GP Component FAQs
Where are eligible locations?
Eligible locations are those within categories RA 2-5 of the Australian Standard Geographical Classification – Remoteness Areas (ASGC-RA) system.
Check your RA status
Check your RA status
What’s the ASGC-RA?
The ASGC-RA index was developed in 2001 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the most up to date geographical classification system as it contains the most recent (2006) census data.
More info on ASGC-RA
More info on ASGC-RA
What are the incentive payment rates?
Incentive payments are scaled according to location (the practice’s RA location), practice time (length of time medical services have been provided in rural and remote locations) and clinical workload. The table below sets out the maximum available payment according to location and practice time.
| RA Location | Practice Time in Rural and Remote Location | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 year | 1 year | 2 years | 3-4 years | 5+ years | |
| RA2(Inner Regional) | - | $2,500 | $4,500 | $7,500 | $12,000 |
| RA3(Outer Regional) | $4,000 | $6,000 | $8,000 | $13,000 | $18,000 |
| RA4(Remote) | $5,500 | $8,000 | $13,000 | $18,000 | $27,000 |
| RA5(Very Remote) | $8,000 | $13,000 | $18,000 | $27,000 | $47,000 |
When are incentive payments made for newly eligible medical practitioners?
Newly eligible medical practitioners under GPRIP receive their initial payment on completion of the appropriate qualifying period, providing they meet the continuous service requirement.
Medical practitioners in ASGC-RA2 locations will get the first payment when they’ve completed 4 active quarters.
Medical practitioners in ASGC-RA3-5 locations will get the first payment when they’ve completed 2 active quarters. (See ‘What’s an active quarter?)
These arrangements don’t apply for medical practitioners who are eligible for grandparenting. (See ‘What’s grandparenting?)
Medical practitioners in ASGC-RA2 locations will get the first payment when they’ve completed 4 active quarters.
Medical practitioners in ASGC-RA3-5 locations will get the first payment when they’ve completed 2 active quarters. (See ‘What’s an active quarter?)
These arrangements don’t apply for medical practitioners who are eligible for grandparenting. (See ‘What’s grandparenting?)
What’s grandparenting?
From 1 July 2010, grandparenting arrangements apply for medical practitioners who’ve received payments or were qualifying for payments under the previous Rural Retention Program (RRP). These medical practitioners will be paid whichever is the higher of the payments assessed under GPRIP and RRP, provided they meet the continuous service requirements.
Grandparenting arrangements apply up to and including the June Quarter 2013. While grandparenting remains in place, these practitioners will continue to be assessed each year under both GPRIP and RRP, until they become better off under GPRIP.
Grandparenting arrangements cease if a medical practitioner ceases to qualify for a payment.
Grandparenting arrangements apply up to and including the June Quarter 2013. While grandparenting remains in place, these practitioners will continue to be assessed each year under both GPRIP and RRP, until they become better off under GPRIP.
Grandparenting arrangements cease if a medical practitioner ceases to qualify for a payment.
How are incentive payments calculated for medical practitioners currently receiving RRP payments?
Medical practitioners who received RRP payments and have maintained their continuous service requirements will receive whichever is the greater of:
- the new payment amount under GPRIP
- the payment amount they would have received under RRP.
How are incentive payments calculated for medical practitioners completing pre-qualifying periods under RRP?
From 1 July 2010, medical practitioners who’ve completed a RRP qualifying period and maintained their continuous service requirements, will receive whichever is the greater of:
- the new payment amount under GPRIP
- the payment amount they would have received under RRP.
Are incentive payments taxed?
Payments under GPRIP are not subject to Pay As You Go (PAYG) withholding tax.
Recipients must, however, declare incentive payments for tax purposes, and are advised to seek advice from their financial adviser, accountant or the ATO regarding their own tax arrangements.
Recipients must, however, declare incentive payments for tax purposes, and are advised to seek advice from their financial adviser, accountant or the ATO regarding their own tax arrangements.
What are the continuous service requirements?
They are: 4 active quarters in every 8 quarters. An ‘active’ quarter is one where the value of Medicare billed items for eligible services provided by the approved medical practitioner in eligible locations meets the active quarter threshold of $4,000.
