GP Planned Care Training Fund
Funding is available to help GPs and GP trainees develop the skills needed to provide more planned care in primary and community settings, so patients can receive care sooner and closer to home. The fund may contribute towards course fees, backfill or locum cover, and eligible travel and accommodation costs.
About the fund
The GP Planned Care Training Fund supports training that strengthens the delivery of planned care in primary and community settings and aligns with agreed national and regional path ways. This is not a credentialling programme. If you already have the relevant skills, you do not need to undertake training through this fund to demonstrate your capability.
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The current priority is training that supports the delivery of:
Women’s health: abnormal uterine bleeding and pelvic prolapse.Dermatology: skin lesions and dermoscopy.
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The maximum contribution available is:
$10,000 for a rural GP
$6,000 for an urban GP
Funding may be used for:
Course fees
Backfill or locum cover
Travel and accommodation
All expenses must meet the eligibility criteria.
Funding is not guaranteed. Expressions of interest will be assessed against the eligibility criteria and prioritised based on demonstrated need and available funding.
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You can apply for funding for a planned care course of your choice, provided the training: Supports the delivery of planned care in a primary or community setting is accredited or endorsed by a relevant professional body, such as the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) or the New Zealand Dermatological Society (NZDS)Attracts continuing professional development (CPD) points is delivered by a suitably accredited or endorsed provider. Training may be delivered through: Online learning. Workshops in person study. Blended learning View the suggested training providers (PDF). This list is not exhaustive. You may propose another suitable provider if the training meets the fund’s requirements.
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GPs and GP trainees can apply if they meet all the following criteria: Work in Te Waipounamu | the South Island, including Nelson Marlborough, Canterbury, South Canterbury, the West Coast, Otago or Southland. Are employed or contracted by a primary or community healthcare provider, such as a general practice, Hauora Māori provider, Pacific provider, PHO or community provider. Provide frontline care in a primary or community setting, including applicants with a mix of primary and hospital based roles. Are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident. Hold a current practising certificate. Meet the entry requirements of the proposed education or training provider. Intend to use the training to deliver planned care services in their community. You are not eligible if the training is already fully funded through another source. You work exclusively in a specialist role without a sustained primary care component
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If demand exceeds the funding available, eligible expressions of interest will be prioritised using equity and access considerations. These may include rurality, population need, local service gaps and the delivery of care to Māori, Pacific and other priority populations.
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A rural GP is someone practising in a general practice classified as rural under the Geographical Classification of Health (GCH), or in a practice receiving a PHO Services Agreement rural subsidy. An urban GP is someone practising in an urban general practice or community setting. Travel and accommodation funding may be available to rural practitioners and where travel to attend training exceeds 60 kilometres.
Ready to apply?
Funding is limited. Submit your expression of interest to be considered for GP planned care training funding.
Terms and Conditions
If you meet the eligibility criteria, we encourage you to submit an expression of interest
The application and reimbursement process aims to be simple and proportionate, while maintaining appropriate accountability for public funding.
Completed applications will be reviewed by the South Island | Te Waipounamu Training Funds Working Group, which includes primary and community care health professionals.
Approved funding will be paid to the employing provider, not directly to the individual applicant, following receipt of an invoice from the employer for the approved amount.
If your application is approved, you and your employer will be asked to enter a contract.
Approved applicants must:
Provide evidence of how the funds were used.
Submit a short evaluation form after completing the training.
Guidelines for prioritising EOI
Where funding is oversubscribed, the EOI will be prioritised using an equity and access framework. This will include a focus on the delivery of planned care and will be in communities that are rural, have a high proportion of Māori, Pacific, deprivation and other priority populations.
Your Questions Answered
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We are working towards monthly review and decision on applications received, starting in late-July 2026.
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The maximum total funding available per individual applicant is capped at $10,000 (rural) $6,000 (urban).
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The Planned Care Training Funds Advisory Group for Te Pounamu Training Funds working group will review and decide about all applications received. It is likely only one application per individual per financial year will be approved.
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The funding will be subject to clawback.
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Conferences and workshops in NZ may be considered only where there is a specific training and skills development component relevant to EPCC planned care.
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The University of Otago has an GCH address finder. The GCH will be displayed when you enter the general practice’s address.
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No.
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No. This funding is to support clinicians access training not for equipment
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Priority is given to funded training that is accredited or endorsed by a relevant professional body.
If this is the most accessible training option please email us to take to the clinicians providing leadership to the distribution of these funds.
Questions
If you have any questions, please email Te Waipounamu Workforce Development Hub at