Workforce
Program Contact Person – Carolyn Wilson
As you know, we are still very reliant on International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to help meet our GP Workforce needs. Most OTD's are required to work in a District of Workforce Shortage (DoWS) in order to obtain a provider number with access to Medicare for billing purposes in private practice. The Australian Government has developed a DoWS searchable database for general practitioners which allows users to determine whether a particular location is considered a district of workforce shortage for the purposes of Medicare Provider Number restrictions.
In the past practices were required to submit a request for Preliminary Assessment of DoWS status in order to get written confirmation of DoWS from DoHA . The good news is that DoHA have now changed the searchable database slightly and practices are no longer required to submit a request for Preliminary Assessment of DoWS. They can simply print out the search results from the website. As was the case previously, these results are only valid for 3 months.
In the event that the searchable database indicates that a location is not a DoWS (or indicates TBA), a practice can still appeal to DoHA for special consideration. To do so they will need to complete the request for Preliminary Assessment form found on the same website and attach evidence to support their case.
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Area of Need Certification
RRMA 3-7 practices and Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) no longer need to provide evidence of labour market testing when applying to have their Area of Need Certification renewed. The Area of Need team would appreciate a copy of the most recent ad placed (if any), but they will accept a submission made by Health Workforce Queensland in cases where no labour market testing has been done. Note that labour market testingis a requirement for new vacancies. RRMA 3-7 practices and AMS’s can advertise their vacancies on our website in order to meet this requirement.
As at 29 May 2006, all Area of Need applications are being processed by the Area of Need Certification Unit at the Office of Medical Board of Queensland (MBQ). The Area of Need Unit can be contacted by phone 3234-0227, fax 3225 2527, or email.
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Medical Board Registration
As of 1 March 2006, Area of Need registrants are automatically given a 60 day extension when they lodge their medical board registration renewal. This is to allow Medicare Australia to grant a 60 day provider number extension while the registration renewal is being processed. Note that the provider number extension will not happen automatically, an application must be lodged with Medicare Australia.
As of 15 March 2006, Special Purpose registrants no longer have to wait for the EICS verification process to be completed before they can obtain registration to practice in Queensland. New applicants will simply need to provide the medical board with a copy of the email sent by the EICS confirming that their EICS verification application was received.
Following introduction of the Medical Practitioners Registrations Amendment Act 2006, the Medical Board of Queensland (MBQ) has introduced a number of new initiatives as at 1 June 2006. The following are of most relevance:
MBQ has advised that there are more changes to the IMG policies coming in on 1 July 2008 – stay tuned!
The Medical Board of Queensland can be contacted by phone 3234 0011, fax 3225 2522, or email. Application forms and policies can be found on their website.
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Visa Option for Doctors
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has recently updated their website information on Visa options for doctors. Comprehensive information can be found via the Department of Immigration. Note that DIMAs fees increased as at 1 July 2006. Check the website for details.
Health Workforce Queensland recommends that doctors consider engaging a registered migration agent for assistance when lodging permanent residency applications. You can source a migration agent through the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
The MARA can be contacted by phone 02 9299 5446, fax 02 9299 8448, or email. Details can also be found on their website.
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Medicare Australia
Medicare Australia has recently launched a PBS CD-Rom for new providers entitled "Your Guide to Using your Prescriber Number". A copy of the CD-Rom has recently been mailed out to all providers who were issued with a prescriber in the previous 12 months and all ianew providers will be given a copy from here on in. The CD-Rom offered self-paced learning on the PBS and includes Medicare Australia contacts, useful links, a glossary of PBS terms and practical resources.
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Recruiting doctors from overseas – assistance from AMA
The Enhanced Medicare Package addresses the recruitment of doctors from overseas.The AMA have been contracted to assist. For more information, in particulary the eligibility criteria see their website.
Assistance in being recognised as an area of workforce shortage and help with medical recruitment can be obtained through agencies contracted by the Australian Government.
Back to top
Doctor Connect
DoctorConnect is an Australian Government initiative that aims to assist appropriately qualified international medical graduates (IMGs) to enter the Australian medical workforce. The website was developed to provide authoritative, accessible and useful information about working as a doctor in Australia. DoctorConnect provides helpful information about such issues as immigration requirements, medical registration , the Australian health care system, training arrangements and living in Australia. For more information visit the Doctor Connect website.
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IMG Mentoring Program
GP Links Wide Bay supports an IMG Mentoring Program which provides mentoring support by Australian trained doctors or RACGP qualified doctors, to those IMG’s who are currently studying for their RACGP. Mentoring network meetings are regularly held at GP Links Wide Bay Bundaberg and Maryborough offices.
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Advertisements
GP Links Wide Bay are notified by job hunters available to work in medical practice. GP Links Wide Bay has made no attempt to assess these people, their qualifications or experience, but offers this list as a service to practices who should then conduct their own checks.
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- District of Workforce Shortage
- Area of Need Certification
- Medical Board Registration
- Visa Option for Doctors
- Medicare Australia
- Recruiting doctors from overseas – assistance from AMA
- Doctor Connect
- IMG Mentoring Program
- Advertisements
As you know, we are still very reliant on International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to help meet our GP Workforce needs. Most OTD's are required to work in a District of Workforce Shortage (DoWS) in order to obtain a provider number with access to Medicare for billing purposes in private practice. The Australian Government has developed a DoWS searchable database for general practitioners which allows users to determine whether a particular location is considered a district of workforce shortage for the purposes of Medicare Provider Number restrictions.
