GP training boost brings 64 new doctors to southwest Victoria

THE region’s GP workforce is expanding, with 64 general practitioners in training set to join the Metro and Rural South West region, which covers areas from Geelong to the South Australian border and the southern Mallee.

The latest intake includes 25 GPs in a general training pathway and 39 in a rural pathway, with the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) attributing the growth to state government training incentives.

RACGP Victoria chair Dr Anita Munõz said the Victorian Government’s $40,000 training incentives have played a key role in encouraging new doctors to pursue general practice, particularly in regional areas.

“Our communities have seen the positive impact of the Victorian Government’s training incentives for GPs,” she said.

“The next generation of GPs have been clear about the value of these grants.

“They’ve been a fantastic success, and the continued growth of our GP workforce is a lesson for other states. Funding general practice delivers results.”

Dr Munõz called for continued funding of the incentives to further strengthen the regional GP workforce.

“The Victorian Government should expand the program to get more GPs into our regional cities and rural towns.

“Given their success, the Victorian Government should fund its GP training incentives in 2026 and beyond.

The program, introduced in 2024, has resulted in Victoria having the highest number of GPs in rural training of any state.

A survey of grant recipients found that 59 per cent of participants are undertaking placements in regional Victoria, with almost half indicating they would not have pursued GP training without the financial support.

RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the success of Victoria’s program demonstrates the importance of investing in general practice to address growing healthcare needs.

“We’ve shown we can train more GPs, and with Australia’s growing and ageing population, and an epidemic of chronic illness, we need to increase the number we’re training to meet the need for care,” Wright said.

“We’re calling for funding to train an extra 1500 specialist GPs over the next five years.

Dr Wright also highlighted the need for greater investment in Medicare to support bulk billing and reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients.