Doctors in training: HETI’s General Medicine Trainee Conference at Wollongong Hospital

As of August 2024, most states saw health sector job vacancies decline compared to 2023. Vacancy rates were higher than the national average in TAS, ACT, NT, and QLD. TAS had the highest vacancy rate for medical practitioners, considerably higher than the national average, followed by NSW. Allied Health positions were in demand in NT, while SA had above average vacancies for Nursing and Midwifery professionals. Read more in our full report.

The initial stages of a new fast-track registration pathway for international doctors has been launched by the Medical Board of Australia. IMGs, SIMGs and medical recruiters - read our summary and keep updated on the Expedited Specialist Pathway and Accepted Qualifications List.

The Department of Health and Aged Care have released their GP Supply and Demand Study - August 2024, which shows significant unmet demand will increase into the future. Australia already has a shortage of 2400 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) GPs, and this is predicted to grow to around 3,900 FTE in 2028, and to over 8,900 FTE by 2048. View GP FTE –supply vs demand predictions for each Australian State and Territory, and other GP workforce insights.

Australia is seeing a rise in trainee GPs, reversing a seven-year decline, with a 19.8% increase in applicants for the Australian General Practice Training program. The program ensures over half of trainees spend time in rural areas, addressing a shortage of GPs in remote regions. However, some worry the increase is a temporary fix. Rural areas face a maldistribution of doctors, and there are calls for more training places to meet long-term health care needs.