Rural and Remote Incentive Programs Assistance > Practitioners

After Hours Other Medical Practitioners Program (AHOMPs)

Aged Care Access Incentive (Replacing Aged Care GP Panels Initiatives)

Auspicing Body
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing in conjunction with Medicare Australia and Australian General Practice Network

Website
http://www.gpqld.com.au/page/Programs/Aged_Care/
http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/incentives/pip/files/gp-aged-care-access-incentive-guidelines.pdf

Overview

The aim of the Aged Care Access Initiative is to improve access to primary care (GP and allied health services) for Residents of Aged Care Facilities (RACFs). The Initiative consists of a GP and Allied Health component. The GP component consists of an incentive payment through the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) to encourage GPs to provide more services in RACFs. The GP Aged Care Access Incentive recognises some of the difficulties faced by GPs in providing care in these settings and aims to encourage GPs to continue to provide increased and continuing services in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). The PIP payments will be administered through Medicare Australia.

Basic Eligibility

GPs in Practice Incentives Program (PIP) practices will be eligible for service incentive payments if they meet Qualifying Service Levels (QSLs) for provision of care in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) in a financial year.

There are two Service Incentive Payment levels under the GP Aged Care Access Incentive component.

Tier 1 provides a payment of $1000 when the QSL1 of 60 Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) services are claimed in 2008-09.
Tier 2 provides a payment of $1500 when the QSL2 of 140 MBS services are claimed in 2008-09.

N.B. The maximum payment a GP can receive in one financial year is $2500.

Application Process

GPs working from PIP practices do not need to apply to participate in the incentive, Medicare Australia will seek nominated bank account details from GPs eligible to receive the incentive. Contact your local Division of General Practice, General Practice Queensland or Medicare Australia (PIP Helpline) for further assistance.

Email
pgrant@gpqld.org.au

Phone
GPQ: (07) 3105 8300 Medicare: 1800 222 032

Fax
GPQ: (07) 3105 8301

Mail
General Practice Queensland, GPO Box 2546, Brisbane Qld 4001

AMA Queensland Mentor Scheme

Australian General Practice Training (AGPT)

Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA)

Bush Support Services

Central and Southern Queensland Training Consortium (CSQTC)

Central Queensland Rural Division of General Practice (CQRDGP)

Clinical Attachment Grants

Auspicing Body
Health Workforce Queensland

Website
http://www.healthworkforce.com.au/Main.asp?NodeID=29277

Overview

The Medical Education & Training Team at Health Workforce Queensland have 4 clinical attachment grants of up to $5000.00 available in the 2010/2011 financial year. This grant is to assist general practitioners in maintaining and expanding procedural skills relevant to the needs of their current or future local community. To be eligible to apply for the grant you will need to meet the following criteria: You must be a private non-proceduralist General Practitioner (does not include Queensland Health salaried practitioners) who resides in, or is relocating to, a rural or remote location of ASGC-RA 2 to 5. The training undertaken must be relevant to the community needs and to the General Practitioner’s rural practice. You must not be a General Practitioner who is eligible for the Procedural Medicine Training Grant in Anaesthetics, Obstetrics, Surgery or Emergency Medicine.

Basic Eligibility

Eligible applicants include practitioners who:

Are a private, non-procedural general practitioner (does not include Queensland Health salaried practitioners) residing in, or relocating to, a rural or remote location classified ASGC-RA 2 to 5; and
Are planning to undertake training must be relevant to the community needs and to the practice; and,
Are not eligible for the Procedural Medicine Training Grant under the Training for Rural and Remote Procedural General Practitioners Program.

Application Process

Applicants must complete a written application including a statement of why the training is sought as well as their Learning Objectives to Health Workforce Queensland. No retrospective applications will be accepted. Applicants will be notified of the outcomes of their application within four weeks of submitting a completed application. Application forms are available from the Health Workforce Queensland website.

Email
met@healthworkforce.com.au

Phone
(07) 3105 7800

Fax
(07) 3105 7801

Mail
Health Workforce Queensland, GPO Box 2523, Brisbane Qld 4001

Doctors' Health Advisory Service

Far North Queensland Rural Division of General Practice (FNQRDGP)

Fellowship Support

Five Year OTD Scheme (Doctors for the Bush or D4B)

Auspicing Body
Medicare Australia in conjunction with state-based Rural Workforce Agencies (Qld: Health Workforce Queensland)

Website
http://www.healthworkforce.com.au/main.asp?NodeID=29270

Overview
Similar to the Rural Locum Relief Program, the Doctors for the Bush program aims to address general practice workforce shortages in specific locations within rural and remote areas. Eligible candidates will be granted a provider number enabling them to practice anywhere in Australia in return for working in an identified, difficult to fill rural and remote general practice positions for a period of 3 to 5 years, attaining fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners or Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and obtaining permanent residency or Australian citizenship. Program participants are also eligible to receive support in attaining vocational registration via the Vocational Assistance Program.

