The 5-Year IMG Recruitment Scheme is an initiative that is administered by the Rural Workforce Agencies (RWA’s) in each state and territory in Australia.
As an overseas trained GP, it helps you reduce your moratorium down to 3 years (yes just 3) or just 5 years, based on the location that you are working in, when you achieve specialist registration and when you gain permanent residence status.
Each State or Territory workforce agency administers the program and scale back the moratorium requirement depending on the location and the rurality that you are practicing in.
The Eligibility Requirements:
For participants in this scheme, there are three requirements:
- You have to be enrolled in an approved general practice training scheme; this includes the ACRRM specialist pathway and RACGP pathway, that you
- Gain specialist registration with AHPRA (FACRRM or FRACGP), and you
- Acquire Australian Permanent Residency (or citizenship) whilst serving in the location for the term of service (FTE for 3-5 years in an eligible location)
If you are an overseas trained GP, you will be eligible if you:
- Hold or obtain registration with the Medical Board of Australia on a pathway to Fellowship with ACRRM or the RACGP
- Obtain a Medicare Provider Number in an approved 5-year scheme location
- Gain (or have) Australian permanent residency and/or citizenship whilst you are working in the 5-year scheme location,
- Work a full time week 38-40 hours p/week or 7 sessions p/week
- Are working in an approved training program leading to specialist registration (see above) as a general practitioner, and
- You register for the 5-year scheme with your local Rural Workforce Agency when you commence
If you start the Five-Year Scheme, then you need to remain in the approved location until you ‘expire’ your moratorium and gain PR or citizenship. If you leave, the normal moratorium scaling will apply.
If you are a general practitioner or specialist family physician interested in reducing your moratorium, contact GP2Oz for details of eligible locations (from 3 years to 5 years) across Australia.
