Visa program for skills shortages in regional Australia

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released its report on job mobility for February 2024. We look at insights for the Health Care and Social Assistance Industry, including new entrant numbers and mobility rates.

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) supports the Victorian Government's trial of the Single Employer Model (SEM) for Rural Generalist registrars. The SEM will streamline training and employment for junior doctors by offering consistent employment benefits, such as leave, across various placements. This model is already being trialled in South Australia and aims to enhance skills development, workforce retention, and patient care in rural communities.

This article details Dr. Keating's rural health experience in Queensland, where she discovered her passion for rural medicine and fell in love with a \"cowboy.\" She highlights the rewarding nature of rural practice, noting the unique challenges and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Dr. Keating’s commitment remote healthcare underscores the importance of attracting junior doctors to underserved areas who are passionate about making a difference in these communities.

We examine the AHHA's Perspectives Brief, which explores the oral health workforce in South Australia and barriers to workforce planning. The recruitment challenges affecting this workforce are relevant to Australia's overall health sector, and include issues such as workforce distribution, regional and remote education and development, demographic shifts, a decline in small owner-operated providers, and global competition for skilled workers. Read more here.