To maintain eligibility under the GP Component, medical practitioners must meet this continuous service requirement.
Medical practitioners who are inactive for more than 4 quarters in every 8 will need to re-start the qualifying period for that location (unless they’ve applied for and received approval for extended leave through the relevant RWA).
Quarters under the GP Component are identified as:
To maintain eligibility under the GP Component, medical practitioners must meet this continuous service requirement.
Medical practitioners who are inactive for more than 4 quarters in every 8 will need to re-start the qualifying period for that location (unless they’ve applied for and received approval for extended leave through the relevant RWA).
Quarters under the GP Component are identified as:
| Quarters | Months |
|---|---|
| March quarter | January, February, March |
| June quarter | April, May, June |
| September quarter | July, August, September |
| December quarter | October, November, December |
How is the maximum payment worked out?
The maximum annual payment is made to medical practitioners whose clinical workload is confirmed by Medicare records as having met or exceeded the annual payment threshold of $80,000.
What if I only work part-time?
Medical practitioners who meet the ‘active’ quarter threshold (ie $4,000 per quarter) but who do not meet the maximum annual payment threshold ($80,000/$20,000 per quarter) are paid on a pro-rata basis.
Do incentive payments increase if medical practitioners move to more remote locations?
Yes. Retention payments are scaled according to the RA category of the location(s) in which the highest amount of Medicare services are provided in each quarter.
Are Medical Practitioners on Bonded Medical Places (BMP) Scheme and Medical Rural Bonded Scholarships (MRBS) eligible for GPRIP payments?
Yes. Medical practitioners under the BMP and MRBS schemes who meet the eligibility requirements for GPRIP may receive payments under GPRIP.
If I am a newly eligible practitioner who provided services in an ASGC-RA 2 for one quarter, and then an ASGC-RA 3 for the next quarter, am I eligible for a six monthly payment?
No, if in your first two active quarters under GPRIP the majority of your billing during one of those quarters is in an ASGC-RA 2 location, you will automatically be assessed as needing to complete four active quarters in order to receive your first incentive payment (regardless of whether subsequent quarters are in ASGC-RA 2 or higher).
The Department of Human Services’ (DHS) automated payment system will determine this, if you are unsure if your activity has been assessed as being predominantly in ASGC-RA 2, please contact DHS on 1800 010 550.
The Department of Human Services’ (DHS) automated payment system will determine this, if you are unsure if your activity has been assessed as being predominantly in ASGC-RA 2, please contact DHS on 1800 010 550.
Will I always get six monthly payments?
No. Only newly eligible medical practitioners will receive a six monthly payment following their first two active quarters in ASGC-RA 3-5 locations. After one year of service practitioners will receive their first annual payment, after which time they will (should they continue to meet eligibility requirements) receive payments on an annual basis.
Medical practitioners who are inactive for more than 4 quarters in 8 (without approved leave) may need to re-start the qualifying period which may result in a payment following six months of activity.
Medical practitioners who are inactive for more than 4 quarters in 8 (without approved leave) may need to re-start the qualifying period which may result in a payment following six months of activity.
When do I get my first GP payment after completing Registrar training?
Each medical practitioner’s situation and history is different, hence there is no uniform answer to this question. Upon completing Registrar training, GPET will send notification to the DHS who will in turn notify the Department of Health and Ageing (the Department). The Department will then determine a ‘annual payment point’ for the practitioner based upon their history on the program.
When the practitioner reaches that payment point, the Department will calculate a pro rata GP payment for the period between finishing training with AGPT, and their new annual payment point (assuming the practitioner has been active during this time). This is called a ‘transition payment’. Should practitioners wish to learn more about their own unique transition payment and when it is due, they should contact the Department at GPRIP@health.gov.au.
When the practitioner reaches that payment point, the Department will calculate a pro rata GP payment for the period between finishing training with AGPT, and their new annual payment point (assuming the practitioner has been active during this time). This is called a ‘transition payment’. Should practitioners wish to learn more about their own unique transition payment and when it is due, they should contact the Department at GPRIP@health.gov.au.
If I have been working in a rural location for over 10 years, do I get payments at the 5+ year level?
