96 Doctors Start Psychiatry Training Through Record Australian Government Investment
Ministers Roxon and Butler met with the presidents of Australia’s medical colleges to discuss the Government’s investments in training more specialists and, in particular, the 96 new psychiatrist specialist positions that will see a substantial boost to our mental health workforce.
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The Hon Nicola Roxon MP
Minister for Health and Ageing
The Hon Mark Butler MP
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing
28 April 2011
Ministers Roxon and Butler today met with the presidents of Australia’s medical colleges to discuss the Government’s investments in training more specialists and, in particular, the 96 new psychiatrist specialist positions that will see a substantial boost to our mental health workforce.
Minister Roxon explained the $48.4 million investment over three years is a part of the Government’s commitment to securing a strong mental health workforce for the future.
“The Prime Minister has previously indicated that mental health is a key priority for this term of Government,” Minister Roxon said.
“The Government’s $48 million investment in training more psychiatrists will have a direct benefit for mental health patients and their families.
“This investment means that 96 doctors are in training this year to be specialist psychiatrists – a massive 39% increase from 2010.”
Minister Butler spoke about the role of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists in training the next generation of psychiatrists.
“The College will build networks particularly in non traditional settings like community health centres and rural practices to increase the capacity to train tomorrow’s doctors, which is critical for providing mental health services to patients in hard to reach areas,” Minister Butler said.
“The College will also provide additional training to assist overseas trained doctors acquire the qualifications to work as psychiatrists in Australia.”
Forty per cent of the 2011 places will be in private and not-for-profit settings – getting doctors to see patients in all settings particularly in the wider community (outside of hospitals). In addition, 34 per cent of the 2011 places will be in regional and rural Australia, helping to improve mental health care in rural Australia.
State-by-state breakdown of 2011 psychiatrist specialist position
| State | Positions |
| NSW | 14 |
| Vic | 42 |
| Qld | 22 |
| SA | 4 |
| Tas | 1 |
| WA | 9 |
| NT | 2 |
| ACT | 2 |
| TOTAL | 96 |
For all media inquiries, please contact the Minister's Office on 02 6277 7220
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