Area of Need

An Area of Need (AON) is any location in which there is a lack of specific medical practitioners or where there are medical positions that remain unfilled even after recruitment efforts have taken place over a period of time. Area of Need applies to both public and private sector positions. They are determined by the State and Territory Governments. Methods of defining them vary.

Most overseas trained doctors (OTDs) are required to work in an AON when they first come to Australia, so you will need to apply for Area of Need approval before offering a position to an OTD. Area of Need approval must be obtained by the employer---not an OTD.

If the position requires the doctor to provides services that will attract Medicare benefits, then it must also be in a District of Workforce Shortage (DWS) for an OTD to be eligible to fill the vacancy.