The Australian Medical Council (AMC) National Framework for Prevocational Medical Training (National Framework), introduced in 2024, describes the national standards and requirements for prevocational (PGY1 and PGY2) training programs and terms.
Postgraduate Medical Council’s use these standard to accredit health services providing training programs for PGY1 and PGY2 doctors.
The information below has been developed to provide practical guidance for implementing the National Framework in the Victorian health care setting and is designed to complement the National Framework.
The National Framework can be accessed via the AMC website.
Questions should be directed to accreditation@pmcv.com.au
Table of Contents
Program-level Requirements
PGY1
PGY1 requirements are aligned with the Medical Board of Australia General Registration standard.
Length
- Minimum 47 weeks (excludes annual leave but may include up to two weeks of professional development leave).
Structure
- 5-term clinical year.
- Minimum 4 discreet terms/rotations in different specialties of at least 10 weeks.
- Maximum of 25% (one term/rotation) in any one subspecialty and a maximum of 50% in any one specialty (including its subspecialties).
Clinical Experience
Exposure to Clinical Experience:
- A: Undifferentiated illness patient care
- B: Chronic Illness patient care
- C: Acute and Critical illness patient care
- D: Peri-operative/procedural patient care
PGY2
PGY2 doctors enrolled in a vocational training program are exempt from meeting these requirements.
Length
- Minimum 47 weeks.
Structure
- 4-term clinical year.
- Minimum 3 discreet terms/rotations in different subspecialties of at least 10 weeks.
- Maximum of 25% (one term/rotation) in any one subspecialty.
- Maximum one term/rotation in a non-clinical specialty (pathology, public health, research, medical administration or medical education).
Clinical Experience
Exposure to Clinical Experience:
- A: Undifferentiated illness patient care
- B: Chronic Illness patient care
- C: Acute and Critical illness patient care
Exposure to Clinical Experience D: Peri-operative/procedural patient care is not required at the PGY2-level.
PGY2 College Requirements
The AMC National Framework for Prevocational Training (NFPMT) will be fully implemented across the state of Victoria beginning in 2026.
This introduction has led to many Vocational Training Colleges requiring prevocational doctors to obtain the PGY2 Certificate of Completion as one requirement to be eligible for consideration for entry into their chosen specialty training.
Expand this section to find links to Colleges that currently require, or will require in the future, the PGY2 Certificate of Completion or make specific reference to the components of the Framework.
Time-based Considerations
The National Framework is competency based – i.e. The progression point is achieved when the outcomes are met.
There is no requirement to ‘pass’ every term, though there is a requirement to have adequate exposure to and satisfactory progress in each Clinical Experience as determined by the Assessment Review Panel.
Can prevocational doctors count the whole 10 weeks of a 10-week term/rotation if they take leave?
The National Framework does not specify when or how leave should be taken as it is an industrial issue and outside the AMC’s remit.
In general, a 10-week term/rotation counts as a 10-week term even if leave is taken during it, for the purposes of meeting the National Framework requirements.
When planning leave, consider the range of experience and the ability to achieve the outcomes across the year. Where possible, it is PMCVs recommendation that leave is scheduled during double terms/rotations or a term/rotation where the prevocational doctor will have a second opportunity to have exposure to the same Clinical Experience.
Leave considerations if greater than 10 days
If a prevocational doctor is absent for more than 10 working days within the required 47 weeks (such as for sick leave, personal leave or carer’s leave), the Assessment Review Panel will commence a review and continue monitoring the doctor’s progress.
This review and monitoring allow the panel to assess at the end of the year whether that doctor has met the required training standard and can be recommended to progress to the next level of training.
(Page 35, Training environment | Requirements for prevocational training programs and terms)
PGY1 extensions and the impact to PGY2
“If the minimum 47 weeks requirement is not met due to remediation requirements from PGY1 in PGY2 (for example, repeating a PGY1 term in PGY2) the Assessment Review Panel will have discretion to certify the individual based on successful remediation, and a consensus the individual has longitudinally met the outcomes of PGY1 and PGY2 and level expected at the end of PGY2.” (Page 35, Training environment | Requirements for prevocational training programs and terms)
This means that if PGY1 remediation training time is taken during PGY2, it does not preclude the prevocational doctor from completing PGY2 in their second calendar year, at the discretion of the Assessment Review Panel.
Broad Generalist Experience
The intent of the National Framework is to provide broad generalist experience during prevocational medical training, as the first two years as a doctor are crucial to medical graduates’ development as competent and compassionate medical practitioners.
The PMCV Accreditation Committee has defined the following principles for each training-level.
PGY-level Requirements
PGY1:
Required:
- Each PGY1 doctor must undertake at least one Emergency and/or General Practice term/rotation.
Recommended:
- A General Surgery and/or General Medicine term/rotation is recommended.
PGY2:
Recommended:
- An Emergency and/or General Practice term/rotation.