Basic Eligibility
Eligible applicants include overseas trained doctors (OTDs) who have:

General practice qualifications; and
Significant general practice experience (greater than five years fulltime) and training; and
Assessed as being able to achieve fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners or Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine within two years.

Please note: The length of time serviced is dependent upon the location classification. See the Health Workforce Queensland website for further details.

Application Process
To participate in the program, doctors must apply to Health Workforce Queensland by completing the online 'GP Recruitment Register' on the Health Workforce Queensland website. Successful candidates will be required to apply for an assessment of their experience by the RACGP. Health Workforce Queensland will facilitate the candidate's placement in an approved D4B location as well as support the candidate's recruitment, orientation and settlement.

Email
recruitment@healthworkforce.com.au

Phone
(07) 3105 7800

Fax
(07) 3105 7801

Mail
Health Workforce Queensland, PO Box 2523, Brisbane Qld 4001

General Practice Registrars Australia (GPRA)

General Practice Rural Incentives Program (GPRIP - Refer to individual components above)

General Practice Rural Incentives Program (GPRIP - GP Component)

General Practice Rural Incentives Program (GPRIP - Registrar Component - formerly RRIPS)

General Practice Rural Incentives Program (GPRIP - Rural Relocation Incentive Grant Component - RRIG)

General Practitioner Procedural Traning Support Program (GPPTSP)

GP Support Program

gplearning

Health Workforce Queensland Locum Service

Health Workforce Queensland Recruitment Service

Auspicing Body
Health Workforce Queensland

Website
http://www.healthworkforce.com.au/Main.asp?NodeID=27656

Overview
Health Workforce Queensland provides a comprehensive Recruitment Service for private general practices in rural and remote Queensland and Aboriginal Medical Services throughout all of Queensland. The Recruitment Service offers a range of support to practices seeking to fill a vacancy including:

Free advertising of doctor vacancies on the Health Workforce Queensland website
Candidate screening: applications will be assessed to ensure that applicants meet specific needs and satisfy our recruitment criteria.
Assistance with paperwork: Assistance will be provided to negotiate the application process including, but not limited to, Sponsorship, nomination and visa, provider numbers and Medical Board of Queensland registration.
Orientation: Recruited doctors are offered an orientation in Brisbane which covers an introduction to Medicare and relevant GP colleges (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine), cultural awareness training and software training
Ongoing support for the practice and recruited doctor
Family Support

All Recruitment Service staff are accredited with the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association.

Basic Eligibility
The Recruitment Service provides support to private general practices in locations classified ASGC-RA2 to 5 and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in locations classified ASGC-RA1 to 5.

Application Process
GP vacancies may be uploaded to the Health Workforce Queensland website directly by completing the 'Advertise your GP vacancy' form in the 'Recruitment & Locums' section. For further information or support, please contact the Health Workforce Queensland Recruitment Service directly.

Email
recruitment@healthworkforce.com.au

Phone
(07) 3105 7800

Fax
(07) 3105 7801

Mail
Health Workforce Queensland Recruitment Service, GPO Box 2523, Brisbane Qld 4001

HECS Reimbursement Scheme

Auspicing Body
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and Medicare Australia

Website
http://www.health.gov.au/hecs-reimbursement-scheme
http://www.doctorconnect.gov.au/internet/otd/publishing.nsf/Content/program-hrs

Overview

The HECS Reimbursement Scheme aims to promote careers in rural medicine and increase the number of doctors in rural and regional Australia in the longer term. Through the scheme, communities will gain improved access to health services as more doctors move to work in rural areas. Participants in the scheme will have a proportion of their HECS fees incurred for medical studies reimbursed for each year of training undertaken or service provided in rural and remote areas of Australia. The scheme applies to Australian medical graduates who choose to undertake postgraduate training, or provide medical services in designated rural and remote areas.

Basic Eligibility

To be eligible, graduates must have completed their medical degree in 2000 or later. Applicants must:

Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident of Australia; and,
Have completed an accredited Australian medical course, leading to the award of a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery degree (MBBS) or equivalent for which a HECS fee was payable; and,
Be undertaking training or providing medical services in ASGC-RA 2 to 5 locations for an initial period of 12 months.

Notes:

Payments will only be made after an initial continuous 12 month period of training undertaken or service provided on the basis of proof of employment.
Graduates who have received a bonded scholarship or a scholarship that covered HECS fees, may not be eligible for the HECS Reimbursement Scheme.
Full-fee paying medical students are not eligible for the HECS Reimbursement Scheme.

