Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP said the Albanese Government was continuing to address the local GP crisis, with new incentives introduced this week to encourage more doctors with advanced skills to work in regional, rural and remote Australia.

Mrs Phillips said she’d been listening to local doctors calling for more incentives and support for years, and she was delighted to see that continuing to rollout.

“It is no secret we have a shortage of doctors here on the South Coast. For years, local GP practices have struggled to attract and retain doctors, putting even more pressure on our regional healthcare system,” Fiona Phillips said.

“We listened when doctors said there was more that needed to be done – and we’ve taken decisive and ongoing action to provide the solutions that will make a difference to local doctors,” Fiona said.   

Eligible rural generalists and general practitioners (GPs) with advanced skills can now apply for incentives of up to $21,000 a year through a new payment known as the Workforce Incentives Program (WIP) – Rural Advanced Skills payment.

The new payments will see more doctors with qualifications in areas like mental health, obstetrics, surgery, anaesthetics and First Nations health, working in regions that have too often struggled to attract doctors with these skills.

Between $4,000 and $10,500 per year is available to doctors providing these advanced skills services, with a separate payment of $4,000 to $10,500 per year also available to eligible doctors providing emergency care.

Doctors may be eligible for both payments.

Fiona Phillips said that since the Albanese Government was elected, a number of significant changes have been made to incentivise and support doctors to come to – and importantly stay on – the South Coast.

This includes reductions in HECS/HELP debt for those who work and stay in regional areas for specified time, and investing in universities, including the University of Wollongong, to provide end-to-end regional training for doctors, among a range of other significant healthcare investments.  

The government has also made it easier and quicker for local practices to recruit doctors from overseas by removing unnecessary regulatory barriers and reducing wait limes and complexity for International Medical Graduates seeking an employer sponsored visa, another change welcomed by GPs.

“Healthcare remains a key focus of mine, I’m delighted to see these changes having an impact for local practices, and I’ll continue doing what I can to ensure local people can access the health services we deserve,” Fiona Phillips said.  

The new incentives were an election commitment from the Albanese Government and were funded in the October 2022-23 Budget, to recognise and grow the services provided by country doctors.