New incentives for advanced skills in rural areas
WNSW PHN welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement of payments of up to $21,000 for GPs and rural generalists, under the Workforce Incentives Program (WIP)- Rural Advanced Skills payment.
The payments are open to eligible GPs and rural generalists with qualifications in areas such as mental health, obstetrics, First Nations health, anaesthetics and surgery, in large rural towns to very remote communities. Payments between $4,000 and up to $10,500 are available to GPs providing emergency care, based on the area and the hours worked.
The payment consists of two streams. Stream One for emergency medicine in hospitals, Medicare Urgent Care Clinic or multipurpose service and emergency after hours in primary care where no hospital is within 50kms. Stream Two for advanced skills in;
- Adult Internal Medicine
- Anaesthesia
- First Nations Health (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health)
- Mental Health
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics and Child Health
- Palliative Care
- Remote Medicine
- Surgery
Different payments are available for doctors across streams, specialties, MM classifications and rosters completed that meet minimum thresholds. Where eligible, doctors who meet the requirements can apply for the payment under each stream.
GPs are vital to the function, health, and viability of small towns within Australia. These incentives are important for people in regional, rural and remote areas as it provides support for GPs in these areas to deliver a more comprehensive list of services to the community.
Servies delivered between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2025 will be covered under the WIP-Rural Advanced Skills payment. Applications are based on a 12-month assessment period and are paid accordingly. Therefore, doctors may be eligible for three annual payments per Stream. Applications can be submitted anytime during this 3-year period, but where multiple applications are submitted, the 12-month assessment period may not overlap on previous application. Application forms must be submitted by 30 March 2026.
The applications are now open and payments have commenced. If you need any assistance or support applying please contact WNSW PHN Practice Development team via email practicedevelopment@wnswphn.org.au.