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The More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP) is a new 3GA program that enables doctors who are non-vocationally registered to work in rural regions and access Medicare.
The Program is part of the Stronger Rural Health Strategy. MDRAP commenced on 29 April 2019 and will be administered in Queensland by Health Workforce Queensland.
Please Note: There is no requirement for doctors on existing programs including the Rural Locum Relief Program (RLRP) to move to MDRAP and they may continue on their respective programs until the end of the placement. Any existing placements on OMPs programs will continue until 30 June 2023.
The program is open to Australian citizens, permanent residents and temporary residents.
Click here for the MDRAP Guidelines for more information.
Am I eligible for MDRAP?
To be eligible for MDRAP doctors must:
Hold current registration with the Medical Board of Australia;
Have an offer of employment; and
Have the necessary skills and experience to perform the role.
A doctor’s previous 3GA placement history will be considered when assessing MDRAP applications.
Where can I practice?
Eligible locations for an MDRAP placement are:
In a Distribution Priority Area (DPA); and
In an area classified as Modified Monash Model (MMM) 2–7.
Doctors who work at a practice classified as an Aboriginal Medical Service or that hold an exemption under s19 (2) or s19 (5) of the Health Insurance Act 1973 are also eligible for an MDRAP placement.
What can I claim?
Doctors on the MDRAP will be able to access items from group A7 of the Medicare Benefits Schedule. These items are set at 80% of the equivalent general practice items.
How long can I be on the MDRAP?
An initial MDRAP placement is for two years. Doctors can seek extensions for a period of up to four years total in some circumstances.
Members on the program must be current with requirements to be assessed for an extension.
What will I have to do?
The MDRAP supports doctors working towards joining a college Fellowship Program; doctors participating in the MDRAP must make a minimum of one application to a Fellowship Program each year.
Doctors who participate in the MDRAP must complete foundation general practice training modules provided by either the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine within 6 months of commencing on the MDRAP.
Doctors who participate in the MDRAP for a year must ensure at least half of the annual professional development required by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHRPA) is relevant to general practice.
Check out these links below which will provide you with the necessary module information:
Will I have to be supervised?
The MDRAP provides a supervision framework for doctors who have less than six months general practice experience. The supervision requirements vary depending on the category of the doctor. Information about supervision is available in the MDRAP Guidelines.
What kind of support can I expect if I am approved on the MDRAP?
Once you are approved, you can expect to gain access to a team of experts who specialise in:
Fellowship progression
Support with program compliance
Learning and Development
Allocated funding for both the doctor and practice to support implementation of the program
Tailored learning and development or all doctors on the program
You can read more about the the support available on this page.
How do I apply?
I am a New Applicant and I want to apply for the MDRAP in QLD:
To start your applications, click the Apply Now button above
Create or Login to your portal profile
Go to Start An Application/Registration
Select MDRAP Application
Complete the online application and Submit
You will receive instructions via email for supporting documents once you have submitted an online application
Email the MDRAP team via email if you need assistance
I am a Current QLD MDRAP Member and I want to:
Supporting Document Templates
More Frequently Asked Questions
Will I have to be supervised?
The MDRAP provides a supervision framework for doctors who have less than six months general practice experience. The supervision requirements vary depending on the category of the doctor. Information about supervision is available in the MDRAP Applicant Guidelines. AHPRA supervision requirements linked to your registration are not replaced by the MDRAP supervision framework.
I don’t have an offer of employment. Can Health Workforce Queensland help me with recruitment to an eligible practice location?
Health Workforce Queensland has a dedicated recruitment team that can help you find a placement that meets the eligibility criteria of MDRAP. Contact the Health Workforce Solutions team to find out more or search our vacancies listed at here.
How will the MDRAP affect my Other Medical Practitioner program (OMPs)
The OMPS programs were closed to new participants on the 31stof December 2018. Doctors participating in an Other Medical Practitioners (OMPS) program can continue to access OMPS at their existing locations or apply for access at a MDRAP location (if eligible). OMPs grandfathering arrangements are in place for doctors who maintain their eligibility up to 30 June 2023.
How does MDRAP affect my existing 3GA placement?
There is no requirement for doctors on existing programs including the Rural Locum Relief Program (RLRP) to move to MDRAP and they may continue their respective programs until the end of placement.
What are the GP college Fellowship Programs?
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) offer two Fellowship Programs with multiple training streams:
RACGP Fellowship Program
Australian General Practice Training Program (AGPT)
Remote Vocational Training Service (RVTS)
Practice Experience Pathway (PEP)
ACRRM Fellowship Program
Australian General Practice Training Program (AGPT)
Remote Vocational Training Service (RVTS)
Independent Pathway (IP)
How do I apply for a location Interstate?
Please contact the Rural Workforce Agency in the state of the MDRAP practice location to apply:
WA Rural Health West
NSW Rural Doctors Network
NT Northern Territory PHN
SA Rural Doctors Workforce Agency
TAS HR+
VIC Rural Workforce Agency Victoria
Can I use a 19AB Replacement for an MDRAP Placement?
19AB replacements are not eligible for MDRAP practice locations.Practices must be a current DPA location in MMM 2-7 to be eligible on the program.
Do I have to be an Australian Resident to apply for MDRAP?
Australian Citizens, Permanent Residents and Temporary Residents are all eligible to apply.
I do not have GP experience. Can I apply for MDRAP?
Yes, you will need a supervisor in the practice to provide Level one supervision for one month and ongoing supervision for the remaining months depending on the MDRAP category approved.See MDRAP Guidelines for more information.
What kind of Support can I expect if I am approved on the MDRAP?
Access to a team of experts who specialise in Fellowship progression, Support with program compliance, Learning and Development, Allocated funding for both the doctor and practice to support implementation of the program, tailored Learning and Development or all doctors on the program.
How long will it take to process my application?
Assessment will commence when applications are deemed complete, and all supporting documents are submitted/uploaded.Health Workforce Queensland will notify applicants of outcomes within 28 days of receiving a complete application.
Please note, applications are assessed in a queue system according to the date of completion.Please consider preferred start dates when applying.
Additional time must be allowed for Medicare provider numbers to be processed by Services Australia.
Who do I contact?
Should you have any questions about MDRAP Support Program, please contact the Health Workforce Solutions team via the details below:
