Important changes to the Bonded Medical Program

These are a result of extensive lobbying by the federal AMA to improve the operation of the program and address the concerns of participants.

Recognition of work completed prior to opt in

 If you completed program compliant work as a former Bonded Medical Places Scheme or Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship Scheme participant, that work can now be recognised as counting towards your RoSO. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing will soon write to all former legacy scheme participants with advice on how work completed prior to opting into the program can be recognised.

Removal of Fellowship requirement

Previously, at least half of your RoSO had to be fulfilled after obtaining fellowship or 12 years after medical course completion, whichever occurred first. This requirement has been removed, and you are now able to complete all your RoSO as soon as you become a medical practitioner.

Former Bonded Medical Program Scheme 2016–2019 participants

Former Bonded Medical Places Scheme participants with a 52-week return of service obligation are now able to complete their RoSO pro-rata, on a part-time or per day basis, instead of only full-time blocks of at least 10 weeks. These participants must complete 1820 hours of RoSO, with only the first 35 hours worked per week counting toward those hours.

More information is available on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website