Section 19AB of the Act restricts access to Medicare benefits and requires overseas trained doctors (OTDs) and foreign graduates of accredited medical schools (FGAMS) to work in a district of workforce shortage (DWS) for 10 years from their first Australian medical registration in order to access Medicare benefits arrangements.

All section 19AB exemptions are location specific. Make sure you apply for a new section 19AB exemption and Medicare provider number for each location from which you intend to provide medical services.

Click on the link below to see 19AB Flowchart. You can put yourself in the Flowchart and see if you are restricted by 19AA of the Health Insurance Act.

19AB Flowchart

Overseas trained doctors from various countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, UK, Germany, USA, New Zealand, Iran etc. can apply for 19AB exemption for a GP job in DWS location anywhere in Australia.

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Tags: 19ab flowchart, 19ab restriction, dws, medicare provider number, medicare provider number eligibility