Medical Training Review Panel 19th Report

Rural Locum Relief Program

The Rural Locum Relief Program (RLRP) was introduced in 1998. It enables doctors who are not otherwise eligible to access the Medicare Benefits Schedule to have temporary access when providing services through approved placements in rural areas.

Rural Health Workforce Australia through the Rural Workforce Agencies (RWAs) in each state and the Northern Territory administer the program on behalf of the Australian Government. Doctors without postgraduate qualifications who fall within the scope of the restrictions under section 19AA of the Act are eligible to make an application to their respective state or territory RWAs for a placement on the program. For overseas trained doctors who are subject to the restrictions under section 19AB of the Act, practice locations must be within a DWS.

Locations eligible to receive approved placements through the program are:

• 
  rural and remote areas, Rural, Remote and Metropolitan Areas (RRMAs) 3-7;
  
• 
  Areas of Consideration, as determined by the Australian Government Minister for Health; and
  
• 
  all Aboriginal medical services, including those in RRMA 1 and 2 locations.
  

Doctors who are registered to practise in a particular state or territory and have been assessed as having suitable experience and skills to practise in the particular location may fill these placements.