Can I work in a metro area as a non- VR…?

In short- It depends. This is for a couple of reasons. 

19AB

For our overseas trained doctors, you are restricted by 19AB meaning you can only work in a DPA area for 10 years from your first date of registration. There are a number of exemptions from 19AB however; there are other considerations that need to be considered as well.

AHPRA

If you are on Limited Registration Area of Need, the clinic you are seeking employment at will need to apply for an Area of Need Certificate before you apply to AHPRA (or ideally before you sit for a PESCI) meaning the area is in need of doctors. Whilst a metropolitan area is not automatically ineligible for a Area of Need Certificate, in our experience Area of Need certificates are not approved in Non DPA MMM 1 locations.

Residency (Visa or Permanent Residents/Australian Citizens)

If you are on a temporary visa the clinic you are seeking employment at will need to hold a Health Workforce Certificate. In our experience, they are rarely granted in Non-DPA locations.

If you are a Permanent Resident or Australian Citizen, you will be restricted by 19AA and will be required to join a 3GA program. All of these 3GA programs require an IMG to work in a MMM 2 - 7 location.

So, as a Non VR, how can you work in a metro location?

Option 1: If you are restricted by both 19AA & 19AB, and your spouse is working in a skilled occupation then once you have General AHPRA Registration, you can apply for a spousal exemption and apply to the General Pathway of AGPT.

Option 2: If you are restricted by 19AB only and you're on a visa and your spouse is working in a skilled occupation then you can apply for a spousal exemption. You will not be able to pursue Fellowship whilst working in a metro area because from 2022 it will be compulsory to participate on a Fellowship program to be eligible to sit the exams.

Options 3: You can apply for a refer & request provider number and not access Medicare. You will not be able to pursue Fellowship whilst working in a metro area.

We're reaching a time where the Australian Government has made it close to impossible for Non VR General Practitioners to work in a metro area. However; the more we populate rural Australia, the more resources will be available creating more metropolitan like areas within our regional centres.

Stay tuned for a series of blogs we're writing to display some of the great rural centres we already have in Australia.

How Can We Help?

Our team offer General Practitioners assistance with finding jobs and a career pathway, and Medical Facilities to find a new Medical Practitioner. We also help with the full application process with AHPRA, RACGP, ACRRM, Department of Health, Medicare including 19AA & 19AB. If we can help, please contact us at [email protected].