Programs >> More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP)

 

More Doctors

for Rural Australia
Program (MDRAP)

The Program is part of the Stronger Rural Health Strategy. MDRAP commenced on 29 April 2019 and is administered in Western Australia by Rural Health West.

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 a 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.

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 a MDRAP placement.

FAQ

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.

Check  the fact sheet here.

How long can I be on the MDRAP?

An initial MDRAP placement is for 2 years. Doctors can seek extensions for a period up to 4 years total in some circumstances.

How does the 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 on their respective programs until the end of the placement.

How will the MDRAP affect my Other Medical Practitioner Program (OMPs)?

The OMPs programs were closed to new participants on the 31 December 2018.  Doctors participating in an Other Medical Practitioners (OMPs) program can continue to access OMPs at their existing location 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.

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.

Will I have to be supervised?

The MDRAP provides a supervision framework for doctors who have less than six (6) months of general practice experience. The supervision requirements vary depending on the category of the doctor. Information about supervision is available in the MDRAP Guidelines.

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.

Training streams available through the RACGP Fellowship Program

Training streams available through the ACRRM Fellowship Program

How to apply for an MDRAP placement

If you are seeking MDRAP opportunities in rural or remote Western Australia, the Rural Health West can help.

Get in touch with our team via email or on (08) 6389 4500.

If you are seeking an opportunity in another state or territory, contact the Rural Workforce Agency in the relevant location.

Please read the MDRAP Guidelines.

For doctors with previous GP experience, please download the forms below.

For doctors without previous GP experience, please download the forms below.

For CV template, please download below