Is a Permanent Resident or Citizen still restricted by 19AB/DPA?

This is a FAQ BLOG and you can refer to our 19AB & IMGs blog here.

Need help understanding your pathway?

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Date Updated: 2026-01-06

If you’ve completed your degree outside of Australia or New Zealand, then you will be restricted by 19AB requiring you to work in a DPA for a period of 10 years. 

This is regardless of whether you get your Fellowship, or if you get Permanent Residency or Citizenship.

Please note you can reduce your 10-year moratorium which you can read more about in our blog here.

We Can Help You

Here at People Medical Consulting, we have a passion for guiding medical practitioners through their career pathways to Australia. We have extensive experience in assisting medical facilities in recruiting doctors from local and overseas who will best suit their requirements.

We provide Document Assistance for those requiring support for their PESCI with IME, ACRRM or RACGP, registration and all other mandatory AHPRA requirements, fellowship program related forms and letters, application for Medicare provider and prescriber numbers, application for 19AB or 19AA exemptions and preparation of employment documents.

If you’re looking for assistance, contact us at help@peoplemedical.com.au and we would be glad to help you.

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