Australia's medical colleges are backing their commitment to regional healthcare with concrete action, launching an unprecedented expansion of specialist training in regional, rural, and remote areas.
This expansion reflects a coordinated effort across all medical colleges to address the critical shortage of specialists outside major cities.
"Our rural and regional communities deserve the same access to specialist care as our cities," said Associate Professor Sanjay Jeganathan, Chair of the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC). "We're seeing real results from our colleges' commitment to rural training."
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has filled all rural training positions for 2025. New data shows that 585 GPs will begin rural specialist training in 2025, part of a broader intake of 1,506 junior doctors into specialist programs—a 20% increase from last year.
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine reports 80% of their graduates now practice in rural areas.
In partnership with the Northern Territory Government, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) has commenced its first-ever dedicated general surgery training pathway, designed to train surgeons within and for the Territory's unique healthcare needs.
The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists has awarded 343 rural generalist certificates as part of their comprehensive regional workforce strategy.
Several colleges, including those for ophthalmologists and medical administrators, now mandate rural placements lasting six to twelve months.
The expansion comes as projections show Australia could face a shortage of 5,000 doctors by 2030. While overseas-trained specialists help fill immediate gaps, medical colleges are prioritising sustainable solutions through local training programs.
"We're building lasting change by training specialists who understand regional communities and are more likely to stay long-term," said A/Prof Jeganathan.
The Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges will combine with the National Rural Health Commissioner on February 12, 2025, in a workshop to consider strategies for boosting specialist numbers in rural and regional Australia.
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The Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) is Australia's peak body representing specialist medical colleges.
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