[2020 entry and beyond] Guide to Bonded Medical Places

[Advice Needed]

Wouldn't be more convenient for you and the unis to contact them ASAP, rather than waiting until Stage 2 where you may not be able to change to bonded?

Yes, good point. I just found the information I was looking for on their website, 'You will be able to check if you have lodged an Expression of Interest for a Bonded Medical Place by going to the Review submitted application page. If you wish to update your application to include an Expression of Interest for a Bonded Medical Place please email your request, remembering to include your UCAT number and date of birth.'
Apologies, I found what I was looking for. Thank you.

 

[Misa]

Honestly this makes accepting a bonded medical place really difficult. Considering most courses are 6/7 years, 9/10 years before getting a life started is hard I reckon

 

[chinaski]

Indeed, especially for a school leaver.

 

[Advice Needed]

If you are unsure just opt in for now. If when you receive a bonded offer and at that stage don't want it you can decline (and make someone really happy to inherit it).

Or you can go through with the degree then not serve the Return of service. Penalty for that is you pay back the gov subsidy for your med course. About $25k times 5 years of study = $125K, only a third compared to Bond and you will have worked a few years to save up to pay.

Is there a thread in the forum about bonded and unbonded offers? I would like to investigate further by reading a member's experience especially on obligations and 'out-of-pocket' cost/liability/penalty.

 

[ucatboy]

Is there a thread in the forum about bonded and unbonded offers? I would like to investigate further by reading a member's experience especially on obligations and 'out-of-pocket' cost/liability/penalty.

I mean, it's pretty clear cut - you either fulfill your ROS or you cough up the cash. As for where you'd place BMPs on your preferences (some unis such as Adelaide and Monash have separate course codes for CSPs and BMPs), that's entirely at your discretion.

 

[A1]

Is there a thread in the forum about bonded and unbonded offers? I would like to investigate further by reading a member's experience especially on obligations and 'out-of-pocket' cost/liability/penalty.

I don't know if there is a thread, here's a link > https://www1.health.gov.au/internet...ical-places-scheme-frequently-asked-questions

"If you choose not to complete all of the obligations under your BMP Deed of Agreement, you will breach the Agreement. You will be required to repay a portion of the Commonwealth’s contribution amount for the years that you were at university.

Information about repayments is available by contacting the BMP Scheme.
Your estimated repayment value may be reduced if you have undertaken approved Eligible Training.
Your estimated repayment value may be reduced if you have undertaken part of your Return of Service Period.

To request an estimated repayment value, please send an email to the BMP Team.

If you choose to formally withdraw from the BMP Scheme, you will have 90 days from the date of the debtors tax invoice to make your repayment. You can make your repayments in instalments during the 90 day period."

 

[ucatboy]

I don't know if there is a thread, here's a link > https://www1.health.gov.au/internet...ical-places-scheme-frequently-asked-questions

"If you choose not to complete all of the obligations under your BMP Deed of Agreement, you will breach the Agreement. You will be required to repay a portion of the Commonwealth’s contribution amount for the years that you were at university.

Information about repayments is available by contacting the BMP Scheme.
Your estimated repayment value may be reduced if you have undertaken approved Eligible Training.
Your estimated repayment value may be reduced if you have undertaken part of your Return of Service Period.

To request an estimated repayment value, please send an email to the BMP Team.

If you choose to formally withdraw from the BMP Scheme, you will have 90 days from the date of the debtors tax invoice to make your repayment. You can make your repayments in instalments during the 90 day period."

Wait that's hella rough - you gotta cough up 125k in 90 days? Damn..

 

[A1]

Wait that's hella rough - you gotta cough up 125k in 90 days? Damn..

I understand they don't demand you to serve the RoS immediately after graduation. You can withdraw from the BMP scheme/contract after working 4-5 years as Intern/RMO, should be able to save up the amount.

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Wait that's hella rough - you gotta cough up 125k in 90 days? Damn..

I think the moral of that is, don't formally withdraw until you've saved up the cash (ie. you don't have to withdraw upon graduation).

 

[Crow]

Wait that's hella rough - you gotta cough up 125k in 90 days? Damn..

