This page contains links to news related to the work of the Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner. You can also view all our news items related to:
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Annual report – Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner 2024-25
This annual report covers the commissioner’s activities from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025. It includes key highlights and priorities of the office.
Appointment of National Rural Health Deputy Commissioners
The Australian Government has announced the appointment of two new Deputy Commissioners to champion rural perspectives in nursing, allied health and First Nations healthcare.
Rural Generalist Medicine Recognised: A Health Win for Rural and Remote
Rural Generalist Medicine has been formally recognised as a specialised field in General Practice, reflecting over a decade of work by rural health leaders. Rural Generalists play a critical role in delivering high-quality, comprehensive healthcare in rural and remote communities across the nation.
Review of National Rural Health Commissioner Functions
An independent review will be conducted on the functions of the National Rural Health Commissioner.
Independent Review of the HELP Debt Reduction Program
The independent review of the HELP debt reduction program is underway to review the operation of the program in supporting doctors and nurse practitioners who live and work in rural, remote or very remote areas, and teachers who work in very remote areas.
Release of the 2nd Edition National Consensus Framework for Rural Maternity Services
The National Rural Health Commissioner congratulates the signatories on the recent release of the 2nd Edition National Consensus Framework for Rural Maternity Services.
A clearer rural pathway for non-GP specialists
The National Rural Health Commissioner with the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges are supporting positive changes to entry to non-GP specialty training. These changes will create a clearer pathway for doctors intending to practise in rural areas.
Statement of Intent from the National Rural Health Commissioner released
The National Rural Health Commissioner’s Statement of Intent is now available.
Annual report – Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner 2023-24
This annual report covers the commissioner’s activities from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. It includes key highlights and priorities of the office.
Statement of Expectations for the National Rural Health Commissioner released
The Australian Government’s Statement of Expectations for the National Rural Health Commissioner is now available.
Seeking to improve and increase rural surgical training
The Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner (ONRHC) and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) held a National Rural Surgeons’ Training and Retention Workshop in February 2024. The summary and outcomes paper from the workshop is now available.
Appointment of National Rural Health Commissioner
Professor Jenny May AM appointed Australia’s National Rural Health Commissioner.
Annual report – Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner 2022–23
This annual report covers the commissioner’s activities from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023. It includes key highlights, priority areas and their focus for the future.
Special supplement shines a light on role of education in growing Australia’s rural health workforce
The Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner has partnered with the Medical Journal of Australia to produce a special supplement that shines a light on the important role education plays in developing and growing Australia’s regional, rural, and remote health workforce.
Release of the Ngayubah Gadan Consensus Statement
The Ngayubah Gadan Consensus Statement is a unified call from rural and remote health stakeholders to support, fund and enable Rural and Remote Multidisciplinary Health Teams to deliver high quality care to the communities they serve.
Release of the National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework 2023–2027
The Australian Government has announced the National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework. The framework supports registered nurses to work to their full ability in rural and remote healthcare settings.
National Sorry Day – 26 May 2022
The Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner would like to pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.
Feedback for PRIMM round 2 grant applicants now available
We have written feedback for those who applied for our second round of grants under the Primary care Rural Innovative Multidisciplinary Models (PRIMM) grant opportunity. This will assist them in submitting an application in the next round.
Workshop on rural allied health service and learning consortia
On 1 June 2021, more than 90 stakeholders from all over Australia gathered in Queenstown, Tasmania to discuss service and learning consortia for allied health.
Previous news
30 April 2021 – Second Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner announced
22 March 2021 – Press conference at Parliament House
12 March 2021 – First of 2 Deputy National Rural Health Commissioners announced
12 March 2021 – Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner announcement, Wagga Wagga
8 December 2020 – Telehealth supports people living in the bush
18 November 2020 – National Rural Health Commissioner backs rural generalists to improve maternity outcomes
3 July 2020 – Government appoints new National Rural Health Commissioner
19 June 2020 – Rural Health Commissioner presents findings to rural stakeholders
19 June 2020 – Parliament paves way for permanent Rural Health Commissioner
12 June 2020 – Rural Health Commissioner Office extended to improve rural healthcare
28 October 2019 – Rural Health Commissioner reappointed to inject GPs to regional areas
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