The NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) runs several programs to assist the recruitment of suitably skilled Overseas-Trained Doctors (OTDs) and support them once they are working. Support includes:

• Facilitating placement into rural Area of Need general practice positions;
• Financial and other assistance in applying to the New South Wales Medical Board for conditional registration;
• Access to provider numbers for supervised practices through the Rural Locum Relief Program;
• Assistance in finding additional training if required;
• Advice on opportunities to work as a General Practitioner in rural NSW; and
• Assistance to secure a suitable position in rural NSW.
  

Specifically, RDN OTD programs are as follows:

Five Year Rural Incentive Scheme (Five Year Program)

The 5-year Rural Incentive Scheme for OTDs is an agreement between the NSW Department of Health and the Australian Department of Health & Ageing. It provides eligible OTDs with a pathway to permanent Australian residency and a reduction in the OTDs 10-year moratorium on Medicare provider numbers. OTDs applying to join this program must undertake to obtain Fellowship of a specialist General Practice college within two years of enrolment, and must be eligible to do so. Applicants must also undertake to work for five consecutive years in an eligible location in NSW. Provided applicant's satisfy the criteria and will benefit from the program¿s incentives, OTDs can apply to join the 5-year Program, regardless of how they have been recruited.

View eligible/approved locations to work in NSW

OTD Program

The RDN is committed to assisting OTDs to find appropriate general practice positions in rural NSW. Where RDN is confident that an OTD is likely to be granted medical registration for rural general practice, we will provide individual case management to assist the OTD to secure a suitable position in rural NSW and support the OTD once they are in practice. Financial assistance may also be available to pay for site visits, observerships and for the NSW Medical Board interview.

Rural Locum Relief Program (Review Imminent)

The Rural Locum Relief Program (RLRP) enables OTDs and Australian graduates who have completed their internship since 1 November 1996 to access Medicare provider numbers to work in general practice in rural areas.

To be eligible for a provider number through this program, doctors must be Australian citizens or permanent Australian residents and have medical registration appropriate for the position. Doctors should have skills and experience appropriate for general practice, be otherwise unable to access a provider number, and be willing and able to work in an eligible rural area. Exemptions are generally only available for positions in RRMA classifications 4 to 7 although some RRMA 3 locations may be approved. As the doctor is unlikely to have had a lot of experience in general practice in Australia, the Practice Principal will need to provide, or ensure, adequate mentoring and support for the doctor.

RDN support programs for OTDs working in rural general practice include:

• The OTD Relocation Grant and Training Grant, where OTDs working in rural areas can apply for financial assistance to cover relocation and specified training costs;
• The Area of Need Supervisor Grant, where GP supervisors employing conditionally registered OTDs can apply to the RDN for a grant which recognises that these OTDs require intensive supervision during their first few weeks of practice;
• Rural Medical Family Network support, provided to OTDs families that require special assistance; and
• A computer-based recall system, to ensure that conditional registration and Area of Need status for OTDs and other eligible doctors are renewed as necessary by the RDN.

To speak with a recruitment officer at RDN call 02 4924 8060 or email medirec@nswrdn.com.au