Opportunities for Bonded Medical Scholars
Rural Health West and the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia are offering support services for Bonded Medical Program participants in order to prepare them for rural health work and facilitate placements in rural areas.

Rural Health West and the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia have designed a support program specifically for bonded scholars to:
- prepare scholars for rural placements;
- provide career advice and guidance;
- provide professional development opportunities; and
- assist with rural placement facilitation.
Through this support program, bonded scholars are able to:
- access clinical upskilling webinars;
- attend networking and career events;
- apply for financial support to attend conferences and educational workshops;
- receive cultural awareness training ... and more.
Wheatbelt Weekend Immersion Program 2021
For more information about this program please contact Rural Health West on 08 6389 4500. If you have a specific query about rural practice please contact hubs@RCSWA.edu.au
New arrangements for the Bonded Medical Program
The Bonded Medical Program aims to provide more Australian trained doctors where there are workforce shortages, particularly in rural and remote Australia.
There are two schemes under the Bonded Medical Program; the Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship (MRBS) scheme and the Bonded Medical Places (BMP) scheme.
A new Bonded Medical Program commenced on 1 January 2020, with existing participants able to opt in to the new arrangements.
To support the new arrangements for the Bonded Medical Program, the Australian Government Department of Health has developed an innovative IT system, the Bonded Return of Service System (BRoSS).
Key features of the reforms are:
- a consistent three year Return of Service Obligation (RoSO). BMP participants who have a 12 month RoSO will keep this under the new arrangements;
- more options and flexibility so it is easier for participants to complete their RoSO;
- replacement of the individual contract/deed of agreement with a statutory scheme;
- a program specific online web portal (BRoSS) and mobile phone application to allow participants to self-manage their RoSO; and
- support to all bonded participants through the Rural Workforce Agencies.
- What are the reforms?
- New arrangements for the Bonded Medical Program
- Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship Scheme - information for existing participants
- Bonded Medical Place Scheme - information for existing participants
- Bonded Return of Service System (BRosSS)
- Information for new applicants
- Role of Rural Workforce Agencies
- Overview of changes - presentation delivered at Bonded Medical Program Forum
- Question and Answer document - provided at Bonded Medical Program Forum
Further information about the reforms can be found on the Australian Government Department of Health website.
Click here to access current episodes.
Click here to access the Rural Health West webinar library.
Bonded Scholars will have access to the Rural Clinical School Webinar series, more information to be released soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You are required to log in to BRoSS at least every 6 months to keep your personal information up-to-date.
No. There is no scholarship associated with the Bonded Medical Program. However, you may apply for scholarships.
No, there are no contracts. You only have to accept your offered place at university and agree to participate in the program via BRoSS.
The Bonded Medical Program new arrangement is a statutory scheme. There are no individual contracts or deeds of agreement. You only have to agree to participate in the new arrangement.
If you work 24 months, full time in MM 4-7 locations and have become a Fellow, and you continue to do so, you will attract the scaling benefit. This provides credits towards your RoSO which can result in your 3 year RoSO being reduced to 2.5 years.
No, periods of leave such as maternity leave or long service leave do not count as reasons for extension. 18 years is considered sufficient time to complete your RoSO.
No. The bonded CSP is allocated and linked to the university making the offer of a Bonded Medical Program place at medical school.
Yes, you can complete your RoSO at an AMS if it is located in an eligible location.
Yes, providing your university agrees. Universities may allow you to defer starting your study after you have been offered a bonded CSP. It remains at the university’s discretion as to whether a bonded CSP would be offered to you when you commence your study the following year.
You are required to complete your RoSO within 18 years from the day you complete your medical course. RoSO can be non-continuous, full time or part time work, and fly-in/fly-out work in eligible locations.