- Medical Students
- Doctor in Specialist Training
- Doctor in Training (JMO)
- Intern and Final Year Student
Supporting you in the moments that matter so you can keep on excelling as your career progresses.
This is your MDA National – your trusted partner for support in the moments that matter
As a junior doctor, you are the future of Australia’s healthcare system – and MDA National will be by your side providing the support and advice you need, when you need it.
Over these next few years, your hands will be full with training, long hours and the many responsibilities that come with being a doctor. You want to be certain that you have expert medico-legal protection, because the last thing you need to worry about is a complaint or claim that could have lasting consequences in the future.
For over 95 years, MDA National has protected thousands of medical professionals through every stage of their career. Today, we’re here to provide you with that same peace of mind so you can keep on excelling as your career progresses.
Why do you need your own cover?
As a doctor working in a public hospital, you will usually have access to indemnity cover through your employer or the state government, however this indemnity may not provide the broad cover you need.
Without your own indemnity cover, you could be liable to personally fund some medico-legal matters. It is important you have access to independent legal advice or a second opinion to protect your best interests.
Some of the issues we commonly assist with include:
- medical college training disputes
- medico-legal advice, including ethical dilemmas, police statements, confidentiality and privacy queries
- Ahpra health complaints or investigations
- employment disputes
- bullying and harassment
- coronial inquests
Reasons why doctors in training called us for advice
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32%Advice/Ethical Dilemma |
12%Clinical Incident |
10%Employment Issues |
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9%Medico-legal Report |
7%Appearance in Court/Subpoena |
5%Confidentiality/Privacy |
How to choose the right Medical Defence Organisation (MDO)
We have prepared a guide on choosing the right medical defence organisation so you can focus on providing outstanding care at each stage of your career.
- Why do doctors need medical indemnity insurance?
- Why do you need your own cover?
- How to choose the best medical defence organisation for you
Why doctors in training choose MDA National?
At MDA National, we understand the challenges you may face in medicine today and in your career ahead. We proactively support more than 60% of the country’s doctors in training* with competitive professional indemnity premiums, education, career development, our Ambassador Program, and regular networking opportunities.
With MDA National you are a click or phone call away from industry-leading doctors, lawyers and medical defence experts – always responsive, always confidential, always on your side. Some of our member benefits include:
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Comprehensive Professional Indemnity |
Expert medico-legal advice |
CPD learning tailored to your needs |
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Comprehensive cover for any medical board proceedings, coronial investigations and hospital enquiries (which aren’t covered by the state or your employer). Discounted ongoing cover until the end of your fellowship
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On call 24/7 in emergencies, our medico-legal experts will help you through any emergency or issue, providing unbiased advice and support - including matching you with the best legal team for your situation | Gain invaluable insight on many important topics, such as applying for junior doctor positions, physical contact, patient communication and informed consent |
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Professional Development |
Career Development |
Health and Wellbeing |
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Upskill you in the key competencies of Leadership, Clinical Governance, and the 3 C’s of professional development: Communication, Culture & Collaboration
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To support you as you plan your career and prepare for medical officer interviews |
Provide you with a complimentary series of health and wellbeing webinars and facilitated group sessions, focusing on mental health and wellbeing |
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Special offers and discounts |
Medico-legal blog insights and news |
Community partnerships |
| Enjoy exclusive Member deals on textbooks, food services and more. You can find out about all the latest offers at mdanational.com.au/Member-offers | Read online and receive email notification of the latest articles on topical medico-legal issues, such as changes to Medicare items, so you are well-informed for study and at work throughout the year | It’s Members like you that allow us to continue to support equitable access to healthcare for vulnerable communities through our community partnerships |
Not a Member?
Apply now for MDA National professional indemnity insurance, providing you with peace of mind and extensive cover.
What am I covered for?
Your extensive MDA National Professional Indemnity covers you for civil claims, employment disputes, representation at a coronial inquiry and a wide range of medico-legal matters.
The following table is a brief summary of covers and limits. The summary wording should not be relied on as a full description of cover. Please refer to the Policy Wording† for full details of terms and conditions:
We will...
| Aggregate Limit of Cover for all Claims* | |
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$20 million |
| We will... | Aggregate Sub-limits* |
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$2 million |
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$100,000 but for claims by you for unpaid remuneration we will not pay more than the amount reasonably sought by you |
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$100,000 (with Excess of $20,000) |
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$100,000 |
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$250,000 |
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$100,000 for Medical Practitioner |
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$20,000 (with a maximum of $2,000 per day for up to 10 days) |
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$100,000 |
*Provided that the Maximum Limit of Indemnity is not exceeded.
†A copy of the Policy Wording is available at mdanational.com.au/Downloads.
For more information please read our Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy Combined Financial Services Guide (FSG), Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Policy Wording and Supplementary FSG and PDS including Amendments to the Policy Wording from our Download Center.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) |
How much does membership and insurance normally cost with MDA National?
MDA National is committed to providing junior doctors with the support they need, starting with low membership and insurance premiums made possible by the broader MDA National membership. Our policy runs on a financial year basis from 1 July to 30 June. Please refer to the table below for our premium relating to your career stage:
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Professional Indemnity Premiums tailored to your career stage |
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| Post Graduate Years 2 and 3 | $50 |
| Post Graduate Year 4/5 (including those on an accredited training program) | $100 |
| Post Graduate Year 6+ and on an accredited training program or employed in an unaccredited registrar position | $150 |
| Starting in Private Practice | Reduced Premiums for your first four years in private practice - starting with a premium reduction of 80% in your first year. |
If you are a member of the AMA in Queensland or Western Australia you may be eligible for further reductions'. Find out more
For more information on our junior doctor categories and eligibility criteria, please refer to our Risk Category Guide available from our Download Centre.