It should be a rough punishment. The scheme isn't there for people to intentionally opt in knowing that they don't intend to complete their ROS. In fact, those that do this are stealing another applicant's position away (someone actually willing to fulfill the ROS) and in doing so robbing the government in the process.

Of course I can appreciate that some people's life circumstances may change after accepting a BMP, but that situation wouldn't be one of them.

 

[DrDrLMG!]

It should be a rough punishment. The scheme isn't there for people to intentionally opt in knowing that they don't intend to complete their ROS. In fact, those that do this are stealing another applicant's position away (someone actually willing to fulfill the ROS) and in doing so robbing the government in the process.

Of course I can appreciate that some people's life circumstances may change after accepting a BMP, but that situation wouldn't be one of them.

On that note, do you know if you have to make a formal request or if you don't have to provide reasoning and can just breach the contract for any old reason, no questions asked?

 

[Crow]

On that note, do you know if you have to make a formal request or if you don't have to provide reasoning and can just breach the contract for any old reason, no questions asked?

I don't think a reason needs to be provided, but I'm not 100% sure. What would they do if your reason wasn't acceptable?

 

[DrDrLMG!]

What would they do if your reason wasn't acceptable?

It's a contract so they could enforce it if they wanted to. Or sue you.

That said, my understanding is you don't have to provide a reason, but I'm not sure about that.

 

[chinaski]

It should be a rough punishment. The scheme isn't there for people to intentionally opt in knowing that they don't intend to complete their ROS. In fact, those that do this are stealing another applicant's position away (someone actually willing to fulfill the ROS) and in doing so robbing the government in the process.

Of course I can appreciate that some people's life circumstances may change after accepting a BMP, but that situation wouldn't be one of them.

This. People shouldn't be looking at entering into a contract they have no intention of fulfilling - there needs to be an adequate level of discouragement and penalties for doing so.

 

[A1]

It's a contract so they could enforce it if they wanted to. Or sue you.

The link I quoted above spells out the "punishment". There's likely a clause in the BMP contract saying just that so the gov can't sue for any more penalty.

If they wish to the gov can write in the contract repayment of subsidy plus 10 year moratorium on Medicare benefits, like for IMGs. But they didn't.

 

[DrDrLMG!]

The link I quoted above spells out the "punishment". There's likely a clause in the BMP contract saying just that so the gov can't sue for any more penalty.

If they wish to the gov can write in the contract repayment of subsidy plus 10 year moratorium on Medicare benefits, like for IMGs. But they didn't.

Oh yeah, I realise that. I was just answering Crow's question of what could they do if... it was a hypothetical and I was just saying that, in the hypothetical, given it's a contract they could enforce it or sue... Crow and I both realise that's not what actually happens with BMPs.

 

[ponyswordz]

Is it possible to do internship and 2 years of residency during the 3 year contract of BMP in a 'health-needed' hospital setting and then moving back to metropolitan to continue the 3rd year of residency? Or is it back to scratch at internship once those 3 years are over? Also, is fellowship the stage right after PG2?

 

[chinaski]

No, fellowship is after you become a fellow of a college (ie after you finish all of your post-graduate training and become a specialist). And no, you don't have to reset your career progression if you move between employers.

 

[Advice Needed]

I mean, it's pretty clear cut - you either fulfill your ROS or you cough up the cash. As for where you'd place BMPs on your preferences (some unis such as Adelaide and Monash have separate course codes for CSPs and BMPs), that's entirely at your discretion.

Apologies for my ignorance. I think you summed it quite well. I wasn't aware that CSPs and BMPs could/might be treated differently. Is this true?

 

[Crow]

Is it possible to do internship and 2 years of residency during the 3 year contract of BMP in a 'health-needed' hospital setting and then moving back to metropolitan to continue the 3rd year of residency? Or is it back to scratch at internship once those 3 years are over? Also, is fellowship the stage right after PG2?

No, you don’t go back to being an intern, but the ROS requirements stipulate that you need to do a minimum of 18 months post-fellowship, meaning your plan wouldn’t allow you to fulfill the ROS.