs to safely dedicate themselves to their patients, their families and their communities.

Two nominators are required for this award (one nominator and one seconder). Nominations can be made by two RACGP Fellows, or one Fellow and one member of the RACGP.

The Rural Generalist of the Year recognises an exceptional Rural Generalist Fellow (FRACGP-RG or FARGP) who demonstrates a commitment to improve the health and wellbeing of communities in rural or remote Australia. 

Nominations will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated commitment to the rural generalist profession
  • Demonstrated commitment to professional development as a rural generalist
  • Evidence of service to rural patients
  • Evidence of commitment and service to the rural practice in which the nominee works
  • Evidence of service to the rural community in which the nominee practices or has practiced.

Two nominators are required for this award (one nominator and one seconder). Nominations can be made by two RACGP Fellows, or one Fellow and one member of the RACGP. 

The Rural Registrar of the Year recognises an exceptional general practice registrar who demonstrates a commitment to improve the health and wellbeing of communities in regional, rural or remote Australia. 

Nominees must have been working within MM 3-7 locations for 12 months prior to the close of award nominations and be a registrar currently enrolled in an RACGP training program (AGPT/FSP/RVTS) or RACGP-RG/FARGP Fellowship.

Nominations are judged on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated commitment to rural general practice
  • Demonstrated commitment to learning and developing as a rural GP
  • Evidence of service to rural patients
  • Evidence of commitment and service to the rural practice in which they work
  • Evidence of service to the rural community in which they practice or have practiced
  • Identification of how the award will support the nominee's professional development.

Two nominators are required for this award (one nominator and one seconder). Nominations can be made by RACGP members, members of the general practice profession, medical educators or general practice supervisors.

The Rural Medical Student of the Year is awarded to a medical student who is a member of a rural health students’ club at an Australian university who submits the best essay (maximum 1200 words) on the topic outlined below.

2025 topic:
Think about a positive experience with an educator during a rural placement. What was it that made the experience positive? Reflect on the key lessons and how these lessons will impact your future medical practice.

Nominees must also be current student members of the RACGP. Each essay nomination will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated understanding of rural general practice
  • Demonstrated evidence of innovative thinking
  • Interest in a career in rural general practice.

Essays must be submitted in .pdf format to be accepted by the nomination system.

The Rural Community Research Project of the Year is presented to an RACGP member that completed an innovative research project over the last financial year which directly contributed to healthcare improvement in a rural or remote general practice, and positively impacted the town’s community.

This award is open to all RACGP members including Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP) or Rural Generalist Fellowship recipients who have completed a community project as part of their training requirements.

The award will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated contribution to healthcare improvement in a rural or remote general practice
  • Demonstrated evidence of innovative thinking.

 Nominees are able to self-nominate for this award.

Frequently asked questions

The RACGP Awards are an annual awards program designed to recognise and celebrate those GPs, registrars, supervisors, medical educators and practices who are demonstrating excellence in general practice and going the extra mile for the health of their communities.
 
Each award has different eligibility criteria. You can find the individual criteria in the section above titled ‘RACGP Award categories and criteria’.
 
Each RACGP Award has different nomination criteria, and we encourage you to check these before nominating to ensure your submission is accepted. Nomination guidelines can be found in the section above titled ‘RACGP Award categories and criteria’.
 
Self-nominations are only accepted for the following awards:
  • RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Rising Strong Medical Student Award
  • RACGP Rural – Rural Medical Student of the Year
  • RACGP Rural - Rural Community Research Project of the Year
All other awards must be nominated by peers or members of the public, as per individual award criteria.
This means any person who works in a general practice environment, including general practitioners, practice administrative staff, practice nurses, allied health practitioners, etc.
 
This means any person who works within a recognised training program, including supervisors, mentors, medical educators and general practice training staff.
 

Our commitment to excellence includes rigorous conflict of interest management, and therefore any related parties will not be permitted to judge nominees with whom they have an actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest. All conflicts of interest in the judging of award nominees will be subject to the Conflict of interests and related party transactions policy.

In addition, no members of the Awards of the Board Committee, Rural or State Faculty office bearers are eligible to nominate or be nominated for any RACGP Awards.
 

Each award is judged against a set of criteria by a judging panel. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health awards and Rural awards will be judged by council members of those faculties.

State awards will be judged by state faculty council members, and national awards will be judged by the RACGP Awards of the Board Committee, with endorsement from the Executive team and Board.
 

All award winners are invited to attend that year’s national ceremony and associated annual RACGP conference where they will receive a commemorative trophy and/or certificate. Digital winners’ kits are also provided.

A small number of awards also have an associated cash prize. These awards are:

  • Prof Charlotte Hespe Research Award
  • Dr Jeremy Bunker Award for Outstanding Achievement in General Practice Training
  • The Aunty Val Dahlstrom Award for Aboriginal Health Excellence
  • Growing Strong Award
  • Rising Strong Award.

Further details on award prizes and entitlements are available within the Awards of the Board Terms of Reference.

For the General Practitioner of the Year, General Practice of the Year, General Practice Supervisor of the Year and General Practitioner in Training of the Year awards, a winner will be chosen from each state, and one national winner will then be chosen from among the state finalists for each category.
Yes. However, the nominee must live in the state for which you nominate them.
 

Yes. If you win, you’ll be notified by our awards team before the awards are publicly announced.

All other eligible but unsuccessful nominees will also be contacted prior to the national awards ceremony to congratulate them on their nomination and advise them that they were not successful on this occasion.

State awards are announced during the Fellowship presentation ceremony for each state (held sometime between September and November depending on the state).

In 2025, National awards will be presented during a ceremony held at the annual RACGP National Conference (GP25) in Brisbane this November.

Further information

For all enquiries relating to the RACGP Awards, please email us.

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