IMPORTANT: This thread only applies to those applying for / accepting a BMP for 2020 entry or beyond and those accepting a provisional entry medicine BMP offer in 2019. If you will be accepting your BMP to start medical school in 2019, or have already accepted it in an earlier year, please refer to this thread instead for guidance: [Undergrad] - [2019 entry and earlier] Bonded Medical Places - A Guide
Given the 2018 announcement that the BMP scheme was being updated as of January 1st 2020, I thought it’d be fit to make an updated version of the excellent thread written by LBoG.
Credit goes to LBoG for this thread. I’ve stolen some information from their thread for this one.
Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer. The information on this thread is based off my own understanding of the Bonded Medical Places scheme. The Commonwealth of Australia “strongly recommend” having a lawyer advise you on any BMP commitments you may be considering, and I 100% encourage this. Important questions regarding the BMP scheme should be directed to [email protected].
If you notice any errors or missing information in this post, please inform me so I can update the thread.
Anyhow, without further ado:
What is a Bonded Medical Place?
A BMP is a (funded) place in an Australian medical school – it just comes with a few strings attached. Given the workforce distribution issues within Australia, the government came up with the BMP scheme in an attempt to address these issues – in particular, to increase the number of workers in areas of workforce shortage in Australia (these most commonly being rural and remote communities).
BMPs are additional course places to CSP (and FFP) positions and they make up 28.5% of each government-funded medical school cohort. Upon accepting a BMP, you are agreeing to complete a Return of Service (RoS) period of three years after you’ve graduated and entered the workforce.
A BMP is still a Commonwealth Supported Position (meaning that you’ll be eligible for HECS-HELP like any other CSP student).
Accepting a BMP and committing to the Commonwealth of Australia to meet your RoS obligations is legally binding; this is not to be taken lightly, and you should think very carefully about the obligations associated with the BMP and whether you are able/willing to commit to these before applying for and/or accepting an offer for one.
What is the difference between a CSP, BMP and FFP place?
CSP – A CSP is a no-strings-attached position, meaning that there is no obligation to work in an area of workforce shortage upon graduation from a medical degree. The government contributes to the costs associated with your position in medical school.
BMP – A BMP is simply a CSP with an obligation to complete an RoS period following graduation, as highlighted above.
FFP – An FFP is a Full Fee-Paying position, meaning that an FFP student will pay all of the costs (and likely more) associated with their position in medical school (none of this is provided by the government). The funding from international students and domestic FFP students can be thought to “fund” the CSP and BMP positions offered by the medical schools. FFPs are only offered by a select number of universities for medicine; currently these are Bond, Melbourne, UNDS, UNDF and Macquarie.
The COAG agreement stipulates that those in a CSP or a BMP position are guaranteed an internship in Australia upon graduation. This guarantee is not extended to FFPs. CSPs and BMPs can therefore be viewed as cheaper and less risky place types in comparison to FFPs, and are thus largely preferred to FFPs by medical school applicants.
Can my BMP be upgraded to a CSP?
This, while possible, is extremely unlikely. It relies upon a student who was offered a CSP declining said offer, and you being at the top of the list of ranked BMP students for an upgrade. It is very rare that this will occur and is certainly not something to bank your chances on.
Once you’ve committed to a BMP with the Commonwealth of Australia, you cannot go back on this, even if you are offered a CSP at a later date.
When do I need to complete my RoS? Does it all need to be completed at once?
Your RoS needs to be completed within 5 years of attaining fellowship. You must complete a minimum of 50% (i.e. a minimum of 18 months) of your RoS period after attaining fellowship i.e. when you are a qualified specialist. You are allowed to complete the remaining 50% during your pre-vocational and vocational training years (the years prior to you attaining fellowship / being a qualified specialist).
Your RoS period must be completed in minimum time blocks of three months.
If you do not attain fellowship within 10 years of your internship, the remaining balance of the RoS can be completed in a non-specialist position.
Where can I complete my RoS?
You can complete your RoS in any area identified as a Monash Modified Model (MMM) Category 2-7 area, or in a District of Workforce Shortage (DWS) area as identified by the government. These areas are subject to change at each census and thus cannot be readily predicted ahead of time. You can use the DoctorConnect site to check which locations are currently classified as MMM 2-7.
When is the best time to complete my RoS?
While dependent on the specialty you choose to pursue, working outside of major metropolitan centres is likely to have a more profound impact on your career after you’ve attained fellowship, as opposed to when you are a pre-vocational doctor. It is therefore recommended that you complete as much of your RoS as possible prior to attaining fellowship.
ETA: Please read chinaski's post below for an elaboration/clarification of this point. She knows a LOT more than I do on the matter.
What happens if I breach my BMP agreement?
[UPDATED 11/5/19]
You will be required to pay back the equivalent of the government's contribution to your medical education.
What are the key differences between the new scheme and the pre-2020 scheme?
- Bonded requirement of three years of RoS as opposed to 12 months
- Requirement to complete at least 50% of the RoS after attaining fellowship
- Movement to a standardised, legislated regulatory model, as opposed to individual contracts
- Compliance with RoS requirements will be managed through a web-based portal
- RoS periods completed post-fellowship can occur in MMM 2-7 areas rather than the previous (and more restrictive) 4-7 areas
Official links:
Bonded medical graduate programs – 2018 Budget Changes
Department of Health | Bonded Medical Places (BMP) Scheme
Department of Health | Reformed Bonded Programs
I will update this further if and when more information comes to light.
