In rural Australia, access to medical services remains a significant challenge. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare:

• Approximately 20% of Australians in remote areas don’t have GP services nearby.

• Almost 60% of Australia’s rural population don't have access to specialists in their region.

Consequences of reduced access to health care in rural communities include fewer cancer screenings and more potentially preventable hospitalisations. In 2021, people living in remote areas had a mortality rate 1.2 times as high when compared to all of Australia.

Additionally, the proportion of Indigenous people in rural areas is much higher (32% compared to 1.8% in major cities). Indigenous Australians on average have lower life expectancy, increased disease risks, and a higher likelihood of hospitalisation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the importance of health services in rural and remote communities. For example, COVID-19 can impact people with chronic conditions more. These long term illnesses are more prevalent in rural and remote regions.

The shortage of doctors negatively impacts the quality of care, wellbeing, and life expectancy in the rural Australian population. 

Why do many doctors avoid rural regions?

Doctors who train in Australia mostly come from a metropolitan background and are accustomed to the city lifestyle. Even with financial incentives, many are reluctant to go rural as their family, friends and social networks are in metropolitan areas.

A survey by the Australian Medical Association found that lack of staffing, level of responsibility, and poor infrastructure deter doctors from working in rural and remote regions.

Incentives for doctors to work in rural areas

The Australian government runs several programs to boost the number of doctors working in rural areas, thereby improving access to these health professionals:

• The Remote Vocational Training Scheme supports rural doctors to undertake general practice fellowship whilst remaining in their current residence. This prevents the need to relocate to urban centres.

• The More Doctors for Rural Australia Program allows non-vocationally registered doctors to work in rural areas and to access Medicare. They can receive support and training towards vocational recognition.

• The Workforce Incentive Program provides direct financial incentives for doctors and other healthcare professionals.‍

• Rural health workforce initiatives and programs has an extensive list of programs related to the rural health workforce in Australia.

Why become a rural doctor?

There are a number of benefits that a career in rural medicine can offer, such as:

• Diverse training and experiences – there’s a wide range of opportunities to develop your skill set and broaden your experiences. These include mentoring, training programs, and personalised career support.   

• Connecting with local communities – you’ll get to improve health and wellbeing in culturally diverse, close-knit and welcoming communities like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.

• Higher earning potential – rural doctors are in high demand so these positions tend to be better paid. The lower cost of living in remote areas means you can save more too.

What are the most recent developments in rural health in Australia?

Exposure to rural practice during medical training increases the chances of medical graduates working in rural areas. 

In 2018, the Australian government launched the Murray-Darling Medical Schools Network. It comprises seven universities from New South Wales and Victoria which aim to immerse medical students in extensive rural clinical experience.

What do I need to know about rural medicine for my medical school interview?

The rural doctor shortage may come up during your medical school interview. It’s important for aspiring medical students to have an understanding of the issue, especially when applying to schools that have a strong emphasis on rural medicine (University of New England, Charles Sturt University and James Cook University).

Understand the reasons behind the shortage, its consequences, and the government's efforts to address it. Be prepared to discuss your willingness to work in rural areas and how this aligns with your strengths and weaknesses. A rural medical career offers greater autonomy, a supportive community, financial incentives, and opportunities for further training.

Rurality and medical school admissions

If you are from a rural area, check if you are eligible:

• To apply for a rural entry stream, which has a lower entry requirement

• For rural adjustment points that improve your selection rank

• To apply for any scholarships specifically for rural students

Different universities use different criteria to determine your rurality (e.g. ASGC-RA and RRMA), so check with each university that you apply to. 

You can apply for the Bonded Medical Place (BMP) scheme even if you’re not from a rural area. The government helps pay for your education, and in return, you’ll work in rural areas for a few years after you graduate. This is called the Return of Service Obligation.

How can I find out more about rural health?

• ‍Broome Docs provides a single source of up-to-date educational material for country doctors.

• The Australian Journal of Rural Health (AJRH) is a multidisciplinary refereed journal focusing on rural and remote health.

• The Rural Doctors Association (RDA) covers rural medicine in great detail.

Medify – widening access to medical schools

Medify is committed to widening access to medicine. 

Our UCAT ANZ Online Course is accessible 24/7 with various budget-friendly payment options starting from just $35. It provides 20,000+ questions, 24 mocks, 40+ mini-mocks and 50+ hours of video tutorials.