General practitioners in rural Tasmania supported by the Rural General Practice Settlement Incentive grant program to improve recruitment and retention. Rural general practitioners in Tasmania benefiting from the Settlement Incentive grant program to support workforce recruitment and retention.

RGPSI

Primary Health

About the Program

The payment schedule, for maximum payment, will be as follows:

  • Up to $30 000 upon signature of the agreement
  • Up to $50 000 total by the end of the first year of service
  • Up to $65 000 total by the end of the second year of service
  • Up to $80 000 total by the end of the third year of service
  • Up to $90 000 total by the end of the fourth year of service
  • Up to $100 000 total by the end of the fifth year of service

Tasmania like most regional areas in Australia is experiencing challenges in attracting and retaining the health workforce required to support the health system. The Tasmanian Government is focused on creating and sustaining a health professional workforce that provides accessible and effective care for all Tasmanians.

Aligning with the Long-Term Plan for Healthcare in Tasmania 2040, The Rural General Practice Settlement Incentive grant program was announced by the Tasmanian Government in November 2024. This initiative aims to attract up to 40 new GPs to rural and regional Tasmania, by providing incentives of $100,000 maximum over five years for GPs who choose to settle in prioritised rural and regional locations.

The maximum amount available to successful applicants is $100,000 per GP, contingent on fulfilment of service as outlined in the RGPSI Guidelines. Pro rata payments will be available for grantees who cannot fulfill the minimum FTE requirement for maximum payment.

Program Guidelines

The program aims to attract Vocationally Registered GPs to Tasmanian regional, rural and remote areas (MMM 3-7) particularly to general practices connected to District Hospitals and Multipurpose Centres, and select areas in MMM 2.

Eligibility requirements for this program:

  • Registered with AHPRA as a specialist General Practitioner*
  • Willing to provide services in an eligible regional area of Tasmania
  • Have (or are willing to obtain) provider numbers for the new location
  • Have (or are willing to obtain) credentials in regional hospitals or multi-purpose centres
  • Must work a minimum of 0.5 FTE working hours for 47 weeks per year

Applications from Tasmanian GPs wishing to change locations within Tasmania will be considered by the Administrator but may not be approved. The Administrator will consider the reasons for the request, exceptional circumstances, risks and benefits to Tasmania, sustainability of healthcare provision and other factors as appropriate.

*GPs in training are not eligible, however newly Fellowed GPs who are not leaving the Priority 1 or 2 practice they have trained in are eligible and must remain at the location for five years from the time of signing the Grant Agreement.

 

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Priority Criteria

The following priority criteria outline how GPs are classified for support based on the location and nature of the practice they join. Practices are grouped into three priority levels to reflect workforce needs in rural and regional Tasmania, ensuring the areas with the greatest demand receive appropriate focus and resources.

Number 1

Priority 1

GPs who join a Practice in rural or regional Tasmania which services a District Hospital, a Multipurpose Centre or Services, who provide rural state funded urgent and admitted care and who participate regularly in their medical roster of care.

Practices include:

  • Beaconsfield Family Medical Practice
  • Deloraine Medical Centre
  • Derwent Valley Medical CentreDover Medical Centre and the associated Geeveston Medical Centre
  • George Town Medical Centre
  • Ochre Medical Centres at Bruny Island, Campbell Town, Flinders Island, King Island, Queenstown,
  • Scottsdale, Smithton, St Helens, St Marys, Strahan and Zeehan
  • Oatlands Surgery
  • Swansea General Practice
  • Tasman Medical Practice
Number 2

Priority 2

Practices from Priority One group (if the GP is not participating in THS patient care) and the following practices:

  • Bothwell Doctors

  • Central Highlands Medical Centre (currently closed) or replacement practice for Ouse

  • cohealth Bicheno

  • cohealth Triabunna

  • Dr Merran Dyer Practice Sheffield

  • Sheffield Medical Centre

Number 3

Priority 3

GPs settling in MMM 3-7 practices other than those in Priority 1 and 2.

Doctors settling in MMM2 practices that are identified as Health Workforce Needs Assessment (HWNA) priority areas.

Examples of these practice locations in the 2025 HWNA include Snug, Risdon Vale, Bridgewater, Dodges Ferry and Lauderdale.

Applying for the RGPSI grant program

How To Apply

  • As part of the application process, applicants must agree that they are aware of the requirements of the Program Guidelines
  • By submitting an application form, applicants agree that if they are successful, they will be bound by a Grant Agreement between themselves and an Administrator.
  • If the application is successful, applicants will be notified via email. This will form an agreement between the successful applicant and the Administrator on the terms and conditions of the Grant Agreement.
  • If an applicant is successful in applying for the GP Grant program, the applicant will need to provide banking details for the Grant to be paid.

To apply for the program please click the Apply Now button.

Apply Now
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We’re here to help

If you would like more information about the program please reach out.

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