District of workforce shortage
What’s a district of workforce shortage?
A district of workforce shortage (DWS) is an area of Australia in which the population’s need for healthcare has not been met.
What’s the purpose of a DWS?
DWS is a key mechanism that the Australian Government uses to achieve an equitable distribution of medical services across Australia.
Who’s affected by a DWS?
Overseas trained doctors (OTDs) and foreign graduates of an accredited medical school (FGAMS) who are restricted by section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act) are affected by DWS restrictions.
All OTDs or FGAMS who started working as a doctor in Australia after 1 November 1996 are subject to section 19AB of the Act.
Section 19AB of the Act restricts access to Medicare provider numbers and requires OTDs and FGAMS to work in DWSs in order to access Medicare benefits.
OTDs and FGAMS can apply for a Medicare provider number through Medicare Australia. Medicare Australia is responsible for applying for a section 19AB exemption on behalf of a doctor.
Get a Medicare provider number application form
All OTDs or FGAMS who started working as a doctor in Australia after 1 November 1996 are subject to section 19AB of the Act.
Section 19AB of the Act restricts access to Medicare provider numbers and requires OTDs and FGAMS to work in DWSs in order to access Medicare benefits.
OTDs and FGAMS can apply for a Medicare provider number through Medicare Australia. Medicare Australia is responsible for applying for a section 19AB exemption on behalf of a doctor.
Get a Medicare provider number application form
How’s a DWS determined?
DWS is determined by the Department of Health and Ageing (the Department) using both Australian Bureau of Statistics population data and Medicare Australia billing data.
In general, a location is deemed to be a DWS if it falls below the national average for the provision of medical services. Population needs for health care are deemed to be unmet if a district has less access to medical services than the national average.
In general, a location is deemed to be a DWS if it falls below the national average for the provision of medical services. Population needs for health care are deemed to be unmet if a district has less access to medical services than the national average.
Check the locator map
An exemption from the Medicare provider number restrictions under section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act) may be granted to allow OTDs and FGAMS to access the Medicare benefits arrangements at locations that have been identified as a DWS.
If you’re a general practitioner who’s seen a job you’d like to apply for, and you know the address of the practice, check the locator map to see if the address is currently listed in a DWS. This will serve as a guide as to whether you’re likely to be approved when you apply for a Medicare provider number to practise in that location.
Locator map
Note: the locator map is for general practice locations only and is updated quarterly. To check the DWS status of an area with respect to a medical specialty other than general practice, e-mail the Department’s Workforce Regulation Section at dws@health.gov.au.
If you’re a general practitioner who’s seen a job you’d like to apply for, and you know the address of the practice, check the locator map to see if the address is currently listed in a DWS. This will serve as a guide as to whether you’re likely to be approved when you apply for a Medicare provider number to practise in that location.
Locator map
Note: the locator map is for general practice locations only and is updated quarterly. To check the DWS status of an area with respect to a medical specialty other than general practice, e-mail the Department’s Workforce Regulation Section at dws@health.gov.au.