Rural
3 February, 2024
Praise for incentives scheme
The National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) has praised the Commonwealth Government’s introduction of the Rural Advanced Skills, funding streams in the Workforce Incentives Program this week.
Designed to support rural generalist doctors in gaining advanced skills, the program addresses the critical needs of healthcare in rural and remote areas.
According to Susi Tegen, Chief Executive of the Alliance, life expectancy is lower in remote areas, with a 1.4 times higher burden of disease compared to major cities.
Rural generalists, crucial for multidisciplinary rural healthcare, now have access to incentives up to $21,000 a year, encouraging those with advanced skills in mental health, obstetrics, surgery, emergency medicine, First Nations health, and anaesthetics to apply.
The Alliance said it was critical to reverse the decline in the rural doctor workforce to ensure equitable healthcare access for the 30 per cent of Australia’s population in rural, remote, and regional areas.
Eligibility and applications can be found on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
