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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.
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.
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.
How do I apply?
Please read the MDRAP Guidelines via the link below.
Please download the application form below.
Who do I contact?
Should you have any questions about MDRAP Support Program, please contact the Health Workforce Solutions Team via the details below.
P: 07 3105 7800
E: mdrap@healthworkforce.com.au