Application Process

To register for the scheme, graduates are required to complete an application form (available from the Medicare Australia website) and forward it with the appropriate attachments to Medicare Australia.

Phone
1800 010 550

Inaccessibility Incentive Scheme (Inaccessibility Allowance)

Locum Subsidy

Medical Education and Training Program (MET)

Auspicing Body
Health Workforce Queensland

Website
http://www.healthworkforce.com.au/Main.asp?NodeID=27664

Overview

Health Workforce Queensland has provided access to quality medical education and training opportunities for Queensland Rural Doctors since 1998. The lack of training opportunities and professional isolation are frequently cited as key motivators for leaving rural practice. It has been nationally recognised that access to training is a key factor in improving the retention rates of doctors. Health Workforce Queensland under the core funding from the Department of Health and Ageing are able to offer subsidies for rural doctors to access medical education and training. Health Workforce Queensland provides medical education and training specific to the rural doctor's educational needs. Workshops are held throughout Queensland with the aim of providing equitable access for all rural doctors to support continued practice in a rural or remote area. The interactive workshops are procedural based and many include the use of medium fidelity patient simulators in clinical scenarios. The target audience for these workshops include:

Rural and remote public and private doctors
GP registrars
Rural and remote nurses
Queensland Health Doctors

The workshops are accredited by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Some of the workshops qualify for the Procedural Training Grant and a Travel and Accommodation Subsidy is available to eligible practitioners.

Basic Eligibility

Workshops are open to all rural and remote public and private doctors, GP registrars and rural and remote nurses.

Application Process

Applicants may lodge an expression of interest (EOI) for a workshop or series of workshops online or return a hard copy EOI form to Health Workforce Queensland. The Medical Education and Training team will contact you closer to the date of the workshop to confirm registration details. Alternatively, applicants may register for a workshop online or return a hard copy registration form. Both the EOI and registration forms are available on the Health Workforce Queensland website.

Email
met@healthworkforce.com.au

Phone
(07) 3105 7800

Fax
(07) 3105 7801

Mail
Health Workforce Queensland, GPO Box 2523, Brisbane Qld 4001

More Doctors for Outer Metropolitan Areas Relocation Incentive Grant (Relocation Grant)

Auspicing Body
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

Website
http://www.health.gov.au/outermetro

Overview

The More Doctors for Outer Metropolitan Areas strategy provides financial incentives for doctors to relocate to, or remain in, outer metropolitan areas. It also provides training opportunities for doctors undertaking general practice or specialist training in outer metropolitan areas. General Practitioners and registrars who join an existing outer metropolitan practice and work full-time at the location for at least two years could be entitled to $30,000. General Practitioners or registrars who wish to set up their own outer metropolitan practice and work full-time at their new approved location for at least three years may qualify for a Grant of $40,000.

Basic Eligibility

To be eligible General Practitioners must:

Have worked in an inner metropolitan practice in the 12 months before applying; and
Have not worked in a rural or outer metropolitan area in the 12 months before applying; and
Are not subject to any Medicare provider number restrictions; and
Are relocating to a practice that is at least 3 kilometres from your present location.

To be eligible GP registrars must:

Be on the General Pathway of the Australian General Practice Training Program (AGPTP). Registrars on the Rural Pathway of the AGPTP are not eligible.
Choose to work in an outer metropolitan practice (even if the final training placement is in a rural or outer metropolitan area); and
Submit their application within three months of achieving Fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (after this time GP eligibility criteria apply).

Application Process

GPs and registrars must complete and submit an application form available from the Department of Health and Ageing website. GP registrars are encouraged to submit their application prior to attaining fellowship to obtain pre-approval that can be confirmed after gaining Fellowship.

Email
outermetro@health.gov.au

Fax
(02) 6289 7900

Mail
More Doctors for Outer Metropolitan Areas, Department of Health and Ageing, MDP 50, GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601

National Prescribing Service Educational Visits (NPS)

National Rural and Remote Health Infrastructure Program (NRRHIP, formerly Rural Medical Infrastructure Fund)

Auspicing Body
Office of Rural Health - Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

Website
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/nrrhip-lp

Overview

The National Rural and Remote Health Infrastructure Program (NRRHIP) aims to improve access to health services by providing funding to rural and remote communities where the lack of infrastructure is a barrier to the establishment of new, or the enhancement of existing health services. A total of $500,000 (GST exclusive) is available under the NRRHIP for eligible applicants seeking to provide services in rural and remote communities with populations of up to 20,000. The amount for each funding stream of an application will be capped as follows:

$500,000 (GST exclusive) for capital works / refurbishment;
$250,000 (GST exclusive) for equipment; and/or
$50,000 (GST exclusive) strategic service planning for rural private hospitals.

