Area of Need

An Area of Need (AON) is any position/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. Most overseas trained doctors (OTDs) are required to work in an Area of Need when they first come to Australia, unless they hold full Australian medical registration or have completed the standard pathway for specialist assessment or for GP/family physician assessment.

Unlike the Districts of Workforce Shortage, which are determined by the Department of Health and Ageing, Areas of Need are determined by the State and Territory Governments and methods of defining them vary.

Before applying for a position in Australia, you will need to understand whether you are required to work in an Area of Need by completing the Checklist for OTDs.

If you are required to work in an Area of Need, you should check with the Australian employer or medical recruitment agency that the job for which you are applying is located in an approved Area of Need. Area of Need approval must be obtained by the Australian employer.