Growth in future GPs strengthens Queensland’s primary care workforce

Patients in Queensland will soon find it easier than ever to see a GP, with a growing cohort of future specialist GPs commencing training in the Commonwealth-funded Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program with the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP).

In 2026, 359 future GPs have commenced training in Queensland, a 6.5% increase on 2025. Of these:

• 158 are training on an AGPT rural training pathway, a 12% increase (+17) from 2025, strengthening GP workforce supply across Queensland’s MM2–7 rural and regional communities
• 133 are training on the general pathway
• 68 are training on Queensland’s composite pathway, newly taken up in 2026, requiring six months of non-metropolitan training in regions of need such as Northwest Queensland‑metropolitan training in regions of need such as Northwest Queensland
• 71, or 20% of the cohort, will train as Rural Generalists (RGs), completing an additional year of advanced rural skills that support emergency and hospital services across regional Queensland.

This strong intake reflects growing interest in general practice training in Queensland and highlights the importance of flexible training models, particularly the new composite pathway, in meeting registrar needs and improving access to care across the state.

RACGP Queensland Chair Dr Cath Hester said the increase demonstrated confidence in Queensland’s GP training environment.

“Queensland’s 6.5% increase in registrars shows that more junior doctors are choosing general practice, and choosing Queensland, for high-quality training and meaningful community impact,” she said.  

“The growth in rural pathway training and the introduction of the composite pathway give registrars more choice, more flexibility, and more opportunities to experience the breadth of practice in regional Queensland.

“We know that registrars who train in rural and regional settings are far more likely to stay. The strong take-up of rural and composite pathways is good news for communities outside Brisbane that rely on GPs now and into the future.

“To sustain this growth, we need continued investment in GP supervisors, practice infrastructure, and rural incentives. When we support the training pipeline, we support healthier Queensland communities.”

A further 341 eligible doctors applied to train as GPs in Queensland – 257 for a rural pathway – indicating that with additional Commonwealth-funded AGPT places and increased support for GP supervisors, the RACGP can train even more specialist GPs across the state.

RACGP President Dr Michael Wright called on the Federal Government to continue investing in training to support all communities’ access to high-quality general practice.

“We’ve worked with the Federal Government to fill all available Australian GP Training Program places for the second year running,” he said.

“The 47% national growth in rural pathway training shows clearly that funding gets results.

“Doctors who experience rural general practice are significantly more likely to stay rural. Queensland’s strong rural and composite intake is a powerful example of how targeted investment supports communities.

“Applications to train as a specialist GP have increased 81% since 2024. Doctors are choosing general practice because it offers excellent training, continuity of care, and the chance to make a real difference.

“Australia needs more specialist GPs, and the RACGP is ready to train them. We’re calling for long-term investment beyond 2028 to continue growing the GP workforce.”

~ENDS

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