HECS Reimbursement Scheme
The HECS Reimbursement Scheme reimburses a proportion of standard HECS-HELP fees for medical graduates who pursue a career in rural and remote areas, and had a standard Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) at an Australian university. The scheme aims to increase the number of doctors in rural and remote areas.
To be eligible you must:
- be an Australian citizen or hold an Australian permanent resident visa
- have completed an accredited Australian medical course in a CSP, leading to the award of a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery degree (MBBS) or equivalent
- have completed your final year of study and obtained your medical degree in the last six years
- have undertaken continuous training or provided medical services as defined by the Health Insurance ACT 1973 in an eligible Australian Standard Geographical Classification—Remoteness Area (ASGC–RA) 2–5
location, and - have been a CSP student that incurred HECS-HELP fees.
Payments
Payments are scaled depending on the remoteness of your practice.
The first payment is paid when you finish a continuous 12 months of service or training in an ASGC–RA 2–5 location. Subsequent payments will be paid at the end of every continuous six months service.
Continuous service is medical services or training provided in a RA 2–5 location for a period of 12 or six consecutive months without breaks, beyond normal leave conditions. Any training or medical services provided outside an eligible RA 2–5 location during this period won’t count as continuous service and the qualifying period will start again when you return to the eligible location.
You won’t receive pro-rata payments for less than six months service, or for training or providing services in non-eligible locations.
How to apply
If you’re eligible, after the first 12 months of continuous service in an ASGC–RA 2-5 location complete the HECS Reimbursement Scheme application [PDF, 206Kb]
form and make sure you include relevant documents.
After each six months of continuous service or training (after the initial 12 month period), complete the Subsequent Claim for Payment [PDF, 154Kb].
You must send the forms to us within 12 months of completing an eligible block of service or training.
HECS Reimbursement Scheme Bank Details [PDF, Kb]
For more information
Online HECS Reimbursement Scheme—Rural and Regional Health Australia website
Call 1800 010 550*.
*Call charges apply from mobile and pay phones only.
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Last updated: 29 April, 2013