Victoria leads way in GP workforce growth
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Victoria has achieved a remarkable 42% increase in specialist general practitioner (GP) training, with 358 new trainees set to enter the medical workforce in 2025, demonstrating the potential of targeted healthcare workforce development.
The Victorian Government’s $40,000 GP training incentives have transformed medical training, particularly in rural areas. A survey of grant recipients revealed critical insights into the program’s impact:
- 59% of trainees are undertaking placements in regional Victoria
- Almost half would not have pursued GP training without the grant
- 13% moved to Victoria specifically because of the program
RACGP Victoria Chair Dr. Anita Munõz championed the initiative’s success. “The next generation of GPs have been clear about the value of these grants,” she said. “They’ve been a fantastic success, and the continued growth of our GP workforce is a lesson for other states.”
The program has addressed critical workforce challenges, particularly in rural healthcare. Victoria now leads all states and territories in rural GP training, addressing longstanding recruitment difficulties in regional areas.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright emphasised the broader national implications.
“With Australia’s growing and ageing population, and an epidemic of chronic illness, we need to increase the number of GPs we’re training,” he said.
The organisation is calling for ambitious national strategies, including:
- Funding 1,500 additional GP training places over five years
- Linking government-subsidised medical university places to GP training targets
- Increasing Medicare rebates to support bulk billing
The initiative has already shown promising results. Specialist GPs in training report high satisfaction rates, with 84% recommending the program and 78% reporting a good work-life balance.
The new trainees will be distributed across various Victorian regions, with the largest contingents joining Metro East (114 trainees) and Metro West (83 trainees) regions.
As healthcare challenges continue to mount, Victoria’s innovative approach offers a potential blueprint for addressing national medical workforce shortages.
