OBJECTIVE To assess the acceptability and benefits to general practitioners (GPs) of a short course on the management of depression and anxiety. METHODS One hundred and twenty-two GPs from southeast metropolitan Melbourne participated in a five-session short course. Pre- and post-measures of knowledge, attitude and self-evaluated clinical practice and a post-measure of participant satisfaction were completed. RESULTS The course was overwhelmingly appreciated by participating GPs. In the group as a whole, knowledge, attitude and certain elements of clinical practice changed in a positive and predicted direction. General practitioners affirmed the use of an interpersonal and problem-solving framework for patients more commonly than a cognitive-behavioural one. CONCLUSIONS Brief educational interventions are useful and, through improving GP knowledge, attitude and clinical practice, have an important role to play in enhancing the capacity of GPs to assist people with depression and anxiety.