GP Jobs in Australia: What Is a DPA Area and Why It Matters in 2025

If you're a doctor looking for GP work in Australia - especially an International Medical Graduate (IMG) - you’ve likely heard the term DPA.

But what does it mean?
How does it affect your Medicare provider number?
And where can you work if you're restricted by DPA status?

In this guide, developed in collaboration with A/Prof George Eskander, Chief Examiner of PassGP, we’ll demystify the DPA system and explain how to find the right GP job for your training and visa goals.

What Is a DPA (Distribution Priority Area)?

DPA stands for Distribution Priority Area.
It’s a classification used by the Australian Department of Health to identify regions with a shortage of medical services, especially GPs.

If a location is classified as a DPA, it means:

• There are not enough GPs for the local population
• IMGs and registrars can work there with Medicare access
• Clinics in those areas are often eligible to employ doctors on limited registration

Why DPA Status Matters

To bill Medicare and see patients independently, most IMGs must:

• Hold a valid provider number
• Work in a DPA location (especially in the first 10 years of practice)

This rule is part of the 10-year moratorium - a government policy that requires IMGs to work in designated areas of need before gaining unrestricted provider access.

Unless you’re exempt, you cannot work in a non-DPA area as a GP until the moratorium ends.

How to Check if a Job Is in a DPA Area

Use the Health Workforce Locator (official government tool):

1. Go to https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/health-workforce-locator
2. Enter the postcode or suburb
3. Select “Distribution Priority Area – General Practice”
4. The tool will show whether it’s a DPA zone

🟢 Green zone = DPA approved
🔴 No shading = non-DPA (Medicare access likely restricted)

DPA Locations in 2025: What's Available?

DPA areas include:

• Regional towns (e.g. Mildura, Geraldton, Dubbo)
• Outer metropolitan zones (e.g. Ipswich, outer Perth, outer Adelaide)
• Rural and remote areas (e.g. Broome, Mount Isa, Alice Springs)

In 2025, several outer-metro areas have regained DPA status, making it more accessible for IMGs seeking work near major cities.

What Kinds of Jobs Are in DPA Areas?

You’ll find:

• GP clinics and medical centres
• Mixed billing or bulk billing practices
• Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS)
• Urgent care or after-hours GP services
• Telehealth and outreach models

Clinics in DPA areas:

• Often offer higher income percentages (e.g. 70–75% of billings)
• May assist with PESCI sponsorship, supervision, or visa support
• Are frequently RACGP or ACRRM accredited for training

 DPA vs Non-DPA: What’s the Real Difference?

Unless you have General Registration + Fellowship, non-DPA areas are off-limits to most IMG GPs.

PassGP Helps You Succeed in Any Location

At PassGP, we prepare doctors working in regional, rural, and remote clinics - and ensure you're ready for:

• PESCI interviews for DPA positions
• FSP or Independent Pathway readiness
• CCE and KFP MSQ exam prep for real-world regional scenarios
• Understanding local systems, referrals, and rural emergency care

Whether you're applying in Darwin or Dandenong, PassGP helps you build clinical confidence, exam readiness, and long-term success.

 What Employers Look for in a DPA Candidate

If you’re applying to a DPA GP job, clinics want:

• AHPRA registration or eligibility
• Strong clinical communication
• Awareness of Australian healthcare systems
• Commitment to rural or outer-metro medicine
• Exam preparation or college enrolment (e.g. RACGP FSP)

Final Tips to Find the Right GP Job

Use trusted platforms like Rural Doctors Network, AMA Careers, or speak directly to training regions

Ask if the clinic can sponsor PESCI or supervise you through FSP/IP

Prioritise jobs with:

• RACGP/ACRRM accreditation
• On-site supervisor
• Existing IMG support

Final Thoughts

Understanding the DPA system is essential for every IMG or early-career doctor hoping to work as a GP in Australia.

By choosing the right location, preparing thoroughly, and using trusted tools like PassGP, you’ll not only get a job - but you’ll also build a career.

 Start your free trial today at PassGP
Your complete partner in PESCI, FSP, and Fellowship exam success.