Work as a Doctor in Australia
Section 19AA Factsheet
The Workforce Regulation Information HOTLINE will close on 5 May 2008
For information on section 19AA of the Health Insurance Act 1973 please contact 19AA@health.gov.au
Fax Sheet - Section 19AA of the Health Insurance Act 1973
What is section 19AA?
Section 19AA of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act) was introduced to recognise and support general practice as a vocational specialty, as well as to provide a framework for achieving long term improvements in the quality of doctors working in Australia.
Who is affected by section 19AA?
All doctors are subject to restrictions of section 19AA of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act) if they:
- held medical registration by an Australian Medical Board on or after 1 November 1996 and;
are Australian permanent residents or Australian citizens and;
do not hold Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, or hold specialist recognition.
Doctors who were registered before 1 November 1996 will also be subject to section 19AA if:
- on 1 November 1996 had completed intern or supervised training and;
on or after 1 November 1996 were not permanent residents or Australian citizens within the meaning of the Migration Act 1958 and;
are currently temporary resident or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents and;
do not hold Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, or hold specialist recognition.
Temporary resident or New Zealand citizen doctors are subject to section 19AA. However, if these doctors hold an exemption under section 19AB of the Act, they will be exempt from the requirements of section 19AA.
Doctors who complete their commitment to section 19AB (also known as the 10 year moratorium) are subject to the restrictions under section 19AA of the Act. This means that if a doctor completes their 10 year moratorium but has not gained fellowship or holds specialist recognition, they will still be subject to the restrictions.
All doctors restricted by section 19AA are unable to access Medicare benefits unless they apply to participate on an approved training or workforce program under section 3GA of the Act.
Approved training and workforce programs – under section 3GA
There are placements in various approved training and workforce programs which satisfy the requirements of section 19AA of the Act. These allow doctors to access the Medicare benefits arrangements while undertaking vocational training to gain Fellowship of a recognised medical college. Alternatively, the doctor can be placed in a workforce program where workforce shortages have occurred.
List of approved programs under section 3GA
Rural Locum Relief Program
Queensland Country Relieving Program
Approved Medical Deputising Service Program
Prevocational General Practice Placements Program
Australian General Practice Training Program
Approved Private Emergency Department Program
Special Approved Placements Program
Specialist Training Colleges in Australia
What does it mean if I do not have fellowship?
Doctors who have do not hold fellowship generally cannot access the higher Medicare Rebate – known as the A1 rebate.
How can I get the higher rebate?
If you are working in a rural or remote area, or after hours, it may be possible to access the A1 rebate. Please contact Medicare Australia to check your personal eligibility.
If I move practices, can I continue to access the higher rebate?
It depends. If you are contemplating moving, please contact Medicare Australia to check whether the new placement will be eligible.
Last updated 6/06/2008