Focussed Psychological Strategies training subsidy

The FPS training subsidy will provide financial reimbursement to encourage eligible GPs to undertake accredited FPS ST and register with Services Australia (Medicare) as FPS providers.

Eligible GPs will be reimbursed $600 once they’ve successfully completed FPS ST and Services Australia has confirmed their FPS provider status. 

FPS are specific mental healthcare treatment strategies, derived from evidence-based psychological therapies. They include cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, psychoeducation and relaxation strategies. GPs skilled in FPS are better equipped to manage and support individuals experiencing difficulties with their mental health.

The delivery of FPS by GPs, particularly in rural and remote locations, gives people access to affordable and cost-effective psychological interventions where there’s a shortage or lack of psychologists and psychiatrists.

To be eligible for the FPS training subsidy, you must:

• be currently working as a GP or GP in training in Australia
• successfully complete the requirements of the accredited FPS ST after 1 August 2021
• be registered as a GP provider of FPS with Services Australia (Medicare) after 1 August 2021.

The GPMHSC encourages all GPs to apply, particularly GPs in training and GPs working in rural and remote MMM3–7 locations.

Complete the FPS training subsidy claim form and bank detail form found at the bottom of this page, and email them to gpmhsc@racgp.org.au

When submitting both forms, attach evidence of:

• enrolment and payment confirmation of accredited FPS ST (eg tax invoice or receipt)
• completion of accredited FPS ST (eg certificate of completion)
• supporting documentation that verifies your bank account details (screenshot of bank statement, bank deposit slip, signed and stamped letter from your bank, letter from your accountant confirming your bank details).

Only complete applications will be considered.

1. Enrol in accredited FPS ST and pay the cost of training.
2. Attend the training and complete the requirements for FPS ST.
3. Complete the application to register as a GP provider of FPS with Services Australia (Medicare) email it to gpmhsc@racgp.org.au
4. Await confirmation from Services Australia (Medicare) of your eligibility as a GP provider of FPS.
5. Complete the FPS training subsidy claim form and Bank details form found at the bottom of this page and email them to gpmhsc@racgp.org.au
6. Await confirmation of your eligibility to receive the FPS training subsidy claim from the GPMHSC within 10 business days.
7. Check your nominated bank account for a reimbursement of $600 within 30 days of the date the GPMHSC confirms your eligibility to receive the training subsidy.

Eligibility criteria

• Applicants must be currently working as a general practitioner (GP) in training or a GP in Australia.
• Applicants must complete accredited FPS ST from 1 August 2021.
• Prerequisites for the FPS training subsidy are payment and successful completion of accredited FPS ST. GPs must also be registered with Services Australia as a GP provider of FPS in the 2020–22 triennium.
• Applicants must pay for the FPS ST and attach evidence of payment (eg tax invoice or receipt) as part of their application to receive the subsidy.
• GPs who have previously completed FPS ST will not be eligible to access the FPS training subsidy.
• GPs will only be able to receive the FPS training subsidy once.
• Applicants who have or intend to received other FPS training grants, scholarships or other funded subsidies that relate to FPS ST in the last 12 months will not be eligible for the FPS training subsidy.
• Applicants currently enrolled or intend to take part in the Rural Workforce Agency (RWAV) FPS ST sponsorship programs will not be eligible for the FPS training subsidy.

Applying for and submitting the FPS training subsidy claim form

• To apply for the training subsidy, applicants must complete the FPS training subsidy claim form and Bank details form found at the bottom of this page
• When submitting the FPS training subsidy claim form, applicants must attach evidence of enrolment or payment of FPS ST (eg tax invoice or receipt) and completion of FPS ST (eg certificate of attendance).
• When submitting the Bank details form, applicants must provide a supporting document that verifies the applicant’s bank account details (eg bank deposit slip, bank statement with account details section only, or signed and stamped letter from the applicant’s bank).
• Applicants have 30 days to submit the FPS training subsidy claim form to the GPMHSC from the date Services Australia (Medicare) confirms their eligibility as a GP provider of FPS.
• Applications are assessed by the GPMHSC and eligible GPs are notified via email within 10 business days from the date the FPS training subsidy claim form is received.

Other important information

• The training subsidy is a fixed amount of $600. This is a partial reimbursement for the cost of the training and does not include other expenses incurred, such as travel or accommodation.
• The subsidy has been extended until 30 June 2023.
• ​To apply for the subsidy, you must have completed an accredited FPS ST course between 1 August 2021 to 30 June 2023.
• The $600 refund will be issued into the applicant’s nominated bank account within 30 days from the date the GPMHSC confirms receipt of a completed FPS training subsidy application (including all supporting documents – subsidy claim form, certificate of completion, tax invoice, bank detail form and bank statement verifying correct bank account details).
• The GPMHSC is funded by the Federal Department of Health. To enable both the GPMHSC and the Federal Department of Health to meet their contractual requirements, both organisations will be regularly sharing information consistent with the purposes of assessing eligibility, delivery and reporting the outcomes of the FPS training subsidy program.
• Information sharing will be strictly monitored and will not include applicants’ private information.