Record-breaking growth in future GP numbers

From Alice Springs to Katherine, Nhulunbuy, Borroloola and Wurrumiyanga – Australia’s next generation of GPs has kicked off its training in the Northern Territory.
 
The future GPs join a record-breaking 1772 doctors beginning the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program with the RACGP in 2026, which will also see 56 future GPs beginning training in Tasmania and 359 in Queensland.
 
This year, 31 GP registrars have started training in the NT, 173% more than in 2025.
 
Of these doctors, 19 are on an AGPT rural training pathway and will spend the entirety of their training in the Territory’s rural or remote areas, with seven training as Rural Generalists (RGs).
 
A further 12 are on a general pathway and will train in Darwin and spend at least 12 months outside the capital city region or at an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training post.
 
Ten eligible doctors applied to train as GPs in the NT but there were no places left, indicating that with more Commonwealth funding, the RACGP could train more GPs.
 
RACGP NT Chair Dr Sam Heard said the increased number of GPs training in the NT reflects a ‘growing recognition of the Territory’s unique and rewarding training experiences’.
 
However, he said the NT Government must urgently address housing and accommodation concerns to ensure GP training and medical student placements are supported.
 
‘We are calling on the NT Health Minister to stand up and oversee a collaborative and co-ordinated effort by town councils, land councils, health service providers and other key stakeholders,’ Dr Heard said.
 
‘Our GPs in training will be taking up placements in GP practices and health clinics in towns and also in remote communities across the NT.
 
‘They all need access to accommodation in order to be able to live and work in our communities, much of which is increasingly rundown.’
 
Meanwhile in Tasmania, 56 future GPs have started training in 2026, with 14 training as RGs.
 
This represents a 19% increase on 2025, with a further 28 eligible doctors also applying to train as GPs in the state with no further places available.
 
In Queensland, 359 GPs started their training this year – a 6.5% increase on 2025.
 
Of these, 158 are training on an AGPT rural training pathway, 165 are training on the general pathway, and 71 will train as RGs.
 
A further 36 are training on Queensland’s composite pathway, which requires six months of non-metropolitan training in regions of need.
 
More than 340 eligible doctors applied to train as GPs in Queensland than there were places available, including 257 for a rural pathway.
 
In response, RACGP President Dr Michael Wright is calling on the Federal Government to invest further in general practice training.
 
‘The astounding 47% national growth in rural pathway training demonstrates what we’ve said consistently, funding gets results,’ he said.
 
‘Australia needs more specialist GPs, and the RACGP is ready to train them.
 
‘We’re calling on the Government to sustain long-term investment beyond 2028 so we can continue growing the GP workforce.’
 
Earlier this month, the Federal Government awarded the RACGP a $751.3 million five-year AGPT Grant agreement – the largest and longest training agreement ever awarded to a medical college.
 
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AGPT Australian General Practice Training GPs in training Northern Territory Queensland registrars Tasmania workforce