Information for Employers
Information for Employers | Summary of What the Employer is Required to Do | What is a District of Workforce Shortage? | What are Unmet Areas of Need? | How to Apply for Unmet Areas of Need | Recruitment Agencies
How to Apply for Unmet Areas of Need
If there is no current determination for the required location and position, an application requesting a determination for Unmet Areas of Need must be forwarded to the Department of Health for assessment before an overseas trained doctor with Conditional Registration can be registered. Refer to Unmet Area of Need Application Form.
There are specific criteria that must be addressed in the application. For further information refer to Unmet Area of Need Policy and Guidelines and Unmet Area of Need Assessment Criteria.
Identify a Vacant Position Which Cannot be Filled
In the public sector, a vacancy only exists if there is a funded position which would immediately be filled if a suitable applicant could be found.
Position Description
A Position Description for the vacant position should be attached to the submission. The Position Description should outline the key duties that the position will be required to undertake. This will assist in providing information on the nature and scope of the position. The essential skills, knowledge and experience which are essential to the position must be included. A Position Description template is provided to assist you, if required.
Labour Market Testing
It is required to demonstrate labour market testing has been undertaken and that the vacancy could not be filled by an Australian trained medical practitioner. The rationale for overseas recruitment is that no Australian trained medical practitioner will be disadvantaged by this process. It is therefore essential that the medical community is made aware of this vacancy before a submission for Unmet Areas of Need can be submitted for assessment. Refer to Unmet Area of Need Assessment Criteria.
Is the Position and Location Assessed as a District of Workforce Shortage?
Refer to What is a District of WorKforce Shortage?
Application for Unmet Areas of Need
The employer must submit an Unmet Area of Need Application Form and the required documentation to the WA Department of Health for assessment. Further details on the preparation of an application for Unmet Areas of Need may be found at Unmet Area of Need Application Form and Unmet Area of Need Assessment Criteria.
Certification of Overseas Trained Doctors
Certification of applications and curriculum vitae’s from overseas trained doctors is undertaken by the Department of Health upon receipt of applications and referee reports. The outcomes are forwarded to the Medical Board of WA. (Application for Endorsement of Sponsorship of Medical Practitioners for Residency in WA).
Medical Board of WA
It is important to check whether the location or position is an Unmet Area of Need before progressing further as the Medical Board of WA will not approve Conditional Registration for an overseas trained doctor under section 34(2)(b)(iv) Medical Practitioners Act 2008 (WA) (Special purpose conditional registration) unless information of the current determination (including the expiry date) is provided.
Application Forms and Templates
- Unmet Area of Need Policy and Guidelines
- Unmet Area of Need Assessment Criteria
- Unmet Area of Need Application Form
- Unmet Area of Need Quick Reference Guide
- Unmet Area of Need Roles and Responsibilities
- Unmet Area of Need Appeals Process
The following documents may be used as a guide to support the employer/organisation.
- Curriculum Vitae Proforma for an overseas trained doctor
- Covering Letter Proforma for an overseas trained doctor
- Position Description for employers of unmet areas of need medical practitioner positions
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