Commentary by Martina Stanley & Monique Giron
It is often said that the only thing that is certain in life, is that things will change. At Alecto we have been pointing out for some time that there are indications that there will be changes to DPA areas. With the arrival of the long-awaited “Working better for Medicare review report”, we know a bit more of what those changes will look like. At this stage it’s not clear when these changes will be implemented, our guess is that it will be in the coming months. Please note that our comments on DPA areas are solely based on this one report. It’s impossible to predict when or if the changes will be implemented due to the political nature of these decisions, and the upcoming federal election.
If the recommendations are implemented, it’s likely that DPA areas will be reduced. As stated in the findings in the report, DPA areas are recommended to be reduced from 85% of catchments, to about 40 – 50% of catchments. (page 105 of the Working Better For Medicare Review)
It is also clear that some of the exemptions that have been relied on in the past, like the academic exemption, may be less available. We are already seeing some of these changes being implemented throughout the country. This means that holding a permanent DPA provider number that is valid for your entire moratorium is more important than ever.
Join our 19AB Changes Workshop to gain expert guidance and ensure your practice is ready to navigate the impacts of the Working Better for Medicare Review report.
But there is some good news
There are still many DPA areas available – more than there have been for the past 15 years. This means there are still significant opportunities available for GPs who are ready to move quickly – before the proposed changes come into effect.
So, What’s Next?
For GPs considering coming to Australia – or those already here on a 19AB exemption—it’s hard to predict the future. But if you ask us, our personal advice is clear: secure your position in a DPA location with a valid provider number as soon as possible. The future isn’t likely to offer better opportunities than what’s available now. Take advantage of the current exemptions while they last.
If you have already started on the pathway to Australia, we suggest you move forward as quickly as possible to secure your place.
If you are interested in learning more about job opportunities and ready to move quickly, view our current vacancies for GPs relocating to Australia.