We know how confusing 19AB restrictions can be, so we have put together a little cheat sheet to walk you through the who, what, when, where, and why! 

WHO IS RESTRICTED BY 19AB?

Any Doctor who completed their degree outside of Australia or New Zealand, or enrolled in their degree while they were a temporary resident will be restricted by 19AB. 

WHAT IS THE 19AB RESTRICTION? 

19AB will require you to work in a Distribution Priority Area (DPA) for a period of 10 years (referred to as the ‘moratorium’) to be able to access Medicare benefits.

DO I HAVE TO ACCESS MEDICARE BENEFITS? 

No. You can apply for a refer and request Medicare Provider number and still see patients. However, patients will not get bulk billed or be able to get a rebate from Medicare for seeing you as a Doctor. 

CAN I REDUCE THE MORATORIUM? 

Yes. By working in an extremely rural or remote area you can scale down your moratorium as much as 5 years. 

IF I BECOME A CITIZEN OR PERMANENT RESIDENT OF AUSTRALIA, AM I STILL RESTRICTED?

Yes. You should also be aware that if you get residency or citizenship before you have achieved Fellowship then you will also be restricted by 19AA. 

WHAT IS 19AA?

19AA restricts citizens and permanent residents of Australia if they have not achieved Fellowship. Read about it here

IF I GET FELLOWSHIP, WILL I STILL BE RESTRICTED BY 19AB?

Yes. 

IF I DON’T GET RESIDENCY, DO I STILL COMPLETE 19AB?

No. If you don’t become a resident of Australia, you will continue to be restricted by 19AB until you do. 

ARE THERE EXEMPTIONS FROM 19AB?

Yes. These are: 

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Services Exemption
• Spousal Exemption
• Replacement Exemption
• Locum
• After Hours Exemption

WHAT IF I STARTED SPEAKING TO A PRACTICE BEFORE THEY LOST DPA?

If you have commenced negotiations for employment at a practice prior to the area losing DPA status, you can be eligible for a 19AB exemption. 

WHAT ABOUT THE AFTER HOURS? 

Working after 6pm and before 8am on weekdays, Saturdays after 12pm and Sundays and Public holidays then this provides an exemption to DPA. Keep in mind though, that if you’re on a visa you’ll need to get a Health Workforce Certificate to be sponsored on your visa.

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU:

Our team offer General Practitioners assistance with finding jobs and a career pathway, and Medical Facilities to find a new Medical Practitioner. We also help with the full application process with AHPRA, RACGP, ACRRM, Department of Health, Medicare including 19AA & 19AB. If we can help, please contact us at help@peoplemedical.com.au.    

People Medical Consulting are a team of professionals with a passion for guiding those specialising in the Medical industry to find their career pathway and settle into Australia. Working with both Australian trained and Overseas trained professionals, we have extensive experience in Recruitment of General Practitioners, and Document Assistance for those requiring support with RACGP, AHPRA, 19AA and 19AB Medicare Exemptions.