Financial incentives for medical practitioners to work in rural and remote areas of Australia
The Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) – Doctor Stream provides direct financial incentives to medical practitioners who deliver eligible primary care services or undertake approved GP/Rural Generalist training in rural and remote (MM 3–7) locations across Australia.
Payments are made through two systems (Central Payment System and Flexible Payment System) and are based on activity levels, time in the program and, from 2024-01-01, a doctor’s vocational registration status.
To be eligible, medical practitioners must:
- provide a minimum amount of eligible primary care services in eligible locations and/or undertake eligible GP or Rural Generalist training under an approved training pathway in MM 3 to 7 locations
- meet the required number of active quarters for payment
- have an eligible current Medicare provider number
- and have provided current bank account details to Services Australia specifically for the WIP - Doctor Stream through the Health Professional Online Service (HPOS)
Eligible primary care services are clinical services from MBS Category 1, 2, 3 and 7 (telehealth generally eligible except some specialist items).
Active quarter thresholds:
- CPS minimum $6,000 of eligible MBS-billed primary care services per quarter (maximum quarterly threshold $30,000)
- FPS minimum 21 sessions (each 3+ hours) per quarter (maximum 104 sessions)
Doctors must apply through the FPS for all time providing WIP - Doctor Stream eligible services to ensure activity is counted.
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Last updated: 12 February 2026