10Eligible locations

10 Eligible locations

(1) This section is made for the purposes of subsection 124ZT(2) of the Act. Bonded participants who have completed their course of study (2) If a bonded participant has completed their course of study in medicine at an Australian university and has not been admitted to vocational training, any geographic area that is classified as MMM 2, MMM 3, MMM 4, MMM 5, MMM 6 or MMM 7 is prescribed as an eligible location. Bonded participants who are completing vocational training or have attained fellowship (3) If a bonded participant: (a) is completing their vocational training; or (b) has attained their fellowship; then, the following are prescribed as eligible locations: (c) any geographic area that is classified as MMM 2, MMM 3, MMM 4, MMM 5, MMM 6 or MMM 7; (d) in relation to a bonded participant who is a specialist in a speciality other than general practice—a District of Workforce Shortage in relation to that speciality; (e) in relation to a bonded participant who is a specialist in general practice—a Distribution Priority Area. Note: A District of Workforce Shortage or a Distribution Priority Area does not include inner metropolitan areas (see subsection 10(8)). Eligible locations at different points in time (4) If a person is a bonded participant for the purposes of subsection 124ZE(1) of the Act, the following are prescribed as eligible locations: (a) a location that was prescribed as an eligible location at the time that the bonded participant entered into the Bonded Medical Program; (b) a location that is, or becomes, an eligible location within 6 months before the bonded participant commences work at that location. (5) If a person is a bonded participant for the purposes of subsections 124ZE(2) or (3) of the Act, the following are prescribed as eligible locations: (a) a location prescribed as an eligible location at the time that the bonded participant opts in to the Bonded Medical Program under section 124ZU of the Act; (b) a location that is, or becomes, an eligible location within 6 months before the bonded participant commences work at that location. Location where a bonded participant has worked remains eligible for that participant (6) If a bonded participant completes a period of work at an eligible location, the location will be taken to be an eligible location in relation to that bonded participant at any point in time, even if the location subsequently becomes ineligible. Other eligible locations (7) The Minister may, by notifiable instrument, determine any other area as an eligible location from time to time. Definitions (8) In this section:

Distribution Priority Area, in relation to general practice, means the following:

(a) MMM 5, MMM 6 or MMM 7 areas; or
(b) the Northern Territory; or
(c) any area where the DPA Level is less than the DPA Benchmark; or
(d) any geographic area within Australia which the Secretary is satisfied has significantly less access than the national average to medical services provided by a general practitioner;