Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

HEALTH INSURANCE ACT 1973 - SECT 124ZF

  (1)   A bonded participant must work as a medical practitioner in an eligible location for a period of 156 weeks (the bonded participant's return of service obligation ).

  (2)   The return of service obligation:

  (a)   must be completed within 18 years of the day on which a bonded participant completes their course of study in medicine at an Australian university; and

  (b)   must be completed in accordance with any requirements set out in the Bonded Medical Program rules; and

  (c)   may be completed by a series of periods; and

  (d)   in relation to a bonded participant covered by subsection   124ZE(2)--is to be reduced in accordance with paragraph   124ZV(2)(a), if applicable; and

  (e)   in relation to a bonded participant covered by subsection   124ZE(3)--is to be reduced in accordance with paragraph   124ZW(2)(a), if applicable.

  (3)   A bonded participant may, before the end of the 18 year period, apply to the Secretary for an extension of time to complete their return of service obligation if the bonded participant, or a member of the bonded participant's family, has a medical condition that prevents the bonded participant from completing their return of service obligation within the 18 year period required by paragraph   (2)(a).

  (4)   If:

  (a)   a bonded participant makes an application before the end of the 18 year period; and

  (b)   the Secretary is satisfied that the bonded participant is unable to complete their return of service obligation within the 18 year period required by paragraph   (2)(a);

the Secretary may, in writing, extend the time within which the return of service obligation may be completed.