The locum tenens period for health professionals is now 12 weeks. The Department of Health has temporarily extended the period to support the COVID-19 response.

This means you can provide Medicare services from a new location, using your existing provider number if both the following apply:

• you’re operating from the new location for less than 12 weeks
• you’ll return to your usual location after this time.

This arrangement isn’t available for restricted health professionals. This includes doctors who need a section 19AB exemption, a 3GA placement or are participants of the OMPs program. Restricted health professionals will still need to apply for an additional provider number to get Medicare benefits from a new location.

For more informaiton visit https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/organisations/health-professionals/subjects/coronavirus-information-health-professionals