Partnering with you to build your future in Australian healthcare

MDA National is a Medical Defence Organisation (MDO) that works to protect Doctors by providing insurance and legal advice.

We are a mutual organisation — we are owned by our 54,000 Members and governed by Doctors and experts who guide our decisions.

With over 100 years' experience, we're proud to support and protect our members when it really matters, so you can deliver the best healthcare to your patients.

We're Australia-wide with 3 main offices in Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne, and teams across the country.

Support for our doctors early in their Australian practice

Starting medical practice in Australia can mean navigating a new healthcare system with differing expectations. MDA National provides support to doctors at this early stage with guidance, protection and access to medico-legal expertise.

Medical Indemnity

Comprehensive cover tailored to your practice

See what's covered

Expert Medico-Legal Advice

Personal and practical medico-legal advice whenever you need it, available 24/7 in an emergency

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Support to Thrive

Resources that support you to get set up and thrive in Australia

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What is Professional Indemnity Insurance?

To practise medicine in Australia, all doctors need Professional Indemnity Insurance (often referred to as “Medical Indemnity”), which protects you from legal and financial repercussions if something goes wrong.

If you are employed by a public hospital, they will usually provide you with Employer Indemnity. Many Employer Indemnified Doctors in Australia also hold more comprehensive indemnity cover with a Medical Defence Organisation (MDO), like MDA National, to protect them when their employer may not.

What Public Hospital employer indemnity usually covers:

• Civil liability for clinical care within your public hospital role.

Why you might need MDA:

• Personal advice and support when you are unsure or something goes wrong
• Assistance for loss of documents, loss of income, or Good Samaritan acts
• Cover for Employment-related disputes
• Legal costs for regulatory (Ahpra) investigations
• Support for Coronial inquests
• Representation in Criminal investigations

Common issues Doctors ask us about

Communication misunderstandings

Communication styles can often be different. We can help you to communicate effectively with patients so you can grow great patient relationships.

Documentation issues

Conventions for clinical notes and incident reporting can vary. We can advise you at any stage if you're unsure what you need to do.

Informed consent

Informed consent is important. We can guide you through expectations, best practice and documentation.

The unexpected

We're here to support. Anytime. We help you understand your obligations, next steps, and guide you through the issue.

Investigations and complaints

If you're contacted, we are your first call. We can advise on responses, resolutions and getting to best outcome.

Ethical dilemmas

We can support you through confronting or difficult decisions and are available 24/7 in an emergency.

Medico-legal resources

 

An IMG's road to GP training and fellowship

Dr Vasuki Annamalai, a GP registrar, shares her personal insights to help IMGs heading towards general practice fellowship in Australia.

Read article

Coronial matters involving hospital doctors

Hospital doctors often find it difficult to know who will be looking after them in the event of a notifiable patient death. Should they contact MDA National or accept representation from the hospital?

Read article

Managing patient complaints

Having a clear process can make it easier to deal with complaints, reduce the chance of the situation escalating, and provide an opportunity to improve systems and processes.

Read article

Education

eLearning (Members Only)

Noteworthy: the how, what, where and why of medical documentation

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eLearning (Members Only)

Informed consent challenges

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Webinar recording (All Access)

Diplomacy in a hierarchy

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Eligibility criteria for the first three years of Australian registration Offer

1. You have obtained your initial medical degree overseas more than five years ago; and
2. You have registered with AHPRA as a medical practitioner for the first time within the last three years; and
3. You are working in a completely employer-indemnified capacity and are neither performing healthcare in a private setting nor generating billings; and
4. You have not undertaken any private practice in Australia; and
5. You do not fall within the Doctor in Specialist Training category criteria outlined in the Risk Category Guide; and
6. You meet all the following Case and Insurance History Criteria:
   1. You have never, in any country, been the subject of, or involved in, a claim, complaint, investigation inquiry or proceeding, nor has there been an incident (including an act or error) which may lead to a claim or complaint in connection with your training or from healthcare provided by you; and
   2. You have never, in any country, been refused registration, suspended or deregistered in any country, and there has never been any conditions or limitations on your registration; and
   3. You have never made a self-notification or been the subject of a voluntary notification to Ahpra in Australia, or an equivalent regulator in any other country; and
   4. You have never, in any country, been counselled, disciplined or had authorisations altered by an employer, medical college, statutory or medical board; and
   5. You have never, in any country, been charged with, convicted or found guilty of a criminal offence.