NSW GP Training Growth: Challenges and Opportunities

Published By HealthcareLink , 3 days ago

Introduction

New South Wales has seen an increase in GP training numbers, with 441 registrars set to commence specialist GP training in 2025—an 8% rise compared to the previous year. However, this growth lags behind the national average of 19.8%, highlighting the need for greater investment to address the shortfall, particularly in rural areas.

Addressing the Rural GP Shortfall

Despite the overall increase in GP training numbers, the growth in regional, rural, and remote areas of NSW is only 4%, significantly below the national 17% increase. Alarmingly, the New England and North West NSW region will see just two doctors starting GP training in 2025, with Western NSW receiving only 12 new trainees—covering nearly half the state.

RACGP NSW&ACT Chair, Dr Rebekah Hoffman, stressed the need for state investment to incentivise rural GP training, citing Victoria's success in offering financial support. Dr Hoffman emphasised that the current GP training numbers fall short of what is required to meet community healthcare demands. She pointed out that financial incentives, as seen in Victoria, have proven to be effective in drawing more doctors to rural areas. According to her, implementing similar measures in NSW could help address the ongoing challenges in rural healthcare.

Calls for State Action

The RACGP is urging the NSW Government to implement targeted initiatives to boost rural GP training numbers. These initiatives could include:

Financial Incentives: Matching Victoria's $40,000 GP training incentive to attract more doctors to regional areas.
Placement Support: Improving support for practices willing to train GPs in rural locations.
Promotion of Rural Opportunities: Highlighting the professional benefits and opportunities available in rural GP practice.

Dr Hoffman also emphasized the importance of creating attractive career pathways to retain trainees in rural areas and ensure long-term healthcare sustainability.

Federal Support and Medicare Investment

RACGP President, Dr Michael Wright, reiterated the need for federal support, calling for the training of an additional 1,500 specialist GPs over the next five years. He highlighted the impact of inadequate Medicare investment, which has contributed to rising healthcare costs for patients and diminished the appeal of general practice training.

"General practice is the backbone of Australia's healthcare system. With rising chronic illness and an ageing population, we need significant investment to train more GPs and ensure care remains accessible and affordable for all Australians," Dr Wright said.

Key federal recommendations include:

Increased Medicare Funding: To reduce patient out-of-pocket costs and boost bulk billing.
University GP Training Targets: Linking government-subsidised medical places to a goal of 50% of graduates entering GP training.

Moving Forward

To address the challenges faced by NSW in GP workforce growth, the following actions are recommended:

Increased State Funding: Introducing financial incentives to encourage rural placements.
Enhanced Training Support: Providing additional resources for rural GP practices to support trainees.
Strategic Workforce Planning: Developing long-term strategies to ensure sustainable healthcare delivery across the state.

Conclusion

While NSW has made progress in increasing GP training numbers, significant investment and strategic action are needed to address the shortfalls in rural areas. By adopting successful models from other states and prioritising funding, NSW can build a strong and sustainable GP workforce to meet the healthcare needs of its communities.

For those looking to explore GP jobs and resources, various opportunities and support systems are available through professional bodies such as RACGP and state health initiatives. Access to career guidance, training programs, and financial incentives can help doctors build fulfilling careers in general practice.