Racism Against Overseas Doctors Condemned by GPs and Communities
16 Jul 2026
The comments appeared on a Facebook post welcoming two overseas-trained doctors to a clinic in the Hunter Valley. The clinic owner said it was the first time he had seen this type of response and described the remarks as racist and discriminatory.
He said every doctor deserves to feel welcome and respected, regardless of where they trained or were born. The new doctors have completed extensive medical education, specialist training and the required Australian or UK examinations before taking up their roles.
The clinic owner plans to speak with the doctors when they arrive to reassure them that the comments do not reflect the values of most Australians. He said the strong support shown by many local community members gave him confidence that racism is not accepted by the wider community.
However, he also expressed concern that recent public attitudes may be encouraging some people to openly share discriminatory views.
Associate Professor Ayman Shenouda, Chair of the RACGP National IMG Committee, said racism has no place in healthcare and every doctor should be able to work in a safe and respectful environment.
He said international medical graduates have supported Australia's healthcare system for decades, especially in rural, regional and remote communities where doctor shortages remain a challenge.
According to Associate Professor Shenouda, many IMGs leave behind their families, careers and home countries to help care for Australian patients. He said racism against doctors affects not only individuals but also the healthcare system as a whole.
Having migrated to