Before offering a position to an OTD

Most OTDs are required to work in an AON when they first come to Australia, so you’ll need to apply for Area of Need approval before offering a position to an OTD. Area of Need approval must be obtained by the employer - not the OTD.

AON is determined by the relevant State or Territory Government for the purposes of immigration and registration.

Area of Need – more information

Medicare provider number restrictions apply to all OTDs. Exemption from these restrictions may be granted for areas that have been identified as a DWS. This exemption enables a doctor to be granted a Medicare provider number and bill for services that will attract benefits from Medicare.

You need to apply for DWS preliminary assessment for the position before making a job offer to an OTD.

DWS is determined by the Department of Health and Ageing for the purposes of access to Medicare. In most cases, the practice will need both AON and DWS status to employ an OTD.

You can check if the location of your vacancy is in a DWS by searching the locator map. Locations are updated quarterly.

Locator map
District of workforce shortage – more information
Restrictions
Medicare provider number legislation

Employers can apply for a preliminary assessment of district of workforce shortage (PADWS) if:

• the location of the vacancy is currently DWS, but you’re concerned the area’s DWS status may change
• the location of the vacancy is not currently DWS but there are special circumstances that support recruiting an OTD for the position.

A PADWS can help employers recruiting OTDs and FGAMS by providing an indication of the likely decision when an application for a Medicare provider number is lodged for the position.

The assessment, valid for 6 months, is for a particular vacancy in one location. You’ll need to specify if there’s more than one vacancy or location when completing the PADWS form.

Get the PADWS application form (PDF 379 KB)

Important notice regarding preliminary assessment of district of workforce shortage applications:

GPs who are subject to section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act) are generally restricted from accessing the Medicare benefits arrangements within inner metropolitan areas during business hours.

If a medical practice is located within an area that is defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) as inner metropolitan they will be able to apply for preliminary assessment of district of workforce shortage (PADWS) approval to employ a GP if:

• The practice is an accredited Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) that receives funding from the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health; or
• The practice is seeking to fill after-hours only positions.

Questions about PADWS? Email dws@health.gov.au.

OTDs and FGAMS who are Australian permanent residents or citizens and who have yet to gain fellowship of a specialist college or vocational recognition are subject to Section 19AA of the Act. This group of OTDs and FGAMS is required to work under Section 3GA programs.

Section 3GA of the Act allows medical practitioners undertaking postgraduate education or placements on approved workforce programs to provide professional services that attract Medicare benefits.

Exemptions for training programs, therefore, allow doctors to receive access to Medicare benefits while undertaking vocational training to receive a fellowship from one of the medical specialist colleges.

Medical practitioners are considered to have met the vocational recognition requirements of section 19AA once they obtain a fellowship qualification within their specialty that is recognised within Australia.