Recruiting doctors in areas of need

Employers who are unable to fill vacant medical professional positions in areas of need may be able to apply to temporarily recruit doctors with limited registration.

Under the Area of Need strategy, both public and private employers can apply if they have been unable to recruit a doctor with unrestricted general or specialist registration.

They must prove that:

  • advertising has failed
  • service delivery is affected
  • locally qualified medical practitioners are not disadvantaged
  • the vacant position is in a district of workforce shortage or distribution priority area
  • the vacant position is for an Area of Need specialty, including general practice.

For medical practitioners

You must meet the registration requirements of the Medical Board of Australia.

If you need evidence of professional indemnity insurance arrangements, email healthemployeerelations@act.gov.au.

More information

For more information, download the Area of Need for Vacant Medical Practitioner Positions in the Public and Private Sector – Policy and Procedure

Page last updated on: 9 Aug 2023