Not necessarily. GPRIP is an amalgamation of two predecessor programs, the RRP and the Registrars Rural Incentives Payments Scheme (RRIPS). If the location that you were working in prior to the introduction of GPRIP on 1 July 2010 was an eligible location under these programs, the time spent will be included in your year level for GPRIP.
If the location was not eligible under RRP or RRIPS, you will be assessed as a newly eligible medical practitioner. If you are not sure if your location was eligible, please contact the Department at GPRIP@health.gov.au
If the location was not eligible under RRP or RRIPS, you will be assessed as a newly eligible medical practitioner. If you are not sure if your location was eligible, please contact the Department at GPRIP@health.gov.au
What should I do to access incentives under GPRIP if I have returned to work after over 12months leave?
If you have been on leave for over four quarters for upskilling and secondary training (up to 18mths) or maternity leave (24mths) you will have fallen off the DHS automated payment system due to inactivity. Once you have returned from leave and completed four active quarters in an eligible location, you will need to complete a FPS application form for payment.
This will ensure that you are not re-set to year level one as a result of your eligible leave. If you need assistance with this process, please contact the Rural Workforce Agency (RWA) in your State or the Northern Territory.
This will ensure that you are not re-set to year level one as a result of your eligible leave. If you need assistance with this process, please contact the Rural Workforce Agency (RWA) in your State or the Northern Territory.
I have been providing primary care services in a very remote location and received a GPRIP payment; however it doesn’t seem like enough when I look at the payment table. What should I do to ensure I am receiving the appropriate amount of financial incentives under GPRIP?
There are two different payment systems under the GPRIP, the Central Payment System (CPS) and the Flexible Payment System (FPS). The CPS is a fully automated system which is based upon medical practitioners Medicare billing activity. Medical practitioners that are providing primary care services in rural and remote locations may find that the value of their Medicare billing does not accurately reflect their workload. For example, a practitioner providing primary care in an Aboriginal Medical Service may utilize the Medicare system very little.
Under the GPRIP, practitioners in locations that are classified as ASGC-RA 4-5 may apply for a ‘top up’ payment under the FPS if they feel that their activity was not adequately captured under the CPS. Applications for payments under the FPS should be directed to the RWA in your State or the Northern Territory.
Under the GPRIP, practitioners in locations that are classified as ASGC-RA 4-5 may apply for a ‘top up’ payment under the FPS if they feel that their activity was not adequately captured under the CPS. Applications for payments under the FPS should be directed to the RWA in your State or the Northern Territory.
Are there any other financial incentives available to me if I decide to move to a more remote location?
Yes. The GPRIP offers a relocation grant to medical practitioners relocating to a more remote area than where they have been providing services for the past 12months. Applications for a Rural Relocation Incentive Grant can be made through the DHS, and applicants must be approved prior to relocation in order to be eligible for incentives. Further information on the RRIG is available on the DrConnect website, or by contacting the Department at GPRIP@health.gov.au
If I have completed my Registrar training with the AGPT, and recently received Fellowship, do I need to do anything?
When transitioning practitioners from the Registrar to GP components of GPRIP, DHS relies on information from GPET that medical practitioners have received Fellowship of either the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.
In order to assist in this process, medical practitioners should send a copy of their Fellowship letter to their Regional Training Provider (RTP) for their records.
In order to assist in this process, medical practitioners should send a copy of their Fellowship letter to their Regional Training Provider (RTP) for their records.
More information
For more information or help on GPRIP: GP Component:
call Medicare Australia on 1800 010 550; or
email the Department of Health and Ageing at GPRIP@health.gov.au; or
contact the RWA in your State or the Northern Territory:
call Medicare Australia on 1800 010 550; or
email the Department of Health and Ageing at GPRIP@health.gov.au; or
contact the RWA in your State or the Northern Territory:
- Northern Territory - General Practice Network Northern Territory (08) 8982 1000
- South Australia – Rural Doctors Workforce Agency South Australia (08) 8234 8277
- Western Australia – Rural Health West (08) 6389 4500
- Tasmania – Health Recruitment Plus Tasmania (03) 6334 2355
- New South Wales - New South Wales Rural Doctors Network (02) 4924 8000
- Queensland – Health Workforce Queensland (07) 3105 7800
- Victoria – Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (03) 9349 7800