Given the 2018 announcement that the BMP scheme was being updated as of January 1st 2020, I thought it’d be fit to make an updated version of the excellent thread written by LBoG.
Credit goes to LBoG for this thread. I’ve stolen some information from their thread for this one.
Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer. The information on this thread is based off my own understanding of the Bonded Medical Places scheme. The Commonwealth of Australia “strongly recommend” having a lawyer advise you on any BMP commitments you may be considering, and I 100% encourage this. Important questions regarding the BMP scheme should be directed to [email protected].
If you notice any errors or missing information in this post, please inform me so I can update the thread.
Anyhow, without further ado:
What is a Bonded Medical Place?
A BMP is a (funded) place in an Australian medical school – it just comes with a few strings attached. Given the workforce distribution issues within Australia, the government came up with the BMP scheme in an attempt to address these issues – in particular, to increase the number of workers in areas of workforce shortage in Australia (these most commonly being rural and remote communities).
BMPs are additional course places to CSP (and FFP) positions and they make up 28.5% of each government-funded medical school cohort. Upon accepting a BMP, you are agreeing to complete a Return of Service (RoS) period of three years after you’ve graduated and entered the workforce.
A BMP is still a Commonwealth Supported Position (meaning that you’ll be eligible for HECS-HELP like any other CSP student).
Accepting a BMP and committing to the Commonwealth of Australia to meet your RoS obligations is legally binding; this is not to be taken lightly, and you should think very carefully about the obligations associated with the BMP and whether you are able/willing to commit to these before applying for and/or accepting an offer for one.
What is the difference between a CSP, BMP and FFP place?
CSP – A CSP is a no-strings-attached position, meaning that there is no obligation to work in an area of workforce shortage upon graduation from a medical degree. The government contributes to the costs associated with your position in medical school.
BMP – A BMP is simply a CSP with an obligation to complete an RoS period following graduation, as highlighted above.
FFP – An FFP is a Full Fee-Paying position, meaning that an FFP student will pay all of the costs (and likely more) associated with their position in medical school (none of this is provided by the government). The funding from international students and domestic FFP students can be thought to “fund” the CSP and BMP positions offered by the medical schools. FFPs are only offered by a select number of universities for medicine; currently these are Bond, Melbourne, UNDS, UNDF and Macquarie.
The COAG agreement stipulates that those in a CSP or a BMP position are guaranteed an internship in Australia upon graduation. This guarantee is not extended to FFPs. CSPs and BMPs can therefore be viewed as cheaper and less risky place types in comparison to FFPs, and are thus largely preferred to FFPs by medical school applicants.
Can my BMP be upgraded to a CSP?
This, while possible, is extremely unlikely. It relies upon a student who was offered a CSP declining said offer, and you being at the top of the list of ranked BMP students for an upgrade. It is very rare that this will occur and is certainly not something to bank your chances on.
Once you’ve committed to a BMP with the Commonwealth of Australia, you cannot go back on this, even if you are offered a CSP at a later date.
When do I need to complete my RoS? Does it all need to be completed at once?
Your RoS needs to be completed within 5 years of attaining fellowship. You must complete a minimum of 50% (i.e. a minimum of 18 months) of your RoS period after attaining fellowship i.e. when you are a qualified specialist. You are allowed to complete the remaining 50% during your pre-vocational and vocational training years (the years prior to you attaining fellowship / being a qualified specialist).
Your RoS period must be completed in minimum time blocks of three months.
If you do not attain fellowship within 10 years of your internship, the remaining balance of the RoS can be completed in a non-specialist position.
Where can I complete my RoS?
You can complete your RoS in any area identified as a Monash Modified Model (MMM) Category 2-7 area, or in a District of Workforce Shortage (DWS) area as identified by the government. These areas are subject to change at each census and thus cannot be readily predicted ahead of time. You can use the DoctorConnect site to check which locations are currently classified as MMM 2-7.
When is the best time to complete my RoS?
While dependent on the specialty you choose to pursue, working outside of major metropolitan centres is likely to have a more profound impact on your career after you’ve attained fellowship, as opposed to when you are a pre-vocational doctor. It is therefore recommended that you complete as much of your RoS as possible prior to attaining fellowship.
ETA: Please read chinaski's post below for an elaboration/clarification of this point. She knows a LOT more than I do on the matter.
What happens if I breach my BMP agreement?
[UPDATED 11/5/19]
You will be required to pay back the equivalent of the government's contribution to your medical education.
What are the key differences between the new scheme and the pre-2020 scheme?
- Bonded requirement of three years of RoS as opposed to 12 months
- Requirement to complete at least 50% of the RoS after attaining fellowship
- Movement to a standardised, legislated regulatory model, as opposed to individual contracts
- Compliance with RoS requirements will be managed through a web-based portal
- RoS periods completed post-fellowship can occur in MMM 2-7 areas rather than the previous (and more restrictive) 4-7 areas
Official links:
Bonded medical graduate programs – 2018 Budget Changes
Department of Health | Bonded Medical Places (BMP) Scheme
Department of Health | Reformed Bonded Programs
I will update this further if and when more information comes to light.
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