Planned changes to the Health Insurance Act 1973
04 Sep 2025
Amendments to Part VD of the Health Insurance Act 1973 are proposed to enhance the Bonded Medical Program.
The Australian Government has introduced a bill to amend Part VD of the Health Insurance Act 1973, aiming to improve the Bonded Medical Program.
Key proposed changes include:
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Removing the Medicare ban for former participants of the Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship (MRBS) Scheme if they withdrew or breached a condition.
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Extending the ‘grace period’ for medical students to withdraw from their course without penalty—from the HECS Census date in their second year up to the award of their degree.
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Allowing the responsible minister to make additional rules to better support participants’ personal circumstances and the program’s objectives.
These changes are part of a bill now before Parliament. If approved, the government will move quickly to implement them.
For more details, including the bill and explanatory memorandum, visit the Parliament of Australia website.
Source: Australian Government, Department of Health
