Five Year International Medical Graduate Recruitment Scheme

The Five Year International Medical Graduate Recruitment Scheme (formerly known as the 5 Year Overseas Trained Doctor Recruitment Scheme) is an Australian Government initiative to attract and retain appropriately qualified and experienced International Medical Graduates (IMGs) or Foreign Graduates of an accredited medical school (FGAMS) to work in some of Australia's smaller rural communities. 

By participating in the 5 Year Scheme and committing to work in remote locations in New South Wales (NSW), an IMG/FGAM may reduce this time restriction to as little as three years.

The main objectives of the Scheme are:
• To provide incentives to attract appropriately qualified and experienced IMG/FGAMS working in general practice to overcome the current and future community needs for general practice medical services in rural and remote Australia,
• To increase the supply of appropriately qualified IMG/FGAMS in rural and remote Australia,
• To enhance the professional development, skills, and knowledge of IMG/FGAMS in Australia; and
• To bring a degree of stability to the provision of general practitioner services in rural and remote communities.

There are three principal obligations for the scheme participants - to enroll in general practice specialty training and achieve Fellowship of one of the GP colleges; gain permanent residency and serve the location term of service.
 

Eligibility Criteria for Scheme Locations/ Medical Practices

The Rural Workforce Agency will identify locations that are the most difficult to recruit to, and will meet the following:

• Require a practitioner for at least 7 sessions per week in the Practice 
• MMM 3-7 and be considered a Distribution Priority Area (DPA)
• If the practice is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) the location must be MMM 2-7
• Can provide an environment and the support for the IMG/FGAM to achieve GP Fellowship 

Eligibility Criteria for IMG/FGAMS

• Hold or obtain appropriate registration with the Medical Board of Australia 
• Are able to obtain a Medicare Provider Number at the relevant location 
• Intend to seek or currently possess permanent residency and/or Australian Citizenship 
• Will be providing at least 7 sessions a week as part of their placement, and 
• Intend to join or currently participating in a general practice training pathway to gain specialist qualifications while working in the chosen practice for the length of their Scheme agreement 

Application Process

NSW Rural Doctors Network will assess each application to review eligibility of both the practice and the applicant as per the above eligibility criteria. 

For more information please view Five Year International Medical Graduate Recruitment Scheme (Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care).

To request application or further details on eligible locations please email the RDN Workforce Support Officer's or call RDN on 02 4924 8000.