More Doctors for Rural Australia Program
This program is for doctors who are temporary or permanent residents of Australia and not vocationally recognised. Doctors on this program get support and training towards joining a college Fellowship program to become vocationally recognised.
What is the More Doctors for Rural Australia Program?
Doctors with placements work in rural areas to be able to access Medicare items from group A7 of the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
As a 3GA approved workforce program, doctors on this program satisfy section 19AA of the Health Insurance Act 1973.
Why is the More Doctors for Rural Australia Program important?
Doctors who are Australian residents must become vocationally recognised. This ensures the quality of our health care system.
Doctors on this program get support and training towards joining a college Fellowship program to become vocationally recognised.
What are the goals of the More Doctors for Rural Australia Program?
The More Doctors for Rural Australia Program’s goals are to:
- increase the number of vocationally recognised doctors
- improve access to health care for Australians living in rural and regional areas under the Stronger Rural Health Strategy.
How will these goals be met?
If you participate in this program, you must show you are working towards Fellowship. You must:
- make a minimum of one application to a Fellowship program each year. The Fellowship programs are:
- complete foundation general practice training modules within 6 months of commencing the program. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine determine the training modules
- ensure at least half of your annual professional development is relevant to general practice. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency requires you to complete annual professional development.
If you have less than 6 months general practice experience, you will be supervised. Read more about supervision requirements in the More Doctors for Rural Australia Program Guidelines.
You must also work in an area that is classified as:
Search the Health Workforce Locator to find eligible locations.
Who is involved?
Rural Workforce Agencies administer the More Doctors for Rural Australia Program on behalf of the Department of Health. Rural Workforce Agencies operate in each state and the Northern Territory.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible for the program, you must:
- hold a current registration with the Medical Board of Australia
- have an offer of employment
- have the necessary skills and experience to perform the role
- be a temporary or permanent resident
We will consider your previous 3GA placement history when assessing applications.
You are also eligible for a placement if you:
- work at a Aboriginal Medical Service
- hold an exemption under s19(2) or s19(5) of the Health Insurance Act 1973
If you are on an Other Medical Practitioner Program, you can continue at your existing location or apply for access at a More Doctors for Rural Australia program location, if eligible.
Doctors on other existing medical programs are not required to move to the More Doctors for Rural Australia Program.
How do I apply?
To apply for the More Doctors for Rural Australia Program, contact the Rural Workforce Agency in your state.
An initial placement is for 2 years. In some circumstances, you can seek an extension up to 4 years total.
Status
The More Doctors for Rural Australia Program is currently open for applications.
Contact
Contact the Rural Workforce Agency in your state for more information on the More Doctors for Rural Australia Program.