Record Number of Doctors in Training Delivered by National Health Reform
A record 900 GPs have started training this year, as a result of the Australian Government’s national health reforms.
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24 March 2011
A record 900 GPs have started training this year, as a result of the Gillard Government’s national health reforms, providing the workforce to help Australians see and contact a doctor closer to their home.
Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon today announced the new GP training places, a 50 per cent increase from 2007 when Tony Abbott was Health Minister.
“When we came to Government, it was very clear that Mr Abbott had been blind to Australia’s nationwide shortage of GPs,” Minister Roxon said.
“The Gillard Government is doubling the number of GP training places.
“The good news is we are half way there already, with more doctors already being trained right across the country.
“The benefits for regional Australia are especially important, as 45 per cent of these positions are in regional Australia.”
Ms Roxon said the extra places filled this year would bring to 900 the number of doctors starting the Australian General Practice Training program in 2011. By 2014, the program will support a total of 1200 GP places nationwide, up from 600 in 2007.
“By 2020, our workforce training programs, a key part of our health reform, will result in an extra 5,500 GPs and an extra 680 specialist doctors.
“These workforce developments build upon our other efforts to strengthen primary health care in Australia, such as the funding of GP Super Clinics.”
Ms Roxon also announced that 897 junior doctors would this year complete 12-week placements in GP practices through the Government’s Prevocational General Practice Placements Program, supporting our emphasis on primary care.
“The placement for junior doctors in GP clinics is a great way for the next generation of GPs to get a taste of general practice so they can decide if a career as a GP is right for them,” she said.
“This is all part of our determination to bring a greater focus on primary care—the front line—where doctors and nurses can help patients keep well and out of hospital.”
For more information, please contact the Minister's Office on (02) 6277 7220
State/Territory Breakdown
| Year | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
| NSW/ACT | 204 | 200 | 224 | 232 | 310 |
| Vic | 145 | 144 | 161 | 167 | 207 |
| Qld | 126 | 124 | 140 | 143 | 182 |
| WA | 47 | 54 | 60 | 62 | 81 |
| SA | 44 | 44 | 49 | 53 | 68 |
| NT | 19 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 26 |
| Tas | 15 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 26 |
| National | 600 | 600 | 675 | 700 | 900 |
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