More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP)

As announced during 2018-19 budget, the Government is thinking to provide incentives for non VR doctors to qualify as vocationally recognised (VR) or specialist GPs and to practice outside major cities. Warning: Please note that there are many recent changes to Medicare provider number legislations including introducing new 3GA programs and cessation of few 3GA

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What is District of Workforce Shortage (DWS)?

A district of workforce shortage (DWS) is an Statistical Area (SA2) in which the local population has less access to Medicare-subsidised medical services when compared to the national average. District of Workforce Shortage (DWS) areas are identified using the latest Medicare billing statistics and the latest residential population as per the ABS. 

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Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973

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

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Section 19AA of the Health Insurance Act 1973

Section 19AA of the Act was introduced to recognise and support general practice as a vocational specialty, and to provide a framework for achieving long term improvements in the quality of doctors working in Australia. All medical practitioners restricted by section 19AA are unable to access Medicare benefits unless they apply to participate on anapproved

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