City Doctors: the Push to Go Bush

Australia’s rural and remote communities have long faced critical shortages in healthcare access, with fewer general practitioners (GPs) per capita and longer wait times than in urban areas. To help bridge the gap, the Australian Government and medical colleges are continuing to incentivise city-based doctors to take short-term—and sometimes permanent—placements in rural and regional areas.

If you’re a GP or a medical student considering a more meaningful way to practise, the bush could be calling. And there’s now more structured support than ever to help you get there.

Why Rural Australia Needs More Doctors

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, people living in rural and remote areas experience poorer health outcomes and greater difficulty accessing services than those in cities. Key challenges include:

• GP shortages in small and remote communities
• Higher rates of chronic disease and mental health issues
• Limited access to specialist care and allied health services

These realities make rural medical work not only professionally diverse but deeply impactful. From chronic care to emergency response, rural GPs often play multiple roles in their communities, gaining experience not easily found in city-based practices.

Government Programs Supporting Rural GP Placements

Several current initiatives support city-based GPs who want to work temporarily or permanently in rural and remote areas. While the former Rural LEAP program set the stage over a decade ago, today’s opportunities are broader and better funded.

1. Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) Program

This program supports medical students and junior doctors to undertake training placements in rural locations. It includes university departments of rural health and rural clinical schools to foster interest in rural practice early in a doctor’s career.

2. National Rural Generalist Pathway

For doctors interested in a long-term rural career, this structured pathway offers advanced training in areas such as emergency care, obstetrics, anaesthetics and Indigenous health. It’s available in several states and is expanding nationwide.

3. Emergency Medicine Education and Training (EMET)

Coordinated by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), EMET offers GPs short-term training to build confidence in handling emergency scenarios—skills that are often crucial in rural settings.

Why GPs Are Saying Yes to the Bush

Incentives to work rurally aren’t just financial (though many roles do offer generous scholarships, grants and relocation support). For many GPs, it’s also about:

• Gaining diverse clinical experience
• Practising with autonomy and impact
• Building meaningful relationships with patients
• Exploring a new lifestyle or location

Short-term rural locum placements are also ideal for city-based doctors wanting a break from routine, looking to upskill, or simply interested in giving back.

How to Get Started

Here are the key organisations offering guidance, placements, and training:

• Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) – 1800 223 226
• Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) – 1800 472 247
• Department of Health – Rural Health Programs

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you’re already qualified or studying to become a doctor, nurse, or allied health professional, rural Australia needs your skills. Explore training pathways and short-term placements to discover how you can make a difference—and gain career-shaping experience along the way.

Not yet qualified? Browse our health and medical courses to get started on a career that can take you from the city to the outback—and everywhere in between.