The definition of broad generalist experience has an increase in leniency from PGY1. Broader application of Clinical Experiences may be considered.
Split Terms/Rotations
Whilst the AMC supports innovation in prevocational education, health services must provide a prevocational training program and terms that deliver both the training-level requirements and assessment requirements, of the two-year framework.
The PMCV Accreditation Committee has defined the following principles in respect to split terms.
Principle One: Term Composition and Clinical Experience Alignment
- A maximum of one split term is permitted per training-level (PGY1/PGY2)
- The composition of the split term must be limited to two clinical units of the same Clinical Experience (A, B, C or D) classification
- The split must be of equal ration (50:50)
Principle Two: Term Discussions and Assessments
Health services must consider the appointment of the Term Supervisor/s and the approach to beginning of term discussion, Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) and term assessments.
Approaches that may be considered include:
- The appointment of a lead Term Supervisor that is responsible for liaising with the other clinical unit
- The appointment of two Term Supervisors each responsible for proving input throughout both stages of the term
It is PMCVs recommendation that at least one EPA assessment is undertaken in each unit.
Term Description Development
A standalone Term Description detailing the structure and experience of the split term will need to be developed and endorsed by the PMCV Accreditation Committee.
Specialty and Subspecialty
The AMC National Framework defines the maximum time permitted in any one specialty and/or subspecialty. It is important to note that:
- Time limitations are PGY-level dependent.
- The classification into specialty/subspecialty is considered by the Accreditation Committee with reference to the relevance for Prevocational Training and may differ to other definitions used for alternate purposes.
Double Terms/Rotations
To uphold the broad generalist experience intent of the National Framework, the PMCV Accreditation Committee has defined the following training-level principles in respect to double rotations.
Double rotations permitted at PGY1-level
- Emergency
- General Practice
- General Surgery
- General Medicine
Where possible, each term/rotation should be undertaken at a different location and/or in different units (eg. Gen Med A and Gen Med B rather than repeating Gen Med A). This is to maximise the opportunity for broad exposure to learning experiences through exposure to a range of supervising clinicians and clinical cases.
Double rotations permitted at PGY2-level
Only 25% of the year may be spent in one subspecialty.
Relief/Service/ Nights Terms
The National Framework defines a Service/Relief Rotation as a term/rotation where the prevocational doctor is either rostered to provide ward cover on night shifts (service nights term) or rotated through a number of accredited terms/rotations for short periods of time to backfill for doctors on leave (relief service term).
Please note that a Service Term Description is still required.
What are the characteristics of service terms/rotations?
Two characteristics of service terms/rotations are:
1. discontinuous learning experiences, such as limited access to the formal education program or regular unit learning activities, and,
2. less or discontinuous supervision, such as nights with limited staff
PGY-level considerations
PGY1:
- In general, PGY1 doctors should not undertake service/relief terms/rotations.
PGY2:
- PGY2 doctors can spend a maximum of 25% of the year (one term/rotation) in a service term.
Can service terms/rotations be allocated a Clinical Experience?
In their current form, many of these terms fall outside the criteria required for an accredited term/rotations within the National Framework. Whilst this does not preclude prevocational doctors participating in service terms/rotations, it does mean that the term/rotation is not allocated a Clinical Experience, Term Supervisor, or assessment component.
PMCV acknowledges that some service terms/rotations may be allocated a Clinical Experience classification. Please refer to the criteria below as defined by the PMCV Accreditation Committee.
The PMCV Accreditation Committee has defined the following criteria for the classification of Clinical Experience to Relief/Service/Nights terms:
Supervision Arrangements
There must be clear supervision arrangements – this includes defined contact with the registrar and consultant staff:
- Access to supervision on nights – usual staffing and ratios in hospital will be considered, including role of defined planning and check in meetings between the rostered night staff.
- Defined consultant level Term Supervisor with clearly described regular interactions in acknowledgement of the reduced supervisory interactions overnight.
o Ability to discuss and review cases with a supervisor on a regular basis to promote learning.
o Clear hospital escalation protocols.
Orientation
There must be robust orientation to ensure the prevocational doctor is aware of:
- Supervision expectations
- Escalation process and expectations
Structure and Experience
The term/rotation must be predominantly in one specialty group rather than moving frequently between clinical units as this precludes longitudinal feedback and learning.
Considerations must be taken in context of whole year – how much cover/nights is embedded in other terms/rotations.
There are unit-based terms where nights and cover are embedded for a number of weeks.
If the amount of time spent in cover is at least 40% of the term then this term may be considered for Clinical Experience A: Undifferentiated Illness depending on the unit and opportunities involved.
Clinical Experiences
The National Framework introduces four Clinical Experiences that aim to foster broad generalist experience throughout prevocational medical training (PGY1 and PGY2).
PGY1 doctors are required to have exposure to all four Clinical Experiences, whereas PGY2 doctors are only required to have exposure to Clinical Experience A, B and C.
