Healthcare workforce shortages remain one of the most pressing challenges facing rural and regional Australia. Limited access to GPs, specialists and allied health services is forcing some residents to travel long distances for treatment, or even consider relocating to metropolitan areas. Addressing the issue will require more than a single policy fix. A coordinated mix of recruitment, training, incentives and long-term regional investment will be essential to ensure rural communities can access the healthcare services they need now and into the future.
05 March 2026
Insight from: Robbie Sefton
A shortage of healthcare services and health professionals in remote, rural and regional Australia is nothing new. But, the full ramifications of this probably aren’t fully appreciated by many of us. Particularly if you’ve never lived in one of these communities – especially somewhere quite small and isolated – or if you’ve been fortunate enough to have never been impacted by an acute or chronic medical condition.
I saw an article recently that made me stop and think, a story about a couple in a regional town – of a decent size - who were forced to consider a permanent move to the city due to healthcare concerns. They were both in their late 70s and he suffered from a chronic health issue that couldn’t be dealt with in their hometown and forced them to travel up to five hours to and from their nearest capital city for treatment. This wasn’t the first time I’d heard this, but it made me think what a terrible dilemma this would be. They had their friends and family there, but due to a lack of services they were considering uprooting their lives and moving away.
Attracting and retaining GPs, specialists and allied health professionals in rural and regional areas is nothing new and an ongoing challenge for governments at all levels. Even communities themselves – and local practices looking to attract staff – are doing their part, offering enormous salary incentives, free housing, even free coffees and gym memberships. Such is the urgent demand that places are getting highly creative when it comes to recruiting potential candidates.
Many healthcare networks are running highly targeted recruitment campaigns to fill hundreds of vacancies around the country. Many of these are looking overseas to attract new staff, promoting the many virtues of practising and living in a country like Australia. We had the pleasure of working with a network last year on a campaign like this, and as a longtime resident of rural and regional NSW, I’m pleased to report they are working. Governments are also rolling out new schemes, boosting degree options for regional universities and training places, funding new clinics, and increasing financial incentives for relocation.
Of course, training medical professionals takes time so we can’t gauge the success of these government strategies for some time. And, unfortunately many rural and regional locations, and their residents, don’t have that kind of time. They need staff now. In response to this, it’s been suggested in some quarters that new graduates must serve a period of time in a rural or regional area before they can move to a metropolitan centre. There’s a lot to unpack there but such is the desperate need in many communities that any ideas are worth consideration. It should be said though communities really need staff who stay for a while – longer than a few months or even a few years - because continuity of care is also important.
What can’t be forgotten in all this, too, is the need for ongoing investment in rural and regional communities to ensure they are appealing places to live and work, and have the infrastructure that attracts new residents and most importantly, encourages them to stay. The takeaway from all this is there is no magic pill to cure healthcare shortages. It will come down to a suite of approaches and measures that are supported and funded by governments long-term, so future regional residents don’t have to make the decisions many are faced with now.
