About the Bonded Medical Places Scheme

The Bonded Medical Places (BMP) Scheme has been replaced by the Bonded Medical Program. Some doctors are still active participants in the BMP Scheme.

About the scheme

The Bonded Medical Places Scheme has closed to new applicants. It accepted participants between 2004 and 2019.

This scheme provided a Commonwealth Supported Place at a medical school in an Australian university.

In exchange, after they graduate, participants must work for a specified period in an eligible regional, rural or remote area. We call this a ‘return of service obligation’ (RoSO).

The scheme aims to provide more doctors in areas of workforce shortage, particularly in regional, rural and remote Australia. This ensures that Australia’s medical workforce is well distributed, flexible and targeted to areas of most need.

For the full details about the scheme, read your Deed of Agreement (DoA) or Deed of Variation (DoV) and the Bonded Medical Places Scheme student information booklets for 2004–2015 participants and 2016–2019 participants.

Participant obligations

A participant’s obligations to the Commonwealth are different across schemes and programs and depend on their individual DoA or DoV. For more detail about your specific obligations, please refer to your DoA or DoV.

The Bonded Medical Places Scheme has different obligations for 2004–2015 participants and 2016–2019 participants.

2004–2015 participants

2004–2015 participants agreed to:

  • become a medical practitioner within 10 years of starting the medical course
  • attain fellowship within 16 years of starting the medical course
  • begin RoSO within 12 months of obtaining first fellowship
    • up to 50% of RoSO can be completed pre-fellowship
    • RoSO requires 20 hours per week (or 80 hours over the month)
  • complete RoSO in an eligible location in line with your DoA or DoV
  • only provide professional services in an eligible location from the date you attain fellowship and the date you complete your obligation
  • work for at least 9 months of each full calendar year
  • work for at least 3 months in any period of 6 consecutive months unless the Minister for Health has otherwise agreed
  • apply and gain approval for all pre-fellowship work before you finish your placement, to allow it to be credited towards reducing your obligation. Pre-fellowship work must be completed in 12-week blocks (minimum period)
  • provide evidence of post-fellowship employment on at least a 12-monthly basis
  • update your details as your circumstances change.

2016–2019 participants

2016–2019 participants agreed to:

  • become a registered medical practitioner within 10 years of commencing your medical course
  • start training in a vocational program within 13 years of beginning your medical course
  • attain fellowship within 16 years of beginning your medical course
  • complete your RoSO within 5 years of beginning the return-of-service period
    • up to 100% of RoSO can be completed pre-fellowship
    • RoSO requires 35 hours per week (or 140 hours over a month)
  • apply and gain approval for all pre-fellowship work before you finish your placement, to allow it to be credited towards reducing your obligation. Pre-fellowship work must be completed in a 12-week blocks (minimum period)
  • not work outside eligible locations between the date of fellowship and the date you complete your RoSO
  • update your details as your circumstances change.

How to get a copy of your DoA or DoV

Email us using the subject line:

BMPS – [Your name] – Requesting a copy of my DoA/DoV

Bonded Medical Program contact

Contact us about the Bonded Medical Program, Bonded Medical Places Scheme, Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship Scheme and the Bonded Return of Service System portal. To help us quickly categorise and address your request, include in the subject line: ‘[Scheme/program name] – [your name] – [request]’.
Date last updated:

Help us improve health.gov.au

If you would like a response please use the enquiries form instead.