Basic Eligibility

Those eligible to apply for funding under the NRRHIP include:

Local government organisations (shire councils, district councils, regional councils); or
Divisions of General Practice; or
Aboriginal Corporations incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006; or
Private practitioners (where funding will be used for training facilities for medical students/registrars); or
Allied health professionals (who are providing privately insurable health services) and dentists in private practice; or
Rural private hospitals including those eligible under the former Bush Nursing, Small Community and Regional Private Hospitals program and the former Rural Private Access (RPA) program; or
Rural Workforce Agencies that apply for funding as a partnership agreement with any other eligible applicants.

Application Process

Rounds of funding are available periodically. The Department of Health and Ageing will indicate the funding status of the program (http://www.health.gov.au/tenders). Applications must be submitted in hard copy in accordance with the application guidelines. The application form, the application and eligibility guidelines and the application assistance package will be available for download from the Department of Health and Ageing tenders page.

Email
nrrhip@health.gov.au

Phone
1800 780 939

Mail
Rural Outreach Services and Infrastructure Section, Rural Health Services and Policy Branch (MDP 91), Office of Rural Health, Department of Health and Ageing, GPO Box 9848, CANBERRA ACT 2601

North and West Queensland Primary Health Care (NWQPHC)

Practice Incentive Program/Service Incentive Program (PIP/SIP)

Auspicing Body
Medicare Australia

Website
http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/incentives/pip/index.jsp

Overview

The Practice Incentives Program (PIP) aims to recognise general practices that provide comprehensive, quality care, and which are either accredited or working towards accreditation against the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners' (RACGP) Standards for General Practices. The PIP is part of a blended payment approach for general practice. Payments made through the program are in addition to other income earned by the general practitioners and the practice, such as patient payments and Medicare rebates. A range of payments correspond with 13 broad elements including:

After hours incentive
Practice nurse incentive
Quality prescribing incentive
Teaching incentive
Rural loading
Cervical screening incentive
Asthma incentive
Diabetes Incentive
Procedural GP payment
Domestic violence incentive
Aged Care Access incentive
eHealth incentive
Indigeneous health incentive

Basic Eligibility

To enter the PIP program, all participating practices, including their associated or branch practice, be formally accredited as general practices. The PIP is available to general practices that are accredited, or registered for accreditation against the RACGP Standards for General Practices (3rd Edition). Additional requirements and eligibility criteria apply to specific classes of payments. Please refer to the website for further details.

Application Process

If a practice wishes to join the PIP then an application package must be completed. This can be obtained by calling the PIP Enquiry Line. Applications are assessed by Medicare Australia and a practice will be advised in writing of their eligibility. If necessary, Medicare Australia will contact the practice for additional information. Please note that the submission of an incomplete application forms can result in a delay to the practice approval process. Medicare Australia may request evidence that a practice is continuing to meet the criteria it has initially claimed, make enquiries by phone, or cross-check information provided by the practice with other data held by Medicare Australia. Medicare Australia will audit a selection of practices annually to verify that they are continuing to meet the various elements they have claimed.

Email
pip@medicareaustralia.gov.au

Phone
1800 222 032

Fax
(08) 8274 9352

Mail
Practice Incentives Program, GPO Box 2572, Adelaide SA 5001

Prevocational General Practice Placements Program (PGPPP)

Queensland Rural Medical Education (QRME)

Queensland Rural Medical Family Network (QRMFN)

RACGP Research Foundation

Registrar Research Fund or RRF Grants (formally known as "Registrar Scholarship and Research Fund")

Registrars Rural Incentive Payments Scheme (Please refer to GPRIP - Registrar Component.)

Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS)

RHealth (formerly known as Southern Queensland Rural Division of General Practice)

Roadmap of Australian Primary Care Research (ROAR)

Royal Flying Doctor Service 2010 Scholarship (Junior Medical Officers)

Rural and Remote Medical Education Online (RRMEO)

Rural Generalist Pathway (2011 Intern Campaign)

Auspicing Body
Queensland Health

Website
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/ruralgeneralist/default.asp

Overview

The Rural Generalist Pathway (RGP) was initiated in Queensland to supply the capable medical workforce that rural and remote communities need. The RGP, a Queensland Health funded initiative, is a fully supported, incentive based career pathway for junior doctors wishing to pursue a vocationally registered career in Rural Generalist Medicine. The recognition of Rural Generalist Medicine as a medical discipline in its own right, now provides attractive remuneration and career opportunities for those medical officers with aspirations of working in rural and remote Queensland as a Rural Generalist in a variety of capacities.

