What the Bonded Medical Program is
The Bonded Medical Program provides students a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) in a medical course at an Australian university. This is in return for a commitment to work in eligible regional, rural and remote areas for 156 weeks (3 years) after the completion of their medical course. This commitment is referred to as a Return of Service Obligation (RoSO).
The Program is open to all Australian citizens and permanent visa holders through participating universities offering bonded places. Participating universities manage applications and bonded offers. You must meet the same entrance requirements as any other student applying for a medical place.
The conditions and requirements of the Program are legally binding and are available at:
Please note that HECS-HELP applies as the Program is not a scholarship.
If you need more information about applying for a bonded place in an Australian university, please contact your chosen university directly.
Existing participants of the 2 closed legacy schemes can apply to opt in to the Bonded Medical Program:
What BRoSS is
The Bonded Return of Service System (BRoSS) is the web-portal to help bonded participants to plan, monitor and manage their RoSO and obligations under the Program.
Bonded participants are responsible for ensuring their BRoSS record is kept up to date. This includes information about:
- their RoSO
- the achievement of milestones
- events to meet their legislative requirements.
Program goals
The Program started on 1 January 2020 and helps address the shortage of medical professionals in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. It aims to:
- create a more equitable healthcare system, by increasing the number of doctors in these underserved regions
- improve equity of access to medical services for all Australians, regardless of where they live.
The Program is an important part of our Stronger Rural Health Strategy. It will ensure that the Australian trained medical workforce is well-distributed, flexible and targeted to areas that need the most help.
It will also support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by promoting better health outcomes for people living in remote areas. It will improve healthcare access and addresses key social determinants of health, such as:
- income
- employment
- job security
- working conditions.
By providing healthcare professionals with opportunities in these areas, the Program helps to:
- reduce economic disparities
- encourage community self-determination
- empower individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing.
