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District of Workforce Shortage Specialist

Created 25/02/2020

Updated 27/08/2025

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The District of Workforce Shortage (DWS) classification system for non-GP specialists is an impartial mechanism used by the Government to encourage a more equitable distribution of non-GP specialist doctors who are restricted under s19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973, including International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and Foreign Graduates of Accredited Medical Schools (FGAMS). • The DWS classification system is also used to distribute Australian-trained Bonded non-GP specialists who have a return of service obligation. • The DWS system as applied to specialists refers to the broadest grouping of a specialty and includes all sub-categories of that specialty (i.e. identifies the Derived Major Specialty) • The DWS uses population and Medicare billing data to determine a specialist-to-population ratio in SA3 geographical regions of Australia. • Areas classified ASGS – RA 3-5 under the ABS’ Australian Statistical Geography Standard – Remoteness Areas (ASGS – RA) are automatically DWS for distributed specialties. • There are currently eight specialties subject to distribution using the DWS classification system: o Anaesthetics o Cardiology o Diagnostic Radiology o General Surgery o Medical Oncology o Obstetrics and Gynaecology o Ophthalmology o Psychiatry • The attached file for the DWS as at November 2023 (most recent annual update). As the files may be updated at short notice for program purposes, please ensure you use the Health Workforce Locator for the most up-to-date and official DWS location status.

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Additional Info

Field Value
Title District of Workforce Shortage Specialist
Language English
Licence Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Australia
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/126a92c5-988b-4912-a358-b625c1232ef6
Contact Point
Department of Health and Aged Care
HWDDataGovernance@health.gov.au
Reference Period 25/02/2020
Geospatial Coverage http://www.ga.gov.au/place-names/PlaceDetails.jsp?submit1=GA1
Data Portal Data.gov.au