5-Year International Medical Graduates Recruitment Scheme

This scheme was previously known as the Five Year Overseas Trained Doctors Scheme.

About the initiative

The scheme offers incentives to International Medical Graduates (IMG) subject to the section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (Act) and required to work in areas of greatest need. Incentives of the scheme include:

• providing IMGs with valuable general practice experience in rural settings
• reduce the time an IMG must work in a Distribution Priority Area (DPA) under their 10-year moratorium.

Why it is important

IMGs play an important role in helping to meet the healthcare needs of Australians living in rural and remote areas.

The program's goals are to:

•  increase the supply of appropriately qualified IMGs in regional, rural and remote Australia
•  enhance the professional development, skills and knowledge of IMGs in Australia
•  maintain the number of doctors working in general practice in regional, rural and remote Australia.

Meeting our goals

The scheme provides incentives to IMGs to work in locations which are:

• in an area classified as regional, rural or remote
• considered a DPA.

To be eligible for the scheme, IMGs must:

•  hold specialist registration in general practice with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra)
• be registered on a section 3GA training program and working towards attaining specialist registration in general practice with Ahpra.

You must also:

• hold or obtain appropriate registration with the Medical Board of Australia
• hold or intend to gain permanent Australian residency or citizenship 
• provide at least 7 sessions a week in general practice as part of your placement.

Guidelines

The 5-Year International Medical Graduates Recruitment Scheme Guidelines outline the roles and responsibilities for scheme participants and administrators.

All decisions relating to the scheme must comply with these guidelines.

Who we work with

Rural Workforce Agencies manage the scheme.

Contact

If you are an overseas trained doctor interested in participating in the scheme, contact the relevant RWA for more information.