New Zealand Doctors
New Zealand Doctors no longer ‘OTDs’
Opportunities for New Zealand doctors
Our services
Why work with a professional recruitment agency?
New Zealand Doctors will no longer be classified as ‘overseas trained doctors’
Overseas trained doctors (OTDs) (or International Medical Graduates (IMGs)) who were first recognised after 1 January 1997 are restricted from providing professional services that attract Medicare benefits for a period of 10 years. This restriction is enforced under section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 and is commonly called the ‘10-year moratorium’. Exemptions to the restrictions can be granted if the OTD works in a district of workforce shortage.
Since the introduction of the legislation in 1996, New Zealand citizens and permanent resident doctors practising in Australia who were first registered by a State or Territory medical board after 1 January 1997 have been subject to the restriction.
The Health Insurance Amendment (New Zealand Overseas Trained Doctors) Bill 2009 was introduced in Parliament in October 2009 to rectify this situation.
Prior to 1996, the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement allowed Australian and New Zealand citizens to visit, live and work in each other‘s country without the need to apply for authority. In September 1994, changes to the Migration Act 1958 required all lawful non-citizens of Australia to hold visas. However, in recognition of the special travel arrangement between New Zealand and Australia, the Special Category Visa (SCV) was introduced for New Zealand citizens. Under this arrangement, when New Zealand citizens arrive in Australian and present their passports at immigration, they are considered to have applied for a visa and, subject to health or character considerations, automatically receive an SCV.
Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 treats New Zealand citizen and permanent resident doctors as non-citizens without permanent status in Australia and classifies them as OTDs if they were recognized in Australian after 1 January 1997.
What’s in it for New Zealand doctors?
The Bill will remove the 10-year moratorium restrictions on New Zealand citizen and permanent resident doctors trained at Australian Medical Council accredited New Zealand or Australian medical schools.
The change effectively removes these doctors from the classification of ‘overseas trained doctor’ in the Health Insurance Act. This means these New Zealand doctors will no longer be bound to work in districts of workforce shortage in order to obtain a Medicare provider number, thus making it more attractive for these doctors to relocate to Australia.
This also means that New Zealand citizen and permanent residents who are locally trained in Australian medical schools will no longer be classified as ‘former overseas medical students’ and be bound to the same restrictions. In the postgraduate general practice training context, they will no longer be required to undertake the Rural Pathway.
When will the change commence?
The Bill is expected to pass through Parliament in the Autumn 2010 Parliamentary sitting periods. The changes will commence on 1 April 2010 or on Royal Assent, whichever is the later date.
Opportunities for New Zealand doctors
The change in legislation undeniably translates to excellent opportunities for New Zealand doctors seeking to practice in Australia. From 1 April 2010, New Zealand doctors belonging to the category specified in the Bill will be able to access a Medicare provider number without restriction to practice location - an opportunity that has not been available since 1996.
Furthermore, with the ongoing nation-wide shortage of medical practitioners, most areas of Australia are actively seeking high quality doctors to provide professional services. While the shortage is acute in rural and remote areas, regional, outer metropolitan and, to a lesser extent, inner metropolitan areas are also experiencing GP shortages.
If you are a New Zealand doctor who is interested in working in Australia contact us to discuss your opportunities.
To read about the Australian lifestyle and popular relocation destinations, click here To read why you should choose Australia, click here.
Our services
Based in Canberra, the nation’s capital, Aster Medical is a family recruitment firm that specialises in medical recruitment. As a smaller firm we service fewer clients and maintain the ability to offer personalised attention to our doctors.
Our focus is on the importance of a balanced lifestyle and reducing stress. As a family firm we recognize that a doctor’s family plays a crucial role in his or her decision to take up and remain in practice.
Aster Medical is committed to providing a range of services to assist doctors and their families when relocating interstate. All our services associated in the recruitment of a doctor are free of charge (!) and include guidance such as finding accommodation, schooling for your children, day care, and much more.
Why work with a professional recruitment agency?
In an era where everything is available on line, one might well ask why they should be involved with a recruiter.
Here are a few reasons why you should go through Aster Medical.
- Our recruitment services to doctors are absolutely free.
- We have access to a huge number of unadvertised vacancies that you couldn’t otherwise access.
- Searching for suitable positions, forwarding a CV and arranging an interview can be very time consuming and can take frequent phone calls and correspondence We do all this efficiently on your behalf and keep you informed along the way.
- We know how to write strategic and effective CVs that are consistent with what is expected in Australia and market your skills to prospective employers.
- Very few candidates can make a move without considering the needs of their families. Part of our process includes a community needs assessment to help make sure each member of the family is looking forward to the move.
- Our specialty is medical recruitment. We know the market, salaries and benefits by specific locations and we always work on your behalf when negotiating remuneration and accommodation.
Aster Medical, providing a holistic, ethical recruitment service
 |
|---|
