What is a Distribution Priority Area (DPA)?

The term ‘Distribution Priority Area’ (DPA) is the Australian Government’s classification system used to address the geographic maldistribution of the Australian medical workforce. DPA comes from section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973, which restricts access to Medical Provider Numbers (MPN) for international medical graduates (IMGs).

To access the Medicare Benefits Scheme, IMGs must work in a DPA for 10 years from the date of medical registration in Australia. Usually, the Department of Health can only grant a Medicare Provider number to an IMG working in a DPA location.

The DPA system considers the GP-to-population ratio, demographics (gender/age), and socioeconomic status of patients living in a GP catchment area. An area classified as a DPA for GPs has been assessed as not receiving adequate GP services for the needs of that population.

The DPA applies blanket rules:

• Inner metropolitan areas are automatically considered non-DPA
• Modified Monash (MM) 2 – 7 are automatically considered DPA
• Northern Territory and Tasmania are automatically MM2+, and considered DPA
• Benchmarks are used to determine services required in GP catchment areas and are fixed for three years to allow areas to stabilise their workforce.

A map of Distribution Priority Areas is available at the Health Workforce Locator.

There are methods to shorten the 10-year moratorium

• DPA Scaling
• The 5-year Overseas Trained Doctor (OTD) Program

There are sometimes exemptions that allow IMGs to be able to work in non-DPA locations before the end of their moratorium:

• Replacement exemption
• 6-month locum exemption
• Spouse exemption
• Academic exemption

If you have a specific query, you can contact the Department of Health at  19AB@health.gov.au

More information about DPA is available on the Department of Health Website.