About the Run-Off Cover Scheme (ROCS)

ROCS provides cover for claims made against doctors who have stopped private practice.

What is ROCS

ROCS helps doctors in private practice who have stopped working. It provides cover for incidents that:

  • occurred while they were working
  • have not yet been notified to insurers.

ROCS is one of the Australian Government’s medical and midwife indemnity insurance schemes.

Services Australia administers the ROCS for the government.

Why is it important

Previously, doctors faced significant costs for run-off cover. ROCS addresses this issue by providing secure and free run-off insurance.

Who is it for

ROCS is for doctors who have stopped paid private practice. See the full eligibility criteria.

What does it cover

ROCS cover is based on a doctor’s last cover. This usually means the cover they had before they stopped private practice.

Find out more about coverage under ROCS.

How it works

When doctors stop working and they are eligible for ROCS, their current or last medical indemnity insurer must:

The insurer can apply for a ROCS payment as reimbursement for claim costs.

Go to the Services Australia website to find out more about ROCS for insurers, including how to apply for payment.

Payments

The government charges a levy – the ROCS support payment – on medical indemnity premiums. This covers the ongoing cost of ROCS.

Find out more about payments for ROCS.

Reporting requirements

Medical indemnity legislation requires annual reporting on ROCS.

Legislation

The government set up ROCS under the Medical Indemnity (Run-off Cover Support Payment) Act 2004. Find out about the legislation that supports indemnity schemes.

Contacts

Medical and professional indemnity insurance contact

Contact us for general enquiries about the medical indemnity insurance schemes for privately practising doctors, allied health professionals and midwives. You can also contact us if you have general enquiries about medical and professional indemnity insurance policy.

Services Australia medical indemnity team

Contact this team for queries about applications and payments under the medical and midwife professional indemnity insurance schemes.
Date last updated:

Help us improve health.gov.au

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