District of Workforce Shortage

A District of Workforce Shortage (DWS) is an area in which the general population’s need for healthcare has not been met. DWSs are determined by the Department of Health and Ageing and are linked to the provision of Medicare provider numbers. For the purpose of DWS evaluation, geographic divisions used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics are used. In general, a location is deemed a DWS if it falls below the national average for the provision of medical services. DWS only applies to medical jobs that need to provide services that attract Medicare rebates.

Medicare provider number restrictions apply to all overseas trained doctors (OTDs). By restricting the Medicare provider numbers issued to OTDs to Districts of Workforce Shortage, the Department aims to achieve an equitable distribution of medical services across Australia.

An exemption from the Medicare provider number restrictions may be granted if the doctor agrees to work in a location that has been identified as a DWS. Possessing this exemption enables a doctor to be granted a Medicare provider number and bill for services that will attract benefits from Medicare (Australia’s universal public health insurance scheme).

If you are a general practitioner (GP/family physician) who has identified a position for which you would like to apply, and you know the address of the practice, you might like to check the District of Workforce Shortage database for GPs to see if the address is currently listed in a DWS. This will act as a guide as to whether you are likely to be approved when it comes time to lodge an application for a Medicare provider number to practise in that location. Please note that this database is for general practice locations only.

FACTSHEETS
District of Workforce Shortage
Section 19AA
Section 19AB