Role
The current core responsibilities of the Distribution Working Group (DWG) are to:
- review the District of Workforce Shortage (DWS) for specialists system
- advise whether the current methodology for DWS for specialists, Distribution Priority Area (DPA) for GPs and the Modified Monash Model (MMM) systems encourage a better distribution of medical professionals to areas of greatest need
- review, assess and advise the Minister for Regional Health about applications from areas that request a review of their DPA classification.
The inaugural DWG met from 2017 to 2018. See their archived terms of reference. We formed a new committee in 2019.
Terms of reference
The current DWG terms of reference detail the group’s roles and responsibilities.
Members
The First Assistant Secretary of our Health Workforce Division chairs the group. It consists of 2 independent advisors and representatives from the:
- Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
- Australian Indigenous Doctors Association
- Australian Medical Association
- National Rural Health Alliance
- National Rural Health Commissioner
- Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
- Primary Health Networks
- Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
- Royal Flying Doctors Service
- Rural Doctors Association of Australia
- Rural Workforce Agency Network.
Meetings
The DWG aims to meet 4 times a year. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this schedule.
From November 2021, the DWG will meet fortnightly until it has worked through the large number of new DPA exceptional circumstances review applications awaiting review. It will review all currently held applications by the end of February 2022.
Communiques
Distribution Working Group – Communiques
Exceptional circumstances reviews and outcomes
The DWG reviews requests to change an area’s classification. See how to request a review of a DPA classification.
We publish the outcomes of reviews regularly. We upload these consolidated updates into the Health Workforce Locator regularly.
The most recent outcomes include:
State/territory | GP catchment | DPA status outcome | Outcome summary |
---|---|---|---|
NSW |
Murwillumbah |
Granted |
The DPA status of Murwillumbah was considered by the DWG in October 2022. The following factors were considered:
DPA status is granted until the next DPA update on 1 July 2023, effective from the date of publication of this outcome (28/11/2022). |
NSW |
Port Kembla |
Granted |
The DPA status of Port Kembla was considered by the DWG in October 2022. The following factors were considered:
DPA status is granted until the next DPA update on 1 July 2023, effective from the date of publication of this outcome (28/11/2022). |
QLD |
Gold Coast |
Not granted |
The DPA status of Gold Coast North was considered by the DWG in October 2022. The following factors were considered:
The ABS Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) indicator is 3 (with 1 being the most disadvantaged and 5 being least disadvantaged).
A change of DPA status is not supported as the catchment is well serviced in terms of GP services access. |
QLD |
Strathpine |
Not granted |
The DPA status of Strathpine was considered by the DWG in October 2022. The following factors were considered:
A change of DPA status is not supported as the catchment is well serviced in terms of GP services access. |
SA |
Salisbury |
Not granted |
The DPA status of Salisbury was considered by the DWG in October 2022. The following factors were considered:
A change of DPA status is not supported as the catchment is well serviced in terms of GP services access. |
VIC |
Bacchus Marsh-Melton |
Not granted |
The DPA status of Bacchus Marsh-Melton was considered by the DWG in October 2022. The following factors were considered:
A change of DPA status is not supported as the catchment is well serviced in terms of GP services access. |
VIC |
Casey North |
Not granted |
The DPA status of Casey North was considered by the DWG in October 2022. The following factors were considered: The GP FTE per 1,000 residents in 2021 is 1.4, which exceeds the MM 2 average of 1.1. GP Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) in this catchment has increased from 190.7 GP FTE to 204.7 GP FTE, equating to a 7.3% increase over the past four years. GP FTW in this catchment has therefore exceeded growth in GP FTE in the same period. The ABS Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) indicator is 4 (with 1 being most disadvantaged and 5 being least disadvantaged). Population growth in the GP catchment of Casey North has been low over the four years to 2022 (1 percent) A change of DPA status is not supported as the catchment is well serviced in terms of GP services access. |
For further information on previous reviews and outcomes see Previous exceptional circumstances reviews and outcomes.