Medical Training Review Panel 19th Report

Special Approved Placements Program

The Special Approved Placements Program (SAPP) was established under section 3GA of the Act in December 2003. The program allows medical practitioners to access Medicare benefits in metropolitan areas if they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances that make them unable to participate on any other workforce or training program under section 3GA of the Act.

Exceptional circumstances that would normally be considered are:

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  where it can be demonstrated that there is substantial hardship, due to a particular family circumstance, resulting in the medical practitioner not being able to access the Medicare benefits in other suitable locations under section 3GA of the Act;
  
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  where serious illness relating to the medical practitioner, or his or her immediate family members can be demonstrated, including where the treatment for the condition is limited to a particular location(s); or
  
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  other exceptional circumstances peculiar to the individual case.