The 10 year Moratorium

What is the 10 year moratorium?

The 10 year moratorium is a piece of legislation that affects where many Overseas Trained Doctors (OTDs) can train and practice as a GP.

There have recently been some changes to the moratorium guidelines.  For the most up to date information, please contact AGPT on 02 6263 6777 or www.agpt.com.au

Those affected are OTDs who did not obtain their primary qualification in Australia (including NZ) and who were not registered as a medical practitioner prior to January 1997. Overseas doctors who obtained their primary medical qualification in Australia but were not an Australian permanent resident or Australian citizen when they commenced studying are also affected by the moratorium.

Under the moratorium, OTDs will only be issued a Medicare provider number if they work in designated outer metropolitan, rural and remote areas of Australia.

The geographical limitation on Medicare provider numbers for OTDs is typically 10 years.

Can I apply to GP Training?

Yes!  OTDs are welcome to apply to GP Training. Due to the geographical restrictions on Medicare provider numbers you will need to apply for a rural pathway (see ‘where can I train’ overleaf).

Applicants to GP Training must also meet all eligibility requirements including:

  • Citizenship: You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Alternatively, if you are a temporary resident who obtained their medical qualification in Australia you must be currently applying, or intend to apply, for permanent residence.

  • Medical Qualifications: You must have obtained your primary medical qualification in Australia or New Zealand or have successfully completed all parts of the AMC exam by the AGPT application closing date.
  • Medical Registration: You must have full unconditional medical registration by 1 January or conditions deemed acceptable by General Practice Education & Training (GPET).

This information is subject to change. To ensure you are eligible to apply for GP training, please visit the AGPT website (www.agpt.com.au) and complete the eligibility flowchart.

Where can I train?

Medical areas are classified by the Department of Health under the ‘Rural, Remote and Metropolitan Areas’ (RRMA) system. An area’s RRMA classification is determined largely by the size of its population, not necessarily its distance from Sydney or a major metropolitan centre. For instance, you might find in some cases a RRMA 5 location is actually closer to a major metropolitan centre than a RRMA 3 one! Plus, generally the higher the RRMA classification, the higher the rural reimbursement incentive. 

Overseas trained doctors affected by the moratorium can only train in RRMAs 3-7, which means they can only apply for rural GP training pathways. NSW training providers offering rural pathways include CoastCityCountry Training (CCCT), General Practice Training - valley to coast, GPlogic, GP Synergy and North Coast GP Training (NCGPT).

The Government also provides some significant financial reimbursements for Registrars training in rural locations which can range up to $90,000 per training year depending on location. To find out more about the financial incentives available, visit www.agpt.com.au 

RRMA Category

Description

GP Synrgy Examples 

RRMA 3

Large rural and urban centres with populations of 25,000 to 99,999

Tamworth

RRMA 4

Small rural and urban centres with populations of 10,000 to 24,999

Armidale, Moree

RRMA 5

Other rural areas and urban centres with populations of less than 10,000

Bingara, Gunnedah, Inverell, Manilla, Narrabri, Warialda, Wee Waa

RRMA 6

Remote centres and urban centres with populations greater than 5,000

There are no RRMA 6 locations in GP Synergy

RRMA 7

Other remote centres and urban centres with populations less than 5,000

There are no RRMA 7 locations in GP Synergy

For more information about RRMA training locations please contact the relevant NSW GP training provider or visit www.healthworkforce.com.au for a list of suburbs by RRMA classification.

When does the 10 year moratorium period begin?

  1. If you registered as a medical practitioner in Australia before 18 October 2001 (and after 1 Jan 1997), the moratorium period starts on the date of medical registration
  2. If you registered as a medical practitioner in Australia after 18 October 2001 and at the time were an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident, the moratorium period starts on the date of medical registration
  3. If you registered as a medical practitioner in Australia after 18 October 2001 and at the time were a Temporary Resident, the moratorium period starts on the date of permanent residency.

More information

For more information about the 10 year moratorium contact AGPT on 02 6263 6777.  Please note, this information is subject to change – always check the most up to date information available through the AGPT website (www.agpt.com.au) before applying.

To download this information please click here.