What is a district of workforce shortage?
Commonwealth of Australia Health Insurance Act 1973
In 1996 section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 was amended to restrict access to Medicare benefits by international medical graduates. This Medicare provider number restriction (commonly known as the ten year moratorium) was introduced as a means of restricting the number of doctors applying for a provider number in areas where there is no workforce shortage.
An international medical graduate without a qualification equivalent to a Fellowship from an accredited Australian College, who has Limited Registration from the Medical Board obtained after 1 November 1996 will be subject to section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 and therefore generally must work in a District of Workforce Shortage for 10 years in order to access Medicare Benefits.
For further information refer to the Department of Health and Ageing website.
Definition of districts of workforce shortage
The Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing defines a District of Workforce Shortage as a geographic area in which the general population need for health care is not met and if a district has significantly less access to medical professional services of the type provided by applicants than the national average. A Delegate of the Minister in the Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing applies this determination.
Information on the locations of districts of workforce shortage may be found on the Australian Government's Doctor Connect website.
Applications to the SA IMET, Department of Health for a determination of Area of Need requires evidence the location is a District of Workforce Shortage. Information about the relevant location and medical services can be obtained from the Australian Governments Doctor Connect website.
Special consideration for particular classes of applicants
There are some exemptions granted to section 19AB of the Act.
Academics. Exemptions for academic positions do not require a workforce shortage to be determined because there is a clear public interest in academic medical works when the person is engaged at senior lecturer level or higher.
Occupational Trainees. Exemptions for occupational trainees are not considered in the context of workforce shortage because the doctors are in training positions. Occupational trainee exemptions are generally only granted for 12 months.
Non-specialist in hospitals. Section 19AA of the Act requires that all doctors first registered on or after 1 November 1996 are recognised general practitioners, specialists, or consultant physicians in order to provide services which attract Medicare rebates. Applications from doctors without postgraduate qualifications will be assessed for work in Districts of Workforce Shortage on the basis of analysis of all non-specialists in the district in which the hospital is located.
General Practice training placements under section 3GA of the Act. Exemptions are granted for medical practitioners who are accepted by the Australian General Practice Training Program for work performed as part of their training on the conditions that the work is performed in rural areas. These need not necessarily be Districts of Workforce Shortage.