Record Number of GPs in Training
This year’s record number of GPs in training will boost the number of doctors in country Australia and develop the next generation of qualified GPs.
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21 March 2013
This year’s record number of GPs in training will boost the number of doctors in country Australia and develop the next generation of qualified GPs, Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek announced today.
Ms Plibersek said 1108 medical graduates had enrolled in the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program this year, filling all available places.
“The Government is on track to double the intake of doctors from the 600 we inherited from Mr Abbott in 2007 to around 1200 in 2014,” said Ms Plibersek.
“Mr Abbott left a legacy of widespread doctor shortages across Australia and each year the Gillard Government has delivered more doctors to increase and improve services to patients.
“Fifty per cent of training is in regional and rural areas, which means that trainees will provide vital medical services in areas where they are most needed.”
“The Australian Government is improving primary care by boosting the number of GP training places across the country and through the introduction of Medicare Locals to better connect services.
“This year there will be a total of 3000 GPs in training, up from 1690 when we came to office in 2007.”
A majority (61 per cent) of the graduates applying for GP training continue to be women.
The Australian Government will spend $544.7 million on the AGPT program over the three years from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2015. This will fund 3000 GP training places in 2013, 3300 in 2014 and 3500 in 2015.
The AGPT program is a postgraduate vocational training program required by medical graduates who want to become general practitioners. It is fully funded by the Australian Government. General Practice Education and Training Ltd (GPET) manages the AGPT program on behalf of the Australian Government.
A state-by-state breakdown of the 2013 GP training places is as follows:
State/territory | 2007 | 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| NSW / ACT | 204 | 387 |
| Victoria | 145 | 247 |
| South Australia | 44 | 83 |
| Queensland | 126 | 228 |
| Western Australia | 47 | 106 |
| Northern Territory | 19 | 26 |
| Tasmania | 15 | 31 |
| National | 600 | 1108 |
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