Further Information
SPECIALIST PATHWAYS FOR TRAINING DERMATOLOGISTS
Further Information
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
For detailed information on how Australia’s health system works please click here
Accent on Speech
A Brisbane based company providing support and tuition to specialists who have English as a second language and wish to improve on their pronunciation. Please refer to their website for more details:
Australian Health Practitioner regulation Agency
There are different categories of registration in each profession. For information about registration as a health practitioner in each of the 14 health professions regulated under the National Scheme go to the website for the relevant National Board.
Australian Healthcare System and Medical Practice
The College recommends that you take the time to read through the following two modules before applying for Specialist Recognition
Medicare Provider Number Legislation
The College strongly recommends that you visit the Doctowebsite to ensure that you understand the restrictions for IMGs who wish to work in private practice and obtain a Medicare provider number after being recommended for Specialist Recognition
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Overseas Trained Doctors (OTDs) and Foreign Graduates of Accredited Medical Schools (FGAMS) who gained their first medical registration or became permanent Australian residents or citizens on or after 1 January 1997 are not eligible for a Medicare provider number for a period of 10 years.
What does this mean?
It means that if you wish to work in private practice and be issued a Medicare provider number to enable your patients to access Medicare benefits, you must wait for a period of 10 years.
Can you be exempted from this rule?
You can only be exempted from this rule if you work in a District of Workforce Shortage (DWS) area. DWS areas are determined by the Department of Health and are generally not in metropolitan areas
DWS determinations support the restriction of Medicare provider numbers to minimise the workforce maldistribution and shortage in Australia.
Yes. Participants are able to reduce the waiting period through the Scaling Initiative which encourages participants to work in a DWS in a rural or remote area.
The total time credited in days is deducted from the end date of the Return of Service Period according to the following discount rates:
| ASGC-RA Classification | Scaling Discount |
| RA2 – Inner Regional Australia | 9 years |
| RA3 – Outer Regional Australia | 7 years |
| RA4 – Remote Australia | 6 years |
| RA5 – Very Remote Australia | 5 years |
Search the MAP to determine the ASCG Remoteness Areas
