As a longstanding part of the profession, we remain true to our 'doctors for doctors' ethos – owned and governed by doctors, caring for the wellbeing and interests of doctors.

For close to 100 years, surgeons have trusted MDA National to support them through issues they face in their career. We remain committed to providing the expert advice and personalised service you need, when you need it, so you can keep on practising with confidence and providing outstanding patient care.


  • Medico-legal helpline available 24/7 for emergencies. Speak to a person, not a machine
  • In-house medico-legal and claims and advisory experts
  • One case manager until your matter is resolved
  • Expert medico-legal claims and advisory team with a combined experience of 200+ years
  • Support in practice and tailored risk management services

To find out more about how we can support you, please visit Why MDA National.

  • 24-hour medico-legal advice– expertise and support when you need it most and no matter how small your query, with one case manager until your matter is resolved
  • MDA National App– an easier way to keep your membership and policy up-to-date, download your certificate of currency, access our latest articles, case studies, podcasts, webinars and connect directly with our medico-legal experts via LiveChat
  • Member Online Services– access your insurance documents at your convenience, update your details and explore Member-only resources and online education. 
  • Accredited education– gain CPD (continuing professional development) points from our extensive suite of education, which we believe is unrivalled in Australian medical indemnity today.
  • Support in Practice– personalised services to assist you in managing your professional risk.
  • Experienced medico-legal advisers and case managers – with broad medico-legal experience, and healthcare and legal qualifications.
  • Member discounts on medical education texts through Elsevier Health, CRC Press and Oxford University Press
  • Industry events– in addition to hosting our own events such as medico-legal round tables and CPD accredited education, we participate in supporting the profession across the country via sponsorship, and by providing education to the broader medical profession.
  • Doctors for Doctors Program– confidential peer support during medico-legal matters, exempt from mandatory reporting including complimentary and confidential professional support from an independent psychiatrist, should you need it during a medico-legal matter
  • Access case studies and medico-legal blog posts to keep you informed with relevant, pertinent and practical medico-legal advice in our MDA National Library or subscribe to receive them directly in your inbox
  • Corporate Social Responsibility– giving back to our community, including a Charity of Choice association with Beyondblue to help support doctors’ mental health. 
  • Local presence, national support– our Member Services team are available from 8:30am to 8pm AEST Monday to Friday, or contact one of your local Business Development Specialists

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:


Aggregate Limit of Cover for all Claims* 
  • Defend you in civil legal proceedings brought by patients
  • Defend you in civil proceedings alleging breach of privacy
  • Defend you in civil proceedings arising from telehealth
  • Defend you in civil proceedings when you have been acting as a good Samaritan
  • Defend you in some civil proceedings whilst practicing overseas for limited time
  • Defend you in civil proceedings arising from clinical trials
  • Defend you against allegations of defamation
  • Defend your practice in civil proceedings
  • Pay the legal costs of defending you in professional negligence and some civil liability matters
  • Pay civil damages you are ordered to pay in professional negligence and civil liability matters
  • Pay costs you are ordered to pay
 









$20 million
 We will...
Aggregate Sub-limits*
  • Represent you and pay legal costs when you are investigated by Ahpra or a professional services review committee
  • Represent you and pay legal costs in inquiries relating to provision of healthcare services
  • Represent you and pay legal costs when self-referring regarding a health impairment
  • Pay costs you are ordered to pay with respect to covers for investigations and inquiries
  • Represent you and pay legal costs in defending allegations of some sexual misconduct and criminal matters
 





$2 million


  • Represent you and pay legal costs in certain employment, credentialing and training disputes
$100,000 but for claims by you for unpaid remuneration we will not pay more than the amount reasonably sought by you
  • Represent you and pay legal costs when you are defamed
$100,000 (with Excess of $20,000)
  • Represent you and pay legal costs in obtaining AVOs on your behalf
$100,000
  • Defend you against imposed fines and penalties for breach of Privacy Act
  • Pay fines and penalties imposed on you for breach of Privacy Act
  • Pay notification costs for breach of Privacy Act
 


$250,000
  • Compensate you when you contract certain communicable diseases
$100,000 for Medical Practitioner

  • Pay you for loss of income in some circumstances
$20,000 (with a maximum of $2,000 per day for up to 10 days)
  • Cover you for loss of documents
$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.

The cost of your medical indemnity insurance with MDA National will be determined depending on the type of speciality practice or procedures you undertake, the amount of gross annual billings and state in which you primarily practice.

Please refer to our Risk Category Guide to see which category suits your practise best, contact our Member Services team on 1800 011 255 (8:30am to 8:00pm Monday to Friday AEST) or your local Business Development Specialist can assist you with any questions you may have or guide you through the quote or application process.

MDA National provides timely education to help our Members minimise their medico-legal risk and continually improve their communication and non-clinical skills. Our resources include CPD accredited e-learning and face-to-face education. To find out more about the range of topics covered, or to book an education session for your practice, association or college meeting, visit our Education Activities page.

Visit the MDA National library to see our full suite of articles, blog posts, webinars and podcasts. You will also find a series of Podcasts on Apple Music and Spotify.  Remember to subscribe to our medico-legal blog at the bottom of this page so you can stay up to date with short sharp blog posts relevant to the medical profession. 
  • Doctor for Doctors program, where you can talk freely with a peer who understands your situation and the impact of a medico-legal matter
  • Doctor-led and doctor-informed service delivery
  • A focus on achieving the best professional and personal outcome for the doctor
  • Local presence and national support - benefit from the strength, backing, and resources of a national brand as well as the local knowledge and presence of state offices.

This is your MDA National – your trusted partner for support in the moments that matter

 


Industry-leading support in the moments that matter

Our highly qualified and experienced in-house legal team works in close partnership with you to resolve your particular matter as expediently as possible.

Where appropriate, our claims team will partner with external senior lawyers or engage directly with senior counsel, so you will have the most appropriate expertise matched to your specific needs, to ensure the best possible outcome.

Read a case study on how we helped a Member with an unusual request from the police to breach patient confidentiality and privacy. 

To read more medico-legal articles and case studies, download MDA National’s Member publication, Defence Update, here.

 

Reasons why Members called us for advice

 

34%

Advice/Ethical Dilemma

 medical records

10%

Medical Records

 doctor patient relationship

8%

Ending Doctor-Patient Relationship

 practice management

7%

Practice Management

 medico-legal report

7%

Medico-legal Report

 Employment issues

6%

Employment Issues

 


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.