The Area of Need Program supports employers in New South Wales who face challenges in recruiting medical practitioners, including General Practitioners (GPs), and non-GP Specialists.
This program is a temporary strategy that allows employers to recruit suitably qualified international medical graduates (IMGs) for positions approved by the NSW Ministry of Health as an Area of Need.
The priority remains on continued efforts to attract and recruit medical practitioners who have specialist registration to vacancies.
The NSW Ministry of Health assesses applications for Area of Need position status based on the NSW Health Area of Need Program Policy and Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care requirements.
Employers must address all criteria before submitting an application. Learn more by visiting Employers.
An Area of Need position needs to be located in a facility declared by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care as:
Use the Health Workforce Locator to verify your proposed position's DWS or DPA status.
After a position receives Area of Need approval, eligible International Medical Graduates can apply for Limited Registration – Area of Need with the Medical Board of Australia.
The practitioner must meet all Medical Board of Australia registration requirements. Assessment by the relevant speciality college may be part of this registration.
Employers and practitioners should review the Medical Board of Australia registration requirements to ensure readiness for an Area of Need position.