Basic Eligibility

Eligibility to apply for a quarantined Rural Generalist Pathway training position is subject to the following criteria. Applicants must: Hold Australian Citizenship or Permanent Residency status; have completed or are in the process of completing a Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery at an Australian university; have received or eligible upon graduation for general medical registration with the Medical Board of Queensland; and intend to make application to Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) for a general practice training position with a Regional Training Provider by the end of postgraduate year one.

Application Process

Application to join the Rural Generalist Pathway is primarily made by final year medical students via the Undergraduate entry process. Application includes a written submission and interview followed by an exclusive balloting process to a quarantined Rural Generalist Intern training position. The exclusive ballot process coordinated by the Office of Rural Health (Roma) is conducted prior to Queensland Health's general Intern recruitment campaign and ballot. It is important to note that by accepting the offer of a Rural Generalist Pathway Intern training position and participating in the Office of Rural Health / Rural Generalist Pathway Intern Ballot Process, undergraduates forego the opportunity to take part in the General Intern Ballot. Applications for the 2012 Rural Generalist Medicine / Generalist Emergency Medicine Intern Campaign are now open online.

Email
rural_generalist@health.qld.gov.au

Phone
(07) 4616 6947

Fax
(07) 4616 5699

Mail
Rural Generalist Pathway, Cunningham Centre, PMB 2, TOOWOOMBA Q 4350

Rural GP Locum Program (RGPLP)

Auspicing Body
in Qld, through Health Workforce Queensland

Website
http://www.healthworkforce.com.au/main.asp?NodeID=29589

Overview
Health Workforce Queensland in partnership with Rural Health Workforce Australia is pleased to provide rural and remote GPs with support through the Rural GP Locum Program. The Rural GP Locum Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. The program is a new Australian Government program which was announced in the May 2009 Federal Budget and launched December 21 2009. The Rural GP Locum Program is designed to supply affordable, quality locum relief to rural and remote GPs. The Rural GP Locum Program has two elements. First the Rural GP Locum Program will recruit doctors who are willing to support their rural and remote colleagues by providing a locum service.

Basic Eligibility
The Rural GP Locum Program provides rural and remote GPs with access to locums and to a subsidy to offset the costs of engaging the locum. The Rural GP Locum Program is administered by Rural Health Workforce Australia in partnership with the Rural Workforce Agencies. To be eligible to apply for a Rural GP Locum service, you need to be working as a GP in a rural or remote area (RA 2-5 location). Please note that locum availability is limited and therefore we will target rural and remote GPs in most need. To check the RA rural classification of your town use our search engine or visit www.doctorconnect.gov.au.

Application Process
The Rural GP Locum Program provides rural and remote GPs with access to locums and to a subsidy to offset the costs of engaging the locum. The Rural GP Locum Program is administered by Rural Health Workforce Australia in partnership with the Rural Workforce Agencies. To be eligible to apply for a Rural GP Locum service, you need to be working as a GP in a rural or remote area (RA 2-5 location). Please note that locum availability is limited and therefore we will target rural and remote GPs in most need. To check the RA rural classification of your town use our search engine or visit www.doctorconnect.gov.au.

Email
recruitment@healthworkforce.com.au

Phone
3105 7800

Fax
3105 7801

Mail
Health Workforce Queensland, GPO Box 2523, Brisbane Qld 4001

Rural Health Continuing Education Program (RHCE Stream Two)

Auspicing Body
National Rural Health Alliance

Website
http://rhce.ruralhealth.org.au/

Overview

The Rural Health Continuing Education Stream Two (RHCE2) program, funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Health and Ageing, supports qualified health professionals working in rural and remote Australia to undertake continuing professional development and inter-professional learning activities.

Grants are available for organisations and groups to access or to develop and/or provide continuing professional development (CPD), continuing professional education (CPE), multi-disciplinary training or inter-professional learning (IPL) and orientation activities that meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers, allied health professionals, General Practitioners, nurses and midwives practising in rural and remote areas of Australia.

Please note GPs (including those trained overseas who have met the requirements of the approved pathway for practice in Australia), nurses and midwives are eligible for support to attend inter-professional learning and orientation programs. However, because they have access from a range of sources for CPD, this program does not provide for the cost of their participation in CPD events.

Grants available under RHCE Stream Two comprise:

project grants to support organisations to develop and/or deliver relevant CPD, IPL and orientation programs and activities, and to help build stakeholder capacity to deliver suitable programs; and
grants to eligible health professionals or groups of health professionals to select and participate in CPD, IPL and orientation programs, especially in their usual working environments.

Basic Eligibility

Guidelines outlining the objectives, selection criteria and priorities that apply to grants, and the associated Application Forms, are available on the Appliccations and guidelines page on the RHCE website. Please read the guidelines and application forms carefully to ensure that your application satisfies all the criteria.

