I’m a Clinic—what Doctors can I get in my practice?

This is a FAQ BLOG and you can refer to our The Recruitment & Retention of General Practitioners in Australia blog here.

Need help understanding your pathway?

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Date Updated: 2026-01-27

Location plays a key part in determining the type of doctors that you can hire for your practice.

Here’s a visual summary of which doctors you can get for your area:

*Must be in a DPA: IMGs in GP Training, PFP participants, and RACGP PEP Specialist Pathway participants (except those from NZ).

Note: There are currently no locations that are both Non-DPA and MM2-7.

DPA / MM 1

At these locations, you can hire a:

• Expedited Pathway (bills A1 Rates)
• VR Doctor (bills A1 Rates)
• NZ Doctor (bills A1 Rates)
• Non VR Doctor (bills A2 Rates):
  • Non VR Doctors cannot pursue Fellowship in a MM1 location unless they are either on a rural pathway exemption participating in AGPT, or gaining experience prior to Fellowship on PFP.
  • Non VR Doctors should leave the clinic if they start Fellowship training and/or gain permanent residency.

You can offer sponsorship for GPs that have a temporary resident visa.

DPA / MM 2 – 7

At these locations, you can hire a:

• VR Doctor (bills A1 Rates)
• NZ Doctor (bills A7 Rates if Non VR)
• Non VR Doctor (bills A7 Rates):
  • Non VR Doctors will move to A1 rates once they’re on a GP Fellowship Training Program. 

You can hire many types of Doctors in a DPA rural area. These Doctors are similar with the ones in the DPA metro location, but they only differ in the rates they bill.

Non DPA / MM 1

At these locations, you can hire a:

• Unrestricted Doctor (bills A1 Rates)
• Expedited Pathway Doctor with NZ MBBS (bills A1 Rates)
• *VR Doctor who has a 19AB Exemption (bills A1 Rates)
• *Non VR Doctor who is on a visa and has a 19AB exemption (bills A2 Rates):
  • Non VR Doctors cannot pursue Fellowship in a MM1 location unless they are either on a rural pathway exemption participating in AGPT, or gaining experience prior to Fellowship on PFP.
  • Non VR Doctors should leave the clinic if they start Fellowship training and/or gain permanent residency.

*Must be in a DPA: IMGs in GP Training, PFP participants, and RACGP PEP Specialist Pathway participants (except those from NZ).

*DPA Exemptions include: 

• Spousal 
• Academic
• After Hours
• Locum
• Replacement

Non DPA / MM 2 – 7

Note: There are currently no locations that are both Non-DPA and MM2-7.

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 want to talk to someone about your pathway or practice management—book a consultation with us below, or if you need Recruitment or Document Assistance, contact us at help@peoplemedical.com.au or click the buttons below. We’d be glad to help you!

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