Training and support

These Government programs and initiatives are targeted at university departments of rural health, medical students, trainee specialists, practising rural doctors, and doctors who trained outside Australia.

They aim to

• improve standards of education and training to ensure regional Australians have access to well-trained health professionals
• help rural doctors keep up with mandated continuing professional development
• address the imbalance between urban and rural doctors.

Undergraduate programs

Scholarships, incentives and placement programs for medical students interested in working in regional Australia.
see all undergraduate programs

• Rural Australia Medical Undergraduate Scholarship (RAMUS)
• Multidisciplinary Rural Training Network - University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH)
• Multidisciplinary Rural Training Network - Rural Clinical Training & Support (RCTS)
• Multidisciplinary Rural Training Network - John Flynn Placement Program (JFPP)
• Multidisciplinary Rural Training Network - Dental Training Expanding Rural Placements (DTERP) Program
• Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme – Allied Health Scholarships
• Bonded Medical Places (BMP) Scheme
• Medical Rural Bonded Scholarships (MRBS) Scheme
• NT Medical School – Northern Territory Medical Program (NTMP)

Vocational programs

Training programs and incentives for GPs and specialists.
see all vocational programs

• Australian General Practice Training Program (AGPT)
• Specialist Training Program (STP)
• Specialist Training Program - Diagnostic Imaging - Enhancing the Rural and Remote Workforce Scheme (DI-ERRWS)
• Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS)
• Prevocational GP Placements Program (PGPPP)
• 19AA of the Health Insurance Act 1973

Continuing professional development

Continuing professional development training and support programs for health professionals.
see all in continuing professional development

• Continuing Education & Training Support
• National Rural and Remote Health Program
• The Rural Procedural Grants Program
• GP Procedural Training Support Program
• Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and GPs through Medicare Benefits Schedule initiative - Professional Development

Locum programs

Financial help for health professionals to allow them to take time off work.
see all locum programs

• Rural Obstetrician and Anaesthetist Locum Scheme (ROALS)
• Rural Locum Education Assistance Program: Procedural Training - Urban Doctors
• Nursing and Allied Health Rural Locum Scheme (NAHRLS)

Overseas trained doctors

Legislation and recruitment programs that aim to improve the distribution of the medical workforce in Australia.
see all Overseas trained doctors

• 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973
• International Recruitment Strategy (IRS)
• OTD Scaling
• 5 Year Overseas Trained Doctor (OTD) Scheme
• Additional Assistance Scheme (AAS)
• Rural Locum Relief Program (RLRP)
• DoctorConnect website

Support

Legislation and recruitment programs that aim to improve the distribution of the medical workforce in Australia.
see all support

• Workforce Support for Rural General Practice
• Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement

Financial incentives

Financial incentives for health professionals aimed at encouraging them to move to and stay in rural and remote areas.
see all financial incentives

• General Practice Rural Incentives Program (GPRIP) - GP Component
• General Practice Rural Incentives Program (GPRIP) - Registrars Component
• General Practice Rural Incentives Program (GPRIP) - Rural Relocation Incentive Grant
• HECS Reimbursement Scheme
• Medicare Plus for Other Medical Practitioners Program (MOMPs)
• Rural Other Medical Practitioners Program (ROMPs)
• Higher Bulk Bill Incentives in Regional, Rural and Remote Areas - Tasmania and Metropolitan Areas
• Dental Relocation and Infrastructure Support Scheme (DRISS)