How can I recruit General Practitioners in a Metropolitan Area?

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: 2026-02-19

Before you recruit, it is important to note what type of General Practitioner (GP) you can look for. Below are the following GPs that you can recruit, depending on if they are from a Non DPA or DPA location.

Non DPA / MM 1

At these locations, you can hire a:

• Unrestricted GP (bills A1 Rates)
  • Your best option for recruiting is to hire a VR General Practitioner who is unrestricted by 19AB, which means they do not have a moratorium.
• Expedited Pathway GP with NZ MBBS (bills A1 Rates)
• Expedited Pathway GP with a 19AB exemption
• *VR GP with a 19AB exemption (bills A1 Rates)
• *Non VR GP on AGPT with a rural pathway exemption, or on FSP with exemption due to EUC
• *Non VR GP (without a 19AA restriction) with a 19AB exemption (bills A2 Rates):
  • Non VR GPs 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 GPs should leave the clinic if they start Fellowship training and/or gain permanent residency.
  • Non VR GPs will also bill A2 Medicare rates. You may read more about Medicare rates here.

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

*GPs Restricted By 19AB: You can hire a GP that is restricted by 19AB, however if your practice does not hold DPA, you will need to arrange a 19AB exemption. You can consider the following exemptions:

• Locum Exemption – Allowed to work for 6 months in the practice as a locum.
• After Hours Exemption – Allowed to work during the after-hours.
• Spousal Exemption – Spouses will need to have been approved on a skilled visa in the last 10 years and if they are working as a GP, will either need to be outside of their moratorium or hold an unconditional exemption. Under this exemption, they will need to be within a close distance to their partner’s workplace.  
• Replacement Exemption – A GP has left your practice and you are replacing them.
• Academic Exemption – Teaching Medical Students through a University.

You may read more about 19AB and its exemptions here.

DPA / MM 1

At these locations, you can hire a:

• Expedited Pathway GP (bills A1 Rates)
• VR GP (bills A1 Rates)
• Non VR GP – including those on (1) PFP, on (2) AGPT with a rural pathway exemption, or on (3) FSP with exemption due to EUC (bills A2 Rates):
  • Non VR GPs 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 GPs should leave the clinic if they start Fellowship training and/or gain permanent residency.
  • All Doctors undertaking the Pre-Fellowship Program (PFP) can work in a metropolitan area as long as they practice in a location that is considered as DPA for the duration of the program. Read more about PFP here.
  • If you have a rural pathway exemption in Australian General Practice Training (AGPT), then you are allowed to work in a metropolitan location. The duration of this would depend on the given conditions and period stated on the outcome letter. Read more about AGPT here.

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

Now that you know which GPs you can recruit, you can post a listing on several sites where Doctors find a job offer. Here are some of the sources:

• Seek.com
• Indeed.com
• RACGP
• Via agencies such as People Medical

After posting a job listing, you can search for potential candidates and schedule interviews.

We also specialise in connecting Doctors with Medical Practices, and we would be glad to help you. Contact us below if you need help!

If you’re unsure, you’re welcome to book a consult with us below.

If you’ve recruited your own doctor, but you’re unsure of the paperwork, you can book for DocuHelp below.

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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