The Australian Government has recently amended Part VD of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (Act) to enhance the Bonded Medical Program (Program).
The Act amendment received Royal Assent on 4 November 2025. More information about the amendments is available on our website.
To implement the Act amendments, we also needed to amend the Health Insurance (Bonded Medical Program) Rule 2020 (Rule).
Amending the Bonded Medical Program Rule
In late 2025, we sought feedback on additional proposed improvements to the Program through the Bonded Medical Program – Potential Rule Amendment Consultation. More than 300 participants, universities, and professional bodies responded. Feedback from this survey shaped the advice provided to the Minister.
The Health Insurance (Bonded Medical Program) Amendment (2025 Measures No. 2) Rule 2025 instrument was registered on 19 December 2025. It will now be tabled in each House of Parliament and is subject to a disallowance period of 15 sitting days.
Summary of Rule amendments
- Former Medical Rural Bonded Scholarships Scheme and Bonded Medical Places Scheme participants who completed Program compliant work prior to opting into the Program can now have that work recognised as counting towards their Return of Service Obligation (RoSO).
- The requirement that half of the RoSO had to be fulfilled after obtaining fellowship or 12 years after finishing medical school has been removed.
- Former Bonded Medical Places Scheme 2016–2019 participants can complete their RoSO pro-rata on a part-time or per day basis.
- Streamlined reporting requirements:
- Telehealth services now only require evidence the service was provided from an eligible location.
- The number of Notifiable Events participants must report on has been reduced from 10 to 6.
- Participants have greater flexibility reporting their RoSO plans.
You can see all amendments here Health Insurance (Bonded Medical Program) Amendment (2025 Measures No. 2) Rule 2025 - Federal Register of Legislation
Next steps
We are updating our processes, documentation and the Bonded Return of Service System to reflect these amendments.
We are contacting all affected participants with details about how these changes are being implemented.
Thank you for your patience during this period of transition.