In a boost for rural and regional Tasmania, the Tasmanian Liberal Government has outlined our incentive package to attract up to 40 new GPs to rural and regional Tasmania for five years – fulfilling another key action under our 100 Day Plan.
The GP Incentive Package will include a $100,000 settlement allowance for GPs to practice in rural and regional areas of the State.
The settlement allowance will be spread over five years, with 10 per cent paid at the end of the first year, followed by 20 per cent, 30 per cent, and 40 per cent at the completion of Year 4.
The allowance is in addition to the Commonwealth HELP Scheme of 100 per cent elimination of HECS debt for doctors working in eligible remote and rural areas (MMM3-7 areas).
Further, to attract and retain GPs who are not assisted through the Commonwealth’s HELP scheme, the Government will pay the HECS debt up to a maximum of $100,000 for GPs who have finished their training and decide to settle in outer urban (MMM2) areas.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Guy Barnett, said that this $4 million initiative is a vitally important part of our GP Guarantee and our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, and is purposely designed to attract new GPs to Tasmania.
“I am incredibly proud to progress this initiative, that will incentivise more GPs to practice in rural and regional areas of Tasmania, and keep them here for five years” Minister Barnett said.
“We are making record investments across all major hospitals, employing more frontline healthcare workers and making steady progress to ending ramping – but we know that attracting more GPs here is critical to supporting this work, especially in our regions.
“I am confident that this significant incentive will begin to quickly attract GPs to our rural and regional communities, with Tasmanians to benefit as a result.
“This is another part of our GP Guarantee – with our commitment to also provide multi-year funding to outer-urban, regional and rural Tasmanian GP clinics and our GP NOW Rapid Response Team, both set to begin shortly.”
The final guidelines, including the specific areas the incentive will apply to and how to apply, will be released by 1 August 2024.
