Doctor Jobs in Australia

As doctor shortage worsens, Australia’s reliance on overseas trained doctors will continue to grow. Overseas trained doctors are an extremely valuable resource but it is imperative for the future of the Australian health system to pursue the right recruitment and retention strategies.

In 2007 the Australian Rural and Remote Workforce Agencies Group CEO Dr Kim Webber said: “Recruiting the right doctors to address each community’s needs is a critical issue and a complex process. We need to ensure all doctors applying for positions in Australia are suitably qualified and have an appropriate employment history before their CV’s are forwarded to prospective employers and communities. The next step is to have mechanisms in place to provide support for the doctor and his or her family in their new community.”

Rural Workforce Agencies are not for profit organisations established in each State and the Northern Territory to responsibly recruit and retain General Practitioners. One of the strengths of the Rural Workforce Agencies is that they not only recruit doctors to rural communities but they also support them to stay there as long as possible.

The suggested model of intensively supporting doctors really does work with domestic doctors. 80 per cent of Western Australian GPs who have completed 5 years of mandatory working in a rural area of need continue to live and work in rural communities, even though they could further work anywhere in Australia.

Rural Workforce Agencies have enjoyed such success in recruitment and retention because of the careful selection and induction process and the intensive supports they provide GP’s such as locum relief, educational supports and addressing family and personal needs.

Interview Opportunity: Dr Kim Webber (ARRWAG CEO): Ph (03) 8825 4500 or 0401 006 170