Related Programs

This program is a joint initiative of the NSW Department of Health and the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. The scheme is managed by the NSW Rural Doctors Network. This program has been developed to address rural medical workforce shortages on a more permanent basis by recruiting skilled and experienced overseas-trained General Practitioners for inland towns in NSW with significant medical workforce needs. The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing recognises these towns as 'district of workforce shortage'.

See a list of these towns.

Doctors selected for this program need to satisfy the requirement for Fellowship of RACGP within two years, after which they will be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Australia. They will also undertake to work a minimum of three to five years in an eligible rural location, after which they will have access to an unrestricted Medicare provider number.

For further information about the program, please telephone the NSW Rural Doctors Network on 02 4924 8000.

The NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) manages a Commonwealth program called the Rural Locum Relief Program (RLRP). This program enables the employment of doctors on a 'casual' basis to provide locum services to General Practitioner practices when doctors go on holidays, are sick, undertaking courses, etc.

Doctors employed under the RLRP may include overseas-trained medical practitioners, however, such employment may require Area of Need conditional registration.

For further information about the NSW RDN Locum Program, please telephone the NSW Rural Doctors Network on 02 4924 8000.