Metropolitan/outer-metropolitan general practices

General practices located in metropolitan/outer-metropolitan areas may obtain a Preliminary Assessment of District of Workforce Shortage if they meet the following requirements.

• the outer-metropolitan general practice is eligible for the incentives under the More Doctors for Outer Metropolitan Areas Measure (you can view maps in relation to eligible outer metropolitan areas); and
• the practice is able to demonstrate they have made a genuine attempt to recruit a doctor who is not subject to Medicare provider number restrictions, to the position by advertising the vacancy, and
• the practice must be located within a district of workforce shortage.

When applying for a Preliminary Assessment of District of Workforce Shortage, applicants must attach evidence of this advertising when applying and should note the following requirements:

• if the practice cannot demonstrate evidence of advertising, they are required to undertake an advertising process (of at least four weeks duration) before the preliminary assessment will be issued;
• advertisements must clearly state what position is available and the location of the position;
• Invoices for advertisements are generally not acceptable;
• evidence of advertisements placed in the previous 12 months are acceptable;
• advertisements in local division of general practice newsletters, medical magazines and journals, mainstream press and the internet are acceptable. Internet advertisements may require evidence of the length of time the advertisement appeared and that doctors would normally access the relevant internet site; and
• statements from medical recruiters approached by the practice may also be acceptable if the statement outlines what the recruiter did to try to attract a doctor to the position.

If you require further information on obtaining a Preliminary Assessment of District of Workforce Shortage, you can email the Workforce Regulation section in the Department of Health and Ageing at dws@health.gov.au or by facsimile on 02 6289 7900.