Government progresses plan to bolster GP workforce

A Federal Government plan to focus on ‘growing the pool of GPs’ has taken a step forward, with universities now able to apply for Commonwealth supported places (CSPs) for an additional 100 medical students.
 
Opening on Wednesday, the plan formed part of the 2025–26 Federal Budget, with the number of places increasing further to 150 per year from 2028.
 
As part of their application, universities will have to demonstrate they will train more GPs with more rotations in primary care.
 
‘The purpose of this grant opportunity is to allocate new commencing medical CSPs and associated medical education and training activities which foster a positive primary care culture,’ the application says.
 
‘And influence the uptake of primary care among graduates to bolster the GP workforce, particularly in rural and underserved metropolitan areas.’
 
Education Minister Jason Clare said the plan is aimed at enticing more young Australians into choosing medicine, and more of them to go on to become GPs.
 
‘More places and more training means more opportunity for young people – and more doctors for communities that need them,’ he said.
 
‘We are backing more medical students today so we have the doctors we need for the future.’
 
The Federal Government will also introduce demand-driven places for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students from 2026.
 
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