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Who can get GP recognition
You’re eligible for GP recognition if you either:
- hold specialist registration in General Practice with the Medical Board of Australia
- were registered for Medicare purposes on the Vocational Register on 16 June 2021 and continue to hold general registration with the Medical Board of Australia.
How to apply
You don’t need to apply to be recognised as a GP if you have both of the following:
- a Medicare provider number
- specialist registration in General Practice with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
We’ll get your registration details automatically.
If you don’t have a Medicare provider number, you can apply if you're a health professional.
Vocational registration
If you were registered on the Vocational Register for Medicare purposes on 16 June 2021, you must maintain general registration with Ahpra. This will mean you can continue to access GP Medicare items.
If you don’t maintain general registration with Ahpra after 16 June 2021, you’ll lose access to GP Medicare items.
Overseas trained doctors and foreign graduates
If you're an overseas trained doctor (OTD) or foreign graduate of an accredited medical school (FGAMS) practising as a GP, you'll also need to apply for a section 19AB exemption before you can claim Medicare benefits.
When you can start claiming GP items
You’ll need to have a provider number for each practice location where you’ll bill or claim Medicare services.
When Ahpra advises you’re a Specialist GP and your eligibility to access Medicare benefits is finalised, we'll send you a letter. You can then claim benefits for GP items from the eligibility date in the letter.
We’ll update your provider record to reflect your new GP status, which will apply to all your practice locations.
GPs who are on the Vocational Register with Medicare on 16 June 2021 and continue to have general registration with Ahpra can claim GP items.
To claim Medicare benefits and be recognised by us is subject to legislative and registration restrictions.
Work as a specialist
You can find out if you can work as a specialist or consultant physician on our website.