AMA Queensland welcomes state government’s GP training incentives
AMA Queensland applauds Queensland Government's commitment to recruiting GPs.
Dr Nick Yim talks to medical students and junior doctors interested in general practice at AMA Queensland's Junior Doctor Conference
AMA Queensland has welcomed the Queensland Government’s commitment to primary healthcare with the confirmation of the General Practice Trainee Incentive program.
The $24 million investment will see more than 550 eligible doctors starting their GP training in Queensland in 2025 receive one-off payments of $40,000.
President Dr Nick Yim said it was a much-needed attraction incentive to have doctors train to be GPs in Queensland.
“We are pleased to see the Queensland Government recognise the importance of general practice as one of the pillars of our health system,” he said.
The Queensland Government’s commitment to payroll tax exemption and now this GP training incentive shows the commitment to general practice and demonstrates the need for Queensland to be competitive to attract and recruit doctors.”
“AMA Queensland has long campaigned for this GP attraction incentive to align with that offered in Victoria, and it formed part of our 2025-26 and previous years’ budget submissions.
“Many junior doctors have contacted us seeking confirmation this program was going ahead, so it’s great to know these medical practitioners will be supported to join our GP workforce.
Dr Yim said it was important to advocate for more GP services outside of South East Queensland.
“We need to support these doctors to work in our regional and rural areas to care for those communities who are in desperate need of increased primary care access,” he said.
“We look forward to seeing this, and other initiatives AMA Queensland has advocated for, funded in the upcoming state budget.
Dr Yim said primary healthcare is historically funded by the federal government, and funding reform is needed at that level to support longer, more complex consultations.
“GPs are the backbone of our health system and provide world-leading preventive and early intervention health treatment for our entire community, from the cradle to the grave," he said.
“They are key to keeping us healthy and well throughout the course of our lives.”
