Students / trainees

BMP Scheme - Return of Service Obligation

In return for choosing to undertake your medical study in a university place funded through the BMP Scheme, you are required (through the Deed of Agreement) to work in Districts of Workforce Shortage (DWS) for a period equal to the length of your medical course:

• less any periods of eligible pre-vocational or vocational training, and
• less any period of credit obtained through Scaling

Your return of service obligation commences once you have qualified and attained Fellowship of a specialist college, including general practice.

As a BMP Scheme doctor you can choose where you work, and for whom you work, when undertaking the return of service obligation. The only requirement is that you work in an eligible District of Workforce Shortage (DWS) for your specialty, including general practice.

You can choose where you undertake your training; training does not have to be undertaken in a DWS. However, you may be able to reduce your return of service obligation by undertaking training in eligible areas. You can undertake up to half your return of service during pre-vocational training and vocational training.

Please note that, as stated in your Deed of Agreement, you must obtain written approval from the Department prior to commencing pre-vocational or vocational training for that training to be deemed eligible and count towards reducing your return of service period.

You can seek permission to defer the return of service period in special circumstances. BMP Scheme participants are entitled to take breaks in their study and during the return of service period following the birth or adoption of a child or to complete additional postgraduate education.

Further Information

• Return of Service Obligation: eligible locations
• Pre-vocational training
• District of Workforce Shortage (DWS)
• GP vocational training
• GP once practising
• Specialist (non-GP) vocational training
• Specialist once practising
• Review of Decision Process
• Return of Service Application Form
• Tenure Aplication Form
• Dr Connect
• Bonded Medical Places (BMP) Scheme

For more information on your return of service obligation, please contact the BMP Scheme.