Grants to entice registrars to the NT

When Dr Javed Badyari swapped the comforts of city living for the vast and spectacular landscape of East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, he thought it would only be for a three-month training stint.
 
Some 18 months later, after having extended his training, Dr Badyari found himself immersed in the rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, strong sense of community and fascinating clinical workload.
 
He says it’s an experience and skillset he will carry for life, no matter where his general practice career takes him.
 
Despite being far away from his hometown of Wollongong in New South Wales, Dr Badyari, now a Fellow, says he has never felt as socially connected as he did while living and working within the Laynhapuy region of East Arnhem Land – home to the Yolngu People and some 30 communities.
 
‘I remember being quite fearful about the thought of going remote, especially having been in the comforts of the city my whole life,’ he tells newsGP.
 
‘But it’s the best thing I ever did. Now I don’t look back. You learn so much about yourself.’
 
Some of Dr Badyari’s highlights include overnight trips out bush to care for small, remote communities; communicating health issues to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients who have a different view of disease and require a sensitive and culturally appropriate approach; and being welcomed into the heart of the community.
 
For registrars interested in taking a similar path, the RACGP’s Northern Territory Registrar Attraction initiative provides additional financial support for Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program registrars starting or relocating to the NT from the 2026 cohort.


Dr Javed Badyari swapped city living for East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.

Doctors who accept an NT training position on the 2026 RACGP AGPT program, and undertake two six-month full-time equivalent (FTE) PT1 and GPT2 training terms in the NT, will receive a $20,000 grant. Payments are made in two instalments of $10,000 at the completion of each six-month term.

The 2026 cohort registrars that transfer into the NT and/or are general pathway composite registrars who complete two six-month FTE GPT1 and GPT2 training terms in the NT are also eligible, along with part-time registrars.
 
In addition, there are several other grants available for doctors working in the NT, including RACGP placement incentives and other government subsidies.
 
Now a Fellow and currently back in NSW undertaking emergency medicine training, Dr Badyari’s connection to East Arnhem Land remains.
 
‘I’ve really fallen in love with the communities and the people. I’ve been able to keep a link with the same corporation I was working for before, so one day a week down south I work remotely and I’m on call, and still do telehealth with those same communities,’ he says.
 
‘And attached to that role is that every six months or so, I’ll actually go up and be on the ground for three or four weeks. It’s a lovely hybrid role that keeps me connected there but also allows me to upskill and do more training down south.
 
‘I can’t speak for all remote communities, because I know some people find it really challenging and isolating, but my experience has been the opposite, and hence why I’ve kept on with the role with the Northern Territory.
 
‘I really found the job so rewarding, and I guess having got to know a lot of the communities quite intimately, it was almost too hard to let go.’

For more information, see the Northern Territory Registrar Attraction Grant T&Cs and the NT AGPT registrar financial supports flyer.
 
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health GPs in training incentives Northern Territory