More jobs and clinical training opportunities for young doctors

Three new University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH) will also deliver more opportunities for undergraduate nursing, midwifery and allied health students to train in the regions.

"Through this funding, the Coalition is creating more than 140 full-time jobs within universities for the operation of the Regional Training Hubs and UDRHs," Federal Assistant Minister for Health, Dr David Gillespie said. 

This is an additional investment through the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training program, with an additional $54.4 million available over 2016-17 to 2018-19 to support these exciting new developments.

"All of the universities involved in these initiatives have now signed on, and are meeting with local health and medical providers about these new programs that are being set up in their regions."

Regional training hubs will work with healthcare providers, specialist colleges and local health authorities to develop training pathways for young doctors in the regions. The UDRHs are gearing up to start providing rural training placements to nursing and allied health students, providing the opportunity to experience the benefits and challenges of becoming a rural health practitioner.

"Both of these Coalition Government initiatives support high quality rural placements for health students from across Australia, to help ensure rural communities have access to doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals in the future," Minister Gillespie said.

"Supporting rural health training is an important way to address rural health workforce shortages. These initiatives will help the Coalition Government deliver on its commitment to create jobs and provide first rate health and medical services to all Australians – regardless of where they live."