In the past practices were required to submit a request for Preliminary Assessment of DoWS status in order to get written confirmation of DoWS from DoHA . The good news is that DoHA have now changed the searchable database slightly and practices are no longer required to submit a request for Preliminary Assessment of DoWS. They can simply print out the search results from the website. As was the case previously, these results are only valid for 3 months.
In the event that the searchable database indicates that a location is not a DoWS (or indicates TBA), a practice can still appeal to DoHA for special consideration. To do so they will need to complete the request for Preliminary Assessment form found on the same website and attach evidence to support their case.
Back to top
Area of Need Certification
RRMA 3-7 practices and Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) no longer need to provide evidence of labour market testing when applying to have their Area of Need Certification renewed. The Area of Need team would appreciate a copy of the most recent ad placed (if any), but they will accept a submission made by Health Workforce Queensland in cases where no labour market testing has been done. Note that labour market testingis a requirement for new vacancies. RRMA 3-7 practices and AMS’s can advertise their vacancies on our website in order to meet this requirement.
As at 29 May 2006, all Area of Need applications are being processed by the Area of Need Certification Unit at the Office of Medical Board of Queensland (MBQ). The Area of Need Unit can be contacted by phone 3234-0227, fax 3225 2527, or email.
Back to top
Medical Board Registration
As of 1 March 2006, Area of Need registrants are automatically given a 60 day extension when they lodge their medical board registration renewal. This is to allow Medicare Australia to grant a 60 day provider number extension while the registration renewal is being processed. Note that the provider number extension will not happen automatically, an application must be lodged with Medicare Australia.
As of 15 March 2006, Special Purpose registrants no longer have to wait for the EICS verification process to be completed before they can obtain registration to practice in Queensland. New applicants will simply need to provide the medical board with a copy of the email sent by the EICS confirming that their EICS verification application was received.
Following introduction of the Medical Practitioners Registrations Amendment Act 2006, the Medical Board of Queensland (MBQ) has introduced a number of new initiatives as at 1 June 2006. The following are of most relevance:
- MBQ has entered into an agreement with the General Medical Council to electronically exchange Certificates of Good Standing. This ensures speedier processing times and a higher level of authenticity is achieved.
- The MBQ Board is now able to delegate its power for the approval of certain categories of registration. This will again considerably speed up the process, however does not limit the Board’s power or mean less time should be allowed for the processing of applications.
- A new category of Short-Tem Registration has been introduced. This allows for doctors to apply for general, special or special purpose registration for short-term registration of up to 5 weeks, for which no application fee or registration fee will apply.
MBQ has advised that there are more changes to the IMG policies coming in on 1 July 2008 – stay tuned!
The Medical Board of Queensland can be contacted by phone 3234 0011, fax 3225 2522, or email. Application forms and policies can be found on their website.
Back to top
Visa Option for Doctors
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has recently updated their website information on Visa options for doctors. Comprehensive information can be found via the Department of Immigration. Note that DIMAs fees increased as at 1 July 2006. Check the website for details.
Health Workforce Queensland recommends that doctors consider engaging a registered migration agent for assistance when lodging permanent residency applications. You can source a migration agent through the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
The MARA can be contacted by phone 02 9299 5446, fax 02 9299 8448, or email. Details can also be found on their website.
Back to top
Medicare Australia
Medicare Australia has recently launched a PBS CD-Rom for new providers entitled "Your Guide to Using your Prescriber Number". A copy of the CD-Rom has recently been mailed out to all providers who were issued with a prescriber in the previous 12 months and all ianew providers will be given a copy from here on in. The CD-Rom offered self-paced learning on the PBS and includes Medicare Australia contacts, useful links, a glossary of PBS terms and practical resources.
Back to top
Recruiting doctors from overseas – assistance from AMA
The Enhanced Medicare Package addresses the recruitment of doctors from overseas.The AMA have been contracted to assist. For more information, in particulary the eligibility criteria see their website.
Assistance in being recognised as an area of workforce shortage and help with medical recruitment can be obtained through agencies contracted by the Australian Government.
Back to top
Doctor Connect
DoctorConnect is an Australian Government initiative that aims to assist appropriately qualified international medical graduates (IMGs) to enter the Australian medical workforce. The website was developed to provide authoritative, accessible and useful information about working as a doctor in Australia. DoctorConnect provides helpful information about such issues as immigration requirements, medical registration , the Australian health care system, training arrangements and living in Australia. For more information visit the Doctor Connect website.
Back to top
IMG Mentoring Program
GP Links Wide Bay supports an IMG Mentoring Program which provides mentoring support by Australian trained doctors or RACGP qualified doctors, to those IMG’s who are currently studying for their RACGP. Mentoring network meetings are regularly held at GP Links Wide Bay Bundaberg and Maryborough offices.
Back to top
Advertisements
GP Links Wide Bay are notified by job hunters available to work in medical practice. GP Links Wide Bay has made no attempt to assess these people, their qualifications or experience, but offers this list as a service to practices who should then conduct their own checks.
Back to top