The four Clinical Experiences are:
Prevocational doctors must have experience in caring for, assessing and managing patients with undifferentiated illnesses.
Prevocational doctors must have experience in caring for patients with a broad range of chronic diseases and multi-morbidity.
Prevocational doctors must have experience in managing the acute care of patients.
Prevocational doctors must have experience with managing patients undergoing procedures.
How are terms/rotations classified?
The way in which terms/rotations are classified may depend on a range of factors including the setting, medical staff mix, volume and acuity of patients, access to outpatient clinics, ambulatory care and other settings, as well as the designated roles and responsibilities of prevocational doctors within the team. Therefore, not all terms/rotations within the same specialty will necessarily be classified in the same way, but instead will depend on the local clinical context, patient case mix and available learning opportunities.
How many Clinical Experience/s can be classified to a term/rotation?
While some terms/rotations are recognised to offer exposure in all four areas of patient care, the intention is to classify terms according to the one or two (at most) areas of patient care that a prevocational doctors will primarily gain exposure to during the term/rotation.
If a term/rotations is offered at both the PGY1 and PGY2 level, can the Clinical Experience differ?
It is the expectation of the PMCV Accreditation Committee that the allocation of Clinical Experience would be aligned for both PGY1 and PGY2.
In circumstances where the Clinical Experience differs, the health service will be expected to provide justification at the time of new/change in post application.
Who is responsible for determining the Clinical Experiences for the term/rotation?
The Clinical Head of Unit is responsible for determining the Clinical Experience classification. It is PMCVs recommendation that this is done in consultation with the Term Supervisor/s, prevocational doctors and Medical Education Unit.
The PMCV Accreditation Committee is responsible for reviewing and endorsing the classification.
How often should the Clinical Experience be reviewed?
It is recommended that the Clinical Experience allocation is reviewed on an annual basis, at the time of review of the Term Description and/or unit handbook.
Where are Clinical Experiences recorded?
The Clinical Experience classification for each term must be reflected on the Term Description, yearly rotation planner and Clinical Learning Australia.
Is there a minimum time exposure for each Clinical Experience?
The AMC National Framework does not specify a minimum time exposure.
PMCV recommends that to ensure adequate exposure:
- No more than two weeks of annual leave should be allocated to a term if this is the only exposure to that Clinical Experience in the yearly planner.
- A higher annual leave allocation may be taken during a term/rotation if there is a second opportunity for exposure to do the same Clinical Experience.
It is possible that, at the discretion of the health services Assessment Review Panel, up to one more week of other leave, such as sick or personal leave, may still provide the PGY1 doctor with adequate exposure to a Clinical Experience.
Each prevocational doctor must ensure they also meet the EPA expectations of the term/rotation.
Are prevocational doctors expected to be competent in each Clinical Experience?
There is no requirement to achieve competency for each Clinical Experience. Consequently, there is no requirement to pass every term. If an end-of-term global rating is marked as conditional pass or unsatisfactory then the health service Assessment Review Panel should consider the appropriate rotation for improving performance.
Creating a Compliant Annual Planner
The National Framework introduces four Clinical Experiences that aim to foster broad generalist experience throughout prevocational medical training (PGY1 and PGY2).
PGY1 doctors are required to have exposure to all four Clinical Experiences, whereas PGY2 doctors are only required to have exposure to Clinical Experience A, B and C.
Step 1 - Confirm Accreditation status and Clinical Experience of all Terms/Rotations
The first step in creating an Annual Planner is to confirm the following with the Medical Education Unit:
- PMCV accreditation status of all clinical units and number of approved posts
- That all Clinical Experience classifications are up-to-date and accurate
- Specialty and subspecialty classifications of all units
Step 2: Creation of Annual Planner
The PGY1 and/or PGY2 Annual Planner must be created utilising PMCVs approved template. The templates and other resources can be accessed above.
Rotations lines must be structured in line with the AMC National Framework requirements.
Example PGY1 and PGY2 compliant and non compliant rotation lines can be accessed above.
Step 3 - Review, Endorsement and Distribution
Review and Endorsement:
All Annual Planners must be reviewed and endorsed by the PMCV Accreditation Committee prior to their release.
Annual Planners are due for review by September each year – early submissions are welcome.
Planners should be submitted via accreditation@pmcv.com.au
Please allow 2-3 weeks for the PMCV review process.
Distribution:
Once endorsed, the Annual Planner can be distributed to the incoming cohort.
Health services can determine their own local process, noting that each prevocational doctors rotation combinations must be uploaded to Clinical Learning Australia in preparation for the upcoming clinical year.
Rotation swaps should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Health services are responsible for ensuring any changes to endorsed rotation lines meet AMC National Framework compliance. PMCV can review rotation swaps at the request of the health service.
Page last reviewed 20th April 2026.