Five Year Overseas Trained Doctor Recruitment Scheme

The Five Year Overseas Trained Doctors Recruitment Scheme (the Five Year Scheme) provides assistance and incentives to attract and retain experienced GPs to remote locations. The Five Year Scheme assists suitably qualified and experienced International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to practise in rural and remote locations that have experienced difficulties in recruiting and retaining general practitioners.

IMGs are limited by Medicare Provider Number restrictions for a period of between five and ten years depending on the ASGC-RA (Remoteness Area) classification of the location of the medical practice. The Five Year Scheme provides a reduction in the 10 year moratorium on provider number restrictions under section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act).

By participating in the Five Year Scheme and committing to work in remote locations in South Australia, IMGs can reduce the time restriction to between three to five years.

To be eligible to receive the benefits of the Five Year Scheme, applicants must:

complete the required terms of service in a location deemed eligible for the Scheme;
attain Fellowship from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners or Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine;
attain permanent residency or Australian Citizenship.

The RDWA administers the Scheme in South Australia in accordance with the Department of Health’s Five Year Overseas Trained Doctors Recruitment Scheme Guidelines.

IMGs wishing to participate in the Scheme apply to the RDWA. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the following:

Recognised general practice training and qualifications falling within Category 1 or Category 2 of the Specialist Pathway; or
Provide evidence they are eligible to be assessed for FRACGP or FACRRM within two years of commencing on the Scheme;
Hold or obtain appropriate registration with the Medical Board of Australia;
Intend to seek or currently possess permanent residency and/or Australian Citizenship; and
Will be providing at least 7 sessions a week as part of their placement.

For more information, please email the RDWA Recruitment team or call the RDWA on 08 8234 8277.

Five Year Overseas Trained Doctors Recruitment Scheme Guidelines