Application Process

Go to the website to obtain information and application processes for these grants.

Email
rhce@ruralhealth.org.au

Phone
1800 987 440

Fax
(02) 6285 4670

Mail
10 Campion Street, Deakin ACT 2600

Rural Health Education Foundation (RHEF)

Auspicing Body
Rural Health Education Foundation

Website
http://www.rhef.com.au/

Overview

Originally established in 1992, the Rural Health Education Foundation works to improve the health and well-being of rural and remote Australians. We provide independent, accredited education services to general practitioners and other health professionals working in rural and remote Australia. Increasingly we have also been providing high-quality community educational resources. We pay particular attention to the health, medical and education needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Rural Health Education Foundation broadcasts distance education programs using digital satellite technology, the Internet including live webcasting, enduring” materials (DVDs), other television services and new technologies as they become available. The Foundation operates a continually expanding network of more than 670 satellite receiving sites throughout rural and remote Australia, called the Rural Health Satellite Network. Today, the Foundation’s satellite network is one of the largest dedicated networks of its kind in the world, reaching more than 90 per cent of rural doctors and other health professionals. The Rural Health Education Foundation is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation that provides an education and information “lifeline to the bush”, to rural and remote health professionals as well as to the communities in which they serve. To the doctors, pharmacists, nurses, administrators and other health workers involved, the programs are invaluable for they provide an opportunity to undertake continuing professional education and receive timely information emanating from national launches or events of national importance.

Basic Eligibility

All health and related professionals are eligible to access Foundation programs and activities.

Application Process

Participants must register with the Foundation to access programs. Registration is free and can be completed online, in the 'Register' section of the Foundation's website.

Email
rhef@rhef.com.au

Phone
(02) 6232 5480

Fax
(02) 6232 5484

Mail
Rural Health Education Foundation, PO BOX 324, Curtin ACT 2605

Rural Locum Education Assistance Program (RLEAP)

Rural Locum Relief Program (RLRP)

Auspicing Body
In Qld: Health Workforce Queensland

Website
http://www.healthworkforce.com.au/Main.asp?NodeID=29271

Overview

The Rural Locum Relief Program (RLRP) is an approved workforce program under the auspices of sections 3GA and 19AA of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act). Section 19AA of the Act was introduced to recognise and support general practice as a vocational specialty, as well as to provide a framework for achieving long term improvements in the quality of doctors working in Australia. All medical practitioners (both Australian-trained, and overseas-trained) are subject to restrictions of section 19AA of the Act if they: Held medical registration by an Australia Medical Board on or after 1 November 1996 and, are Australian permanent residents or Australian citizens and; do not hold continued recognition by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, or by a recognised specialist college. Medical practitioners who were registered before 1 November 1996 will also be subject to section 19AA if: On 1 November 1996 they had not completed intern or supervised training; and on or after 1 November 1996 were not permanent residents or Australian citizens within the meaning of the Migration Act 1958; and are currently temporary resident or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents and; do not hold continued recognition by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, or by a recognised specialist college. Overseas trained medical practitioners who complete their commitment to section 19AB (also known as the 10-year moratorium) are subject to the restrictions under section 19AA of the Act. This means that if a doctor completes their 10-year moratorium, but has not gained Fellowship, or hold specialist recognition, they will still be subject to the restrictions. All medical practitioners restricted by section 19AA are unable to access Medicare benefits unless they apply to participate on an approved training or workforce program under section 3GA of the Act. The RLRP is one of the workforce programs under Section 3GA of the Act. The underlying principle behind the RLRP is to ensure that Australian rural and remote communities have access to appropriately experienced and skilled medical practitioners. RWAs in each State or Territory have delegated responsibilities for administering the RLRP.

Basic Eligibility

Eligible Medical Practitioners

The applicant must be subject to section 19AA of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act).
The applicant must have medical registration appropriate for the position
The applicant must have a minimum of 2+ years experience in general practice, as assessed by the RACGP. Note: If it is clear to the Health Workforce Queensland delegate that the applicant meets this criterion (upon review of the applicant’s employment history), an application may be considered prior to the RACGP assessment being completed. In such cases, the applicant will be expected to have an assessment completed as soon as possible.
The applicant must commit to actively participating in Continuing Professional Development and to make substantial progress towards Fellowship of either RACGP or ACRRM during each approved placement period. Note: The practice is expected to support the applicant in meeting these commitments.

