More Doctors for Outer Metropolitan Areas Relocation Incentive Grant: Information for specialists

Brochure for specialists: Have you ever considered working in an outer metropolitan area?

More Doctors for Outer Metropolitan Areas Relocation Incentive Grant

. GP registrars brochure
. GPs brochure
. Practice managers brochure
. Information for specialists
. Maps of eligible areas
. Guidelines
. Application form
. Contact the department

Set up your own private consulting practice
What is the Relocation Incentive Grant?
How much is the grant worth when setting up a new private practice?
What happens if a group of specialists opens a new private practice together?
What about a specialist joining an existing outer metropolitan practice?
Am I eligible?
What is regarded as an outer metropolitan area?
When will I get paid?
Need more information?

Set up your own private consulting practice

Have you ever wanted to set up your own private consulting practice or a new satellite consulting room in an outer metropolitan area? The More Doctors for Outer Metropolitan Areas Relocation Incentive Grant offers up to $40,000 to help you set up your own private practice in an outer metropolitan area.

What is the Relocation Incentive Grant?

The Relocation Incentive Grant is part of the More Doctors for Outer Metropolitan Areas Measure, an initiative that encourages doctors to work in outer metropolitan areas to help overcome medical workforce shortages.

The grant is available to both specialists and general practitioners in private practice.

How much is the grant worth when setting up a new private practice?

Specialists may be entitled to $40,000 if they set up their own outer metropolitan practice and work a minimum of five sessions a week at their new approved location for at least three years. Specialists who commit to four sessions or fewer a week may be entitled to $20,000.

What happens if a group of specialists opens a new private practice together?

If a group of specialists decide to open a new practice together, each member of the group may be eligible for a grant. They will need to provide evidence that they are all proprietors or owners of the new practice. That evidence may include a copy of the lease containing all the specialists’ names.

The grant amount for each specialist will be determined by the number of weekly sessions each of them commits to. Each specialist will be required to satisfy the eligibility criteria contained in the Relocation Incentive Grant Program Guidelines.

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What about a specialist joining an existing outer metropolitan practice?

Specialists who join an existing outer metropolitan practice and work a minimum of five sessions a week at their new location may be entitled to a $30,000 grant. If they work fewer than five sessions a week they may be entitled to a $15,000 grant. These specialists are required to commit to working for two years at the approved location.

Am I eligible?

Conditions do apply. You may be eligible for the grant if you:

are not subject to any Medicare provider number restrictions
have worked in an inner metropolitan area in the 12 months before applying
have not worked in an outer metropolitan or rural area in the 12 months before applying (if you have held short-term locum position you may still be eligible)
have submitted an application before starting at the new location, and
are setting up or joining a practice that is at least three kilometres from your present location.

What is regarded as an outer metropolitan area?

It may be closer than you think. The catchment area for this incentive now includes the outer metropolitan zones of all capital cities, and all of Darwin. Maps of eligible areas are available on-line at More Doctors for Outer Metropolitan Areas Relocation Incentive Grant web page.

When will I get paid?

You will be paid in three instalments:

40 per cent when you sign an agreement with the Department of Health and Ageing
40 per cent when the department has verified that you have started working in your new approved location, and
20 per cent 12 months after you became eligible for the second grant payment, subject to verification that you have met the conditions of your agreement during that year.