Our 3 most recent Annual Reports are available on our Reports & Newsletters page. If you require an older Annual Report, please contact the Executive Officer on 02 9987 0504 (Option 2).
Our 3 most recent Annual Reports are available on our Reports & Newsletters page. If you require an older Annual Report, please contact the Executive Officer on 02 9987 0504 (Option 2).
A Council of up to 20 registered Medical Practitioners are responsible as the directors of MBA NSW-ACT, ensuring compliance with ACNC, ASIC, State and Federal legislation. Our Auditors are appointed each year at our AGM. The day-to-day operations are run by our Executive Officer (EO) and any questions should in the first instance, be directed to the EO, by calling 02 9987 0504 (Option 2).
The MBA NSW-ACT is an ACNC registered charity and first achieved charitable status in 1986. All donations are 100% tax deductible and tax receipts are issued within a few days of any donation. We lodge annual statements with ACNC.
The MBA NSW-ACT started operating in 1896. Our history has been written by Margery Scott Young, Dr David Pope OAM and Mrs Mary Doughty AM and is available on request.
MBA NSW-ACT has an historical collection of Annual Reports available at the State Library of NSW, which can be accessed with the Council’s approval.
If you prefer to be anonymous, we can still assist with our support services. However, any financial assistance requested will require you to reveal and verify your identity.
We understand you may have a concern about the regulator’s potential involvement, but be assured we are independent and will maintain your confidentiality.
The Social Work Team submits all of the financial requests they receive that are within our guidelines, to the MBA Council (which consists of up to 20 doctors), in a confidential report three days before the next Council meeting. The Council will consider and make the final decision, after debating the needs of all requests, against our limited budget available. All information is discussed confidentially and the decisions made by Council are final. The outcome of the decision will be communicated to the requestor the next working day by the Social Worker involved.
It is best to make a phone call to our Social Work Team on 02 9987 0504 (Option 1) during office hours to have a confidential discussion and get advice on next steps. Our service is person-centred and provides an overview of the support available from MBA NSW-ACT, from our partners and any other government or community organisation that may be able to help. Naturally it is tailored to the unique needs of the situation.
MBA NSW-ACT may be able to assist doctors who evidence financial hardship. Your request will need to be discussed with our Social Work Team to see if you meet our guidelines. If you do then we will encourage you to complete some forms and provide supporting documents (e.g. bank statements, overdue bills etc.) In urgent cases, we can normally turn around a request within 2- 4 days. Non-urgent cases are submitted to our next monthly Council meeting which normally occurs on the third Monday of a month. It is best to call our Social Work Team on 02 9987 0504 (Option 1) or leave a message for us to call you back to confidentially discuss your situation. We will normally return your call within the next 4 working hours.
MBA NSW-ACT offers professional counselling, information, advocacy as well as financial support. We also refer to our partners for professional advice on legal matters, insurance questions, financial issues and Medical Career Planning. If financial hardship is evident, the cost of financial counselling and Medical Career counselling, may be subsidised or paid for in full by MBA NSW-ACT. Our legal partner also offers their first session on a pro-bono basis.
MBA NSW-ACT helps doctor’s and their families who currently live or work in NSW and the ACT. The doctor does not have to be currently working; however, we do require evidence that they are a qualified medical doctor and registered with AHPRA. The ‘’doctor’’ can be practising, non-practising, retired, suspended, de-registered or a final year medical student. We also support the families of doctors who are deceased.
MBA NSW-ACT provides professional counselling, information, advocacy and financial assistance to doctors and their families in NSW and ACT, during times of adversity and hardship. The ‘’doctor’’ can be practising, non-practising, retired, suspended, de-registered or a final year medical student. We also support the families of doctors who are deceased.
Some organisations that may be helpful include:
MBA NSW-ACT does not provide urgent or emergency care. If you need to speak with someone urgently, read our 24/7 support resource information.
Call 000 if your life is in danger or Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24 hours) for urgent support
Additional support may be required from community resources or treatment providers. The MBA NSW-ACT offers information that is not directive and does not constitute treatment. Information is kept confidential
MBA NSW-ACT encourages all medical practitioners to prepare themselves and their families for the unlikely event of a crisis or illness, by obtaining the relevant insurances and by having a legal will.
We strongly endorse the principle that all medical practitioners should be aware of and carry income protection insurance. We also stress that you contact a few insurers and read the entire policy, including the fine print, to ensure you select the best cover for your unique requirements.
Many of the doctors we assist have no insurance
‘Income protection insurance has been on my mind for ages, I have just been too busy…’
Steve* is a 40-year-old surgeon, divorced with 2 children, one of whom lives with him. While driving to work early one morning, sunlight obscured his vision and he hit a parked car, fracturing his wrist and was unable to operate for 8 weeks. The CTP Insurance Company denied support. Steve did not have Income Protection Insurance to fill this gap.
A number of doctors we assist have not read the detail when they have taken out insurance
Sue* is a GP widowed for 5 years, whose son had just moved out of home. Sue had a fall down the back steps, requiring a hip replacement and rehabilitation for a fracture. She had taken out income protection insurance at the birth of her son, however was surprised to learn that the first payment would not be made until after a waiting period of 3 months, so she was without income for that period, and required MBA assistance.
Many doctors feel that they cannot afford Income Protection Insurance
The real question here is can you maintain your family and lifestyle should your income abruptly end. In many instances, income protection insurance is a tax-deductible item and is best taken our whilst young and your health is good. Please speak to your financial adviser.
Some common misconceptions about income protection
‘I have a pre-existing condition – I won’t be able to get cover.’
‘I was diagnosed with anxiety/depression as an intern and so it will be too expensive’
Seek the advice of a reputable insurance broker, who can source a cover that will suit you best. Although an ‘over the counter’ policy probably won’t cover for a pre-existing condition, there are a number of personalised options to provide cover in the case of an accident or crisis and a specialised broker should be able to help you.
‘It won’t happen to me’
Unfortunately, our experience is that accidents, illness, death do happen and not all circumstances can be foreseen or planned for.
* Names changed to protect privacy.
Many people decide to leave a financial gift to MBA NSW-ACT in their will. If you would like more information about this, please contact the Executive Officer on 02 9987 0504 (Option 2) or via the Contact Us Page
MBA NSW-ACT relies on the generosity of donations to provide support and financial assistance to our medical colleagues in need and to run preventative workshops on issues related to doctors’ health. No amount is either too large or too small and all donations over $2 receive a Tax Receipt. Besides donations there are other ways to support including providing medical services for no or low gap, to medical colleagues or their families, that are currently evidencing financial hardship. More information on this and others ways to support are detailed here.
To make a donation, visit our donations page.
Contact the Executive Officer on 02 9987 0504 (Option 2) to discuss any other support you can give.
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