Eligible Positions

The position must be in a private general practice in a RRMA 4-7 location or an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in a RRMA 1-7 location. Note: Skin clinics, hospitals, and after hours only positions are not considered to be eligible.
The position must be for a general practitioner who offers primary, continuing, comprehensive whole-person care for individuals, families and communities.
The position must be in a group practice with at least one other experienced general practitioner (and that general practitioner should not be on the RLRP). Note: Solo positions will not be approved.
If the applicant is subject to section 19AB of the Act, the practice must have district of workforce shortage status.
An experienced Fellow must be nominated as a mentor. It is preferable for the mentor to work in the same practice as the approved placement, however alternative arrangements will be considered on a case by case basis.

Application Process

Contact the Recruitment and Locums Team at Health Workforce Queensland for further details about the application process.

Email
recruitment@healthworkforce.com.au

Phone
(07) 3105 7800

Fax
(07) 3105 7801

Mail
Health Workforce Queensland, GPO Box 2523, Brisbane Qld 4001

Rural Other Medical Practitioners Program (ROMPs or ROMPP)

Auspicing Body
Medicare Australia

Website
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/work-pr-romps

Overview

The Rural Other Medical Practitioners (ROMPs) program provides access to the A1 Medicare rebate to non-vocationally recognised medical practitioners providing general practice services in eligible rural and remote areas. Normally, these practitioners would only be able to access the lower A2 Medicare rebate. The aim of the ROMPs Program is to recognise the value of services provided by doctors in rural and remote areas and provide substantial benefits for their patients.

Basic Eligibility

To be eligible for this program a doctor must:

Be non-vocationally recognised (also known as Other Medical Practitioners); and
Agree to express an interest in achieving Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners or Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.

A doctor must also be providing services in any of the following designated locations:

Classified RRMA 4 to7; or
Defined 'areas of consideration'; or
Approved RRMA 3 locations which have significant medical workforce shortages (as deemed eligible by the Departmental Delegate).

Other medical practitioners include (and further eligibility criteria apply to):

Salaried doctors; and
Medical graduates; and
Overseas Trained Doctors; and
Temporary resident doctors; and
Special interest practitioners who wish to specialise in general practice; and
Doctors providing GP services in RRMA 4 to 7 locations through the Rural Locum Relief (RLRP) program or State Overseas Trained Doctors initiative.

Application Process

An application form must be completed and submitted to Medicare Australia. Application forms are available from the Department of Health and Ageing website. Health Workforce Queensland will submit applications on behalf of practitioners on the Rural Locum Relief Program (RLRP).

Email
pacdweb@health.gov.au

Phone
(08) 8274 9784

Fax
(08) 8274 9307

Mail
Medicare Australia, Provider Eligibility Section, GPO Box 9822, Adelaide SA 5001

Rural Retention Program (Please refer to the GPRIP - GP component.)

Small Grants Program (QRMFN Small Grants Program)

Auspicing Body
Queensland Rural Medical Family Network

Website
http://www.qrmfn.com.au/SupportServices/SmallGrantsProgram/tabid/149/Default.aspx

Overview

The QRMFN ‘Small Grants Program’ for Regional Networking Events is designed to help facilitate increased face-to-face networking opportunities for rural medical spouses, partners and families throughout remote and regional Queensland. It is envisaged that this form of interaction will help to retain rural medical families (and doctors) within the rural setting, through the establishment of broader informal social and support networks among members and the sharing of information and common experiences. By supporting individuals and organisations operating ‘on the ground’ in these areas, QRMFN hopes to encourage a more ‘ground roots’ approach to increasing interactivity among its members in a manner that is appropriate and relevant to individuals at the local level. Small grants up to $500 (inclusive of GST) are available to help with costs associated with the organisation and delivery of spouse/family networking events in rural/regional areas (ASGC-RA 2-5). However, the amount allocated to any given application will depend on a range of factors.

Basic Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

QRMFN management committee members,
QRMFN volunteer representatives,
Rural division representatives,
Rural training consortia,
Office of Rural Health, and
Other relevant individuals and organisations

Examples of relevant events may include:

Networking opportunities over morning tea, lunch or afternoon tea; or
Social activities conducted in conjunction with or independent of continuing medical education or other medical events; or,
"Meet and Greet" welcome events for new doctors and their families; or,
Personal development events; or,
Information sharing events; or,
Other initiatives which encourage social interaction between rural medical families.

Application Process

An application form is available for download from the 'Support Services' section on the QRMFN website. Please contact the QRMFN Project Officer for further assistance. QRMFN will review and consider each grant application based on its merits. The following are some of the factors which will be considered when assessing each application:

Anticipated benefits of the event for participants in terms of networking and retention objectives
Degree of remoteness
Frequency of alternative networking opportunities, and
Availability of alternative sources of funding for the event.

Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application within two weeks of receipt.

