Seven Amazing Benefits of Working as a GP in Regional Australia
After the Department of Health in Australia’s recent announcement and the RACGP change in pathway being implemented in September 2019, there are now further geographical limitations for overseas trained GPs. You may be wondering how these new regulations will impact your move down under. Will it even still be possible?
The good news is that there’ll still be plenty of GP vacancies. It won’t perhaps be possible within the Australian state capitals so GPs will have to look further afield. There will still be lots of options in smaller cities, regional towns and stunning coastal environments.
Thankfully, Australia’s more regional areas have some amazing benefits, both in terms of lifestyle and professional development. You may discover that living in smaller cities and towns offers you the ideal escape and a more relaxed lifestyle, perfect for you and your family.
Here are some of the fantastic advantages of working and living as a GP in Australia’s more rural regions.
Expand your repertoire
As a GP at a smaller practice, you may need to develop a wider range of skills and become a bit of a ‘jack-of-all-trades’. You might work with patients outside your normal skill set, see a broader range of illnesses, or have more opportunities than you would in urban clinics. All of which, will look great on your CV when, if, you decide to relocate to another area or practice.
Greater autonomy and responsibility
We recently spoke with David, one of the GP’s we helped move to Australia’s West Coast, to discover the benefits of working as a GP in rural Australia. As he explained:
“My day is probably not typical of most GPs in Australia. I see 8 patients in the morning and 7 patients in the afternoon with around 20 minutes per patient…
There are lots of people to help. The patients have plenty of support from specialists. I can order a CT scan or an x-ray in a few days rather than it taking a month.”
Read more about David’s experiences here.
Play an active role in the community
GPs, especially in rural regions, are figures of the community and work closely with local people to promote their health and well-being. You’ll get to spend more time with patients and, as a result, get to know them on a more personal level. So, rather than trying to fill quotas, as you would in a large urban clinic, you can focus on treating the individual — not just the symptoms.
Work with aboriginal people
Over 65% of aboriginal people live in rural regions, which means that as a rural GP you’ll have the opportunity to work with this group of people and learn about their unique approaches to medicine as well as their health problems.
David, our GP in Western Australia, explained that on a typical day:
“I work with Aboriginal patients. About 60% of the Australian population is obese, and this is higher in the aboriginal community. It’s not unusual to see complex diabetes, high blood pressure, lots of alcohol and drug misuse and social disruption.”
Experience Australian Nature
Australia has some stunning nature like the Great Barrier Reef as well as unique wildlife and fauna. Living in remote regions allows you to experience the very best of Australian nature.
As a regional GP, you might live in areas like Bunbury, Busselton or Cairns:
- Bunbury. Bunbury is best known for its resident population of wild bottlenose dolphins that can often be seen swimming off Koombana Bay. As such, you can swim with these intelligent creatures at the Dolphin Discovery Centre or spend your weekends kayaking through Leschenault Inlet with its calm waters and rich mangroves.
- Busselton. Located at Western Australia’s southwest tip, the city of Busselton is surrounded by stunning coast. Nearby, there’s a sheltered beach, perfect for young families and children, and you might even spot a humpback whale.
- Cairns. Cairns is one of the best places to access the Great Barrier Reef, so it’s popular with divers and snorkelers. It’s also quite close to Daintree National Park, where you can spend your weekends hiking through lush mountainous rainforest and gorges or sunbathing on the beach. With so much surrounding it, Cairns is easily a nature-enthusiasts’ paradise.
Relax in small Australian cities
Living in remote regions doesn’t mean you have to live in the outback. Australia’s rural areas have a few cities like MacKay in Queensland. Mackay has a population of 125,000 and offers a great selection of restaurants, boutiques and a city water park.
It’s also within proximity of Australian nature like the Great Barrier Reef, rainforests, and idyllic islands. So, you can take advantage of the best of both worlds.
Better Quality of Life
Living and working in rural regions is, in general, more relaxing. The lower living costs mean that your salary will go further, so you can buy (or rent) a bigger house and enjoy the finest things in life. GP also report being less stressed, getting to spend more time with family and enjoying an overall better quality of life.
Discover GP Vacancies in Regional Australia with Transition Medical
Here at Transition Medical, we have some exciting opportunities in rural regions of Australia. Browse our latest openings or contact our dedicated recruitment consultants to discuss areas and positions that might be a good fit for you and your family.
