Launched on the 29th April 2019, the More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP) is a Section 3GA approved program that enables non-vocationally registered doctors to work in MMM2+ regions throughout Australia.
The program is administered by the Rural Workforce Agencies and is part of the Stronger Rural Health Strategy.
MDRAP has replaced the Rural Locum Relief Program (RLRP), which ceased taking applications at the end of April.
An MDRAP placement is for an initial two years and doctors may be eligible to apply for up to two separate 12-month extensions, giving a maximum program time of 4 years.
Unlike RLRP, MDRAP is open to temporary residents, as well as permanent residents and citizens. However, at this time, it is only mandatory for permanent residents and citizens, with temporary residents still being able to meet section 19AA requirements by their temporary residency status.
To be eligible to apply for MDRAP, doctors must:
Eligible doctors fall into the following four categories:
Category 1: Doctors with previous general practice experience
Must hold an RACGP assessment of 6 months or greater, or be able to prove to rural workforce agency that previous experience is equivalent to a 6 month assessment.
Category 2: Doctors without previous general practice experience
or less than 6 months assessed by the RACGP
Category 3: Junior Doctors gaining experience in general practice
Must have completed PGY1&2 in an Australian hospital
Category 4: Doctors providing locum services
Eligibility and access may be different between states and doctors should contact DXC Medical and/or the appropriate rural workforce agency
Nb. Supervision is required for doctors in Category 2 & 3 and further detail can be found under section 3.2 of the full MDRAP Guidelines.
At the time of writing, eligible locations are in a MMM2+ District of Workforce Shortage (DPA). Doctors can use the Doctor Connect map to find eligible locations. Aboriginal Medical Services are also eligible regardless of their location.
Non-DPA locations who hold a ‘replacement provision’ will also be eligible for the program.
DXC Medical work with clients in MMM2-7 locations throughout Australia. We can talk through your specific location requirements and options to help you find the perfect location to meet your personal and professional needs.
Even for doctors who do not need supervision, it is important that the practice will provide you with good mentoring and support in your progression towards fellowship.
Nb. It is important to note that DPA is set to be replaced by Distribution Priority Areas (DPAs) from July and it is unclear what impact this will have on location eligibility. More information will be provided on this as it becomes clear.
Doctors on MDRAP must clearly demonstrate their progression towards fellowship of either ACRRM or the RACGP. It is a requirement of the program that doctors make a minimum of one application per year to a training program, such as RVTS, AGPT, ACRRM independent pathway or RACGP PEP.
Doctors must also complete foundation in general practice training module from either ACRRM or the RACGP within the first 6 months of starting on MDRAP
Doctors on MDRAP will be able to access items from Group A7 of the Medicare Benefits Schedule. These items are 80% of the equivalent A1 rates.
Once a doctor moves from MDRAP to an approved 3ga training program, they are then able to access the A1 rates.
Once you have obtained a job offer and met the MDRAP requirements, it will take up to 28 days for the Rural Workforce Agency to assess your application.
Following your acceptance onto the program, the workforce agency will then submit a provider number application. This can take a further 4-5 weeks.
DXC Medical specialises in non-VR GP recruitment throughout Australia. In the past 12 months we have helped doctors find rural GP, GP/VMO and GP Anaesthetist training positions in 18 different MDRAP eligible locations.
With 20+ years experience, we have the contacts and knowledge to ensure you find the perfect location.
View the latest MDRAP GP Jobs listed with DXC Medical
Dr Asiri Gamage and Dr Nisal Fernando share a lot. As doctors who met when completing their medical training in Sri Lanka, they’ve gone on to forge parallel careers while also starting a family together, as proud parents to a seven-year-old daughter and two-year-old son.
Dr Aruni De Silva has spent her career pursuing excellence in family medicine. Originally from Colombo, Sri Lanka, Aruni completed her undergraduate studies in 2003, and then chose to specialise in family medicine, completing extensive training in Sri Lanka to achieve her qualifications. She went on to work as a family medicine specialist and senior lecturer, sharing her impeccable knowledge with others.