Email
qrmfn@healthworkforce.com.au

Phone
1800 882 156

Fax
(07) 3105 7801

Mail
Queensland Rural Medical Family Network, Health Workforce Queensland, GPO Box 2523, Brisbane Qld 4001

Specialist Obstetrician Locum Scheme (SOLS)

Spouse Bursaries (QRMFN Spouse Bursaries)

Training for Rural and Remote Procedural General Practitioners Program (Procedural Training Grants, TRRPGPP)

Auspicing Body
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing in conjunction with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)

Website
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/work-pr-rpgp
http://www.acrrm.org.au/news/procedural-grants
http://www.racgp.org.au/rural/traininggrants

Overview

The Training for Rural and Remote Procedural General Practitioners Program (TRRPGPP) provides financial assistance for procedural GPs in rural and remote areas to access relevant activities in order to assist them in maintaining or updating their skills. The program has two components. It provides support for:

procedural GPs practising in surgery, anaesthetics and/or obstetrics in ASGC-RA 1 - 5 localities; and
GPs practising emergency medicine in ASGC-RA 2 - 5 localities.

NB Procedural GPs in ASGC-RA 1 localities are subject to specific eligibility criteria.

Basic Eligibility

To be eligible for Component 1, procedural GPs practising in surgery, anaesthetics and/or obstetrics must:

Have attained qualifications in a procedural field, and/or
Have recognition as a procedural GP in a rural hospital; and
Require on-going training to maintain their skill level; and
Work in a location classified ASGC-RA 1 to 5.

Please note: practitioners working in ASGC-RA 1 locations are subject to additional eligibility criteria.

To be eligible for Component 2, GPs practising emergency medicine must:

Work in a location classified ASGC-RA 2 to 5; and
Have already attained the qualifications, clinical privileges or experience and necessary skills to practice emergency medicine; and
Currently hold an appointment in emergency medicine at the facility nominated; or
Provide evidence of regular involvement in a facility as outlined above; and
Require on-going training to maintain their skills level.

Application Process

To receive a grant under the program, GPs must initially apply for registration with a college - either the Australian College of Rural or Remote Medicine (ACRRM) or the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). The Colleges will assess eligibility for grant components based on the information submitted in the registration process. The Colleges will advise applicants of the outcome of their registration and will advise Medicare Australia of successful applicants. Participants are then able to make claims for grants following attendance at eligible training programs. Please refer to either College for further information about the application for registration and claims processes.

Email
pauline.curtis@racgp.org.au
trrpgp@acrrm.org.au

Phone
ACRRM: 1800 223 226 RACGP: 1800 636 764

Fax
ACRRM: (07) 3105 8299 RACGP: (08) 8267 8359

Mail
ACRRM Procedural Medicine Grants, GPO Box 2507, Brisbane Qld 4001

Travel and Accommodation Subsidy

Auspicing Body
Health Workforce Queensland

Website
http://www.healthworkforce.com.au/Main.asp?NodeID=27668

Overview

Health Workforce Queensland's Medical Education and Training team provides up to $400 to non-procedural rural and remote practitioners to offset the cost of attending Health Workforce Queensland medical education and training workshops. The aim of the subsidy is to facilitate access to continuing medical education for practitioners located a substantial distance from where workshops are offered and who are not eligible for subsidisation through the Training for Rural and Remote Procedural Practitioner Program. The extent of the subsidy depends upon the ASGC-RA classification of practice location and practice type, whether a practitioner works in private general practice or an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.

Basic Eligibility

To be eligible for a subsidy, the applicant must:

Work in private general practice in a location classified ASGC 2-5. (This includes registrars and locum practitioners. However to be eligible, locums must have completed or intend to complete a minimum of four weeks work per year in a location classified ASGC-RA 2-5 or at an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in a location classified ASGC-RA 1-5); or
Work in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in a location classified ASGC-RA 2-5; and
Not be eligible for a training grants under Component 1 or 2 of the Training for Rural and Remote Procedural General Practitioners Program (TRRPGPP) administered by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Royal Australian College for General Practitioners (RACGP), and
Travelled more than 100kms to attend a Medical Education and Training workshop.

Please note: Queensland Health employees (including MSRPPs) are not eligible to apply for a subsidy.

Application Process

Applicants must complete and return a 'Delegate Travel and Accommodation Claim' form within 31 days of the conclusion of the CME event. Applications must include original receipts for claims (such as accommodation, mileage or taxi fare for example). The 'Delegate Travel and Accommodation Claim' form is available from the Health Workforce Queensland website.

Email
met@healthworkforce.com.au

Phone
(07) 3105 7800

Fax
(07) 3105 7801

Mail
Health Workforce Queensland, GPO Box 2523, Brisbane Qld 4001

Tropical Medical Training (TMT)

Workforce Support for Rural General Practitioners Program (WSRGP)