Healthcare workers wanted: QLD offers incentives to boost public sector staff

Queensland state government offers tens of thousands of dollars in incentives to attract healthcare workers.

In a bid to boost public sector staff, the Queensland state government is offering tens of thousands of dollars in incentives to attract interstate and overseas healthcare workers to the region.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that payments totalling AUD 70,000 will be available for medical practitioners who relocate to regional or rural areas, while up to AUD 20,000 will be available for other healthcare workers who move anywhere within the state.

The announcement comes in response to global competition for healthcare workers, with the state government committed to attracting and retaining frontline healthcare workers.

Under the scheme, eligible workers including doctors, nurses, specialists, dentists, and allied health professionals who move to Queensland will receive a $10,700 incentive when they start, and another $10,700 after a year of work.

Medical practitioners who relocate to rural or remote areas will receive an additional $26,700 after three months, and another $26,700 after a year. The payment is available to those already working in Queensland.

Interstate and international medical practitioners will be eligible for both payments, with the potential to benefit from up to $74,700 if they move to Queensland.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has praised the innovative policies as an example of thinking outside of the box, stating that the Queensland Health workforce must be boosted to deliver the right care at the right time, in the right place.

“We welcome healthcare workers to experience why we all love Queensland while also making a new life delivering positive results and peace of mind for our regional and remote communities,” she added.

The incentives are designed to attract healthcare workers to the region while also offering the opportunity to experience what makes Queensland an attractive place to live and work, delivering positive results and peace of mind for regional and remote communities.

Ritchelle Drilon

Website | + posts

Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.

• Aged Care Transition Taskforce assembled to guide historic reform
• Study finds gaps in clinical trial data transparency for top medicines
• Retirement villages offer better quality of life for seniors: Study
• Digital aged care tool wins national innovation award