These rates are effective 1 July 2019 includes Membership Subscription, Insurance Premiums, ROCS Support Payment and relevant taxes.
Am I covered for private locum work/surgical assisting?
Once you have a general AHPRA registration after completion of your internship, MDA National provides automatic cover for unlimited private locum work and surgical assisting, as long as you are undertaking the majority of your work in an employer indemnified position, or you are enrolled in and the majority of your practice is within your fellowship training program.
Am I covered if I join a training program?
If you join an accredited training program, you will remain eligible for our Post Graduate categories and can undertake unlimited practice within your training program. Let us know which training program you are on by updating your policy information via Member Online Services, the MDA National app, or calling Member Services on 1800 011 255 (Monday to Friday 8:30am to 8:00pm AEST). MDA National’s policy coverage also includes medico-legal advice and assistance for medical college training disputes.
For more information on our junior doctor categories and eligibility criteria, please refer to our Risk Category Guide available from our Download Centre.
I’ve been advised I don’t have cover for public patients from my employer or hospital
Occasionally, you may find that you are not able to access State or employer indemnity for the treatment of public patients in public hospitals. Under such circumstances you may apply for an extension of cover under your Policy by completing the Treatment of Public Patients Form, available from our Download Centre or by contacting Member Services to discuss your individual circumstances.
Getting Started in Private Practice Discounts
Our discounts commence at 80% in your first year. If you commence private practice as a specialist between January and 30 June, you’ll receive the 80% discount for that period, and again for the following full financial year. Subsequent discounts are 60% in your second full year, 40% in your third and finally 20% in your fourth year, before reaching a mature premium.
We understand that starting or joining a private practice can have various startup challenges and costs. To alleviate some of the financial burden associated with commencing in private practice MDA National have premium reductions in the first four years you undertake private practice*. Contact our Member Services team as soon as you obtain your Fellowship or decide to start practising in a private practice category to see if you are eligible. The premium in the first year of your private practice is an 80% reduction on the mature premium payable. The subsequent years involve incremental increases until the mature rate is reached, helping members transition into full premium payments gradually.
*Subject to Underwriting approval and certain eligibility criteria.
Overseas Practice
If you intend on undertaking a fellowship, additional training, or volunteer practise overseas, MDA National can provide an extension of cover in certain situations for additional peace of mind and protection overseas.
For more information refer to page 9 of our Risk Category Guide in our download centre for our automatic inclusions and extensions to your cover.
Support in Practice
As you progress through your specialist training working towards fellowship, you may be considering your options upon completion of your specialist training, such commencing in private specialist practice or opening your own consulting rooms or medical practice.
As a Member or Practice Indemnity Policy holder, our Support in Practice team is here to guide you through this process, so you can keep on focusing on providing outstanding patient care.
Our Support in Practice service is designed to support and assist practices in identifying and assessing risks within their practice environment and implementing simple strategies to mitigate those risks.
Hear what our Members have to say about the support and unwavering care they have received from MDA National
Resources
MDA National provides timely education to help our Members minimise their medico-legal risk and continually improve their communication and non-clinical skills.
We’ve put together a handful of our resources particularly relevant to you below. You will also find a series of Podcasts on Apple Music and Spotify.
Articles and case studies
- Physical examinations how to avoid misunderstandings
- Is there a doctor in the house
- Discharge against medical advice
- A case of suspension by social media
- Fines for advertising cannabis and other prescription medicines
- Death Certificates and when to say no
- When duty calls: responding in an emergency
Videos / webinar recordings
- Systematic efforts to reduce harms due to prescribed opioids
- Diplomacy in hierarchy
- Patient Autonomy in Australian medical care
- Avoiding medical marketing mistakes
- Intimate examinations: respect and responsibility
- Applying for junior doctor positions
- Informed consent challenges
- Medico-legal CPD quizzes
- Noteworthy: the how, what, where and why of medical documentation
Other resources
- Head over to the MDA National library to see our full suite of articles, blog posts, webinars and podcasts.
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Resources |
MDA National provides timely education to help our Members minimise their medico-legal risk and continually improve their communication and non-clinical skills.
We’ve put together a handful of our resources particularly relevant to you below. You will also find a series of Podcasts on Apple Music and Spotify.
Articles and case studies
- Physical examinations how to avoid misunderstandings
- Is there a doctor in the house
- Discharge against medical advice
- A case of suspension by social media
- Fines for advertising cannabis and other prescription medicines
- Death Certificates and when to say no
- When duty calls: responding in an emergency
Videos / webinar recordings
- Systematic efforts to reduce harms due to prescribed opioids
- Diplomacy in hierarchy
- Patient Autonomy in Australian medical care
- Avoiding medical marketing mistakes
- Intimate examinations: respect and responsibility
- Applying for junior doctor positions
- Informed consent challenges
- Medico-legal CPD quizzes
- Noteworthy: the how, what, where and why of medical documentation
Other resources
- Head over to the MDA National library to see our full suite of articles, blog posts, webinars and podcasts.
Have you downloaded MDA National mobile app?
Downloading the app is easy. Go to the App Store or Google Play and search for MDA National. Log into the app using your email address or Member Number and the password you use to access your MDA National Online Services account. FAQs for your reference
Stay connected with medico-legal updates sent to your inbox
Subscribe to our medico-legal blog at the bottom of this page so you can stay up to date with the latest medico-legal updates and best practice advice, relevant to the medical profession.
