- Steven Miles first budget as Queensland Premier has delivered a major boost to general practice – incentivising doctors to train as GPs.
- $40,000 incentives form part of the Miles Government's $20 million GP Registrar Incentive Scheme.
- The incentive will bolster Queensland's primary healthcare services and incentivise trainees to undertake GP training.
- Providing additional healthcare workers will help strengthen frontline health services, particularly in rural and remote communities.
Queensland doctors, including those in Mackay, will receive a $40,000 boost to train in General Practice under a new $20 million Miles Labor Government workforce attraction incentive scheme.
General Practitioners play a vital role in delivering healthcare in regions across the state, including Mackay.
The incentive will bolster Queensland's primary care services by incentivising trainees commencing their training from 2025 and 2026, to undertake General Practitioner training across Queensland.
The payment will also address some of the issues young doctors face when considering a career in general practice.
Typically, other medical specialties offer higher remuneration due to the different training system environment.
The Miles Government's commitment provides support to ensure Queensland has the General Practitioner workforce that is needed both now and into the future.
The initiative is in addition to the State Government's successful Workforce Attraction Incentive Scheme which was established on 1 July 2023 to help drive recruitment success across the health system.
There are currently 38 people who have accepted jobs in Mackay under the scheme, relocating from as far as the United Kingdom, India, Ireland, Nigeria and New Zealand.
Both the GP Registrar Incentive Scheme and Workforce Attraction Incentive Scheme reflect the Miles Government's commitment to deliver more frontline health care workers to communities across Queensland by providing financial incentives to eligible medical practitioners around the state.
Workforce recruitment in the public health sector is a priority focus of the Miles Government and will assist the state to attract highly skilled health professionals to provide world-class care in our hospitals and health services, particularly in rural and remote regions.
The Miles Government is taking action to ensure Queenslanders can access the healthcare they need, when they need it, and closer to home.
As stated by Premier Steven Miles:
"Sadly, Queensland's primary care system suffered from a decade of underfunding by the former federal LNP government.
"And our busy emergency departments are still paying the price – Queenslanders are showing up at emergency departments in their highest numbers ever, sicker than ever.
"To alleviate that pressure, I am putting new GP incentives on the table to give our primary care system a much needed helping hand.
"That means here in Mackay, we'll see more GPs in the community, helping Queenslanders in need.
"That's what matters to me, because it matters to Queenslanders.
"Delivering healthcare closer to home for the Mackay community is one of my top priorities and I am proud to be delivering that in my first budget as Premier."
As stated by the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Service and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:
"I am so proud that our government is focused on delivering the highest quality service and health outcomes for all Queenslanders.
"We know that the Mackay community is feeling the impact of GP workforce shortages, with patients experiencing longer wait times, delays in seeing their GP or not being able to access one at all.
"Although this is a federal government responsibility, the Miles Government is taking action to ensure we attract and retain quality and talented frontline healthcare workers we need.
"Our government's commitment of $40,000 will ensure more GPs are working in our communities and the GP workforce remains strong now and into the future.
"More GPs means better healthcare outcomes for patients and improved health and wellbeing for Queenslanders."
As stated by Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert:
"Demand for our health services in Mackay is growing.
"That's why the Miles Government is continuing to boost investment in the health and wellbeing of our local community.
"We know our GPs provide invaluable care and they are usually the first point of call when you're sick or need to access specialist care.
"This fantastic new initiative will give our doctors the extra incentive to train as GPs.
"Along with other incentives such as the Workforce Attraction Scheme, the Miles Government is doing everything we can to attract and retain the skilled health heroes our Mackay community will need for years to come."
As stated by RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins:
"The RACGP welcomes this important investment in training the next generation of Queensland's GPs.
"It will help ensure we can get GPs into communities that need them."
