Area of Need Assessment
Overview
Area of Need positions are declared by Australian state or territory government authorities in places where there's a shortage of medical specialists. These are often in rural or remote areas.
You can find Area of Need vacancies on Australian state and territory government health services websites.
If you've been offered an Area of Need position, you'll need to be assessed by the RACP before being eligible to start work. Due to the demanding nature of Area of Need positions, we'll only support your appointment if there's suitable supervision available and you're found to be substantially comparable to an Australian trained specialist.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for Area of Need assessment, you must:
- undergo specialist assessment and be found substantially comparable
- have a job offer for a designated Area of Need position
You can apply for Area of Need assessment either at the same time or after specialist assessment in your relevant specialty/specialties.
Fees
The Area of Need (AoN) application fee is $1,901.00 AUD including GST.
To help you plan for estimated total costs, see the full breakdown and fee structure for specialist assessment.
Fees
|
AUD$ |
| Area of Need application submission fee |
1901.00 |
All fees are non-refundable, so if you’re unsure about your eligibility or would like personalised guidance before applying, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We're here to help you navigate your pathway with clarity and confidence.
How to apply
If you've secured an Area of Need position, you may submit your application for Area of Need together with your application for specialist assessment.
Alternatively, you may submit your application for Area of Need after your comparability decision is issued or during the completion of your requirements.
Collect these documents before applying for an Area of Need assessment:
- declaration of Area of Need issued by the Health Department in the relevant state or territory
- detailed position description on hospital letterhead
- letter of offer of employment
Download and complete your Area of Need application form. Submit it with all supporting documents to OTP@racp.edu.au.
Outcome
From your application, we'll determine if you've the training and experience required for the Area of Need position. You'll be found either suitable or not suitable for the position.
Suitable
We can only support your appointment to the Area of Need position if there's suitable supervision available and you're found to be substantially comparable to an Australian trained specialist during your specialist assessment.
If we determine that you're suitable for the Area of Need position, you'll need to complete:
- a period of practice under peer review
- other requirements as necessary
Not suitable
If you don't have the right training or experience needed for the Area of Need position, we'll determine that you're not suitable and can't work in the position.
If you find a different Area of Need position, you'll need to submit a new application form. All new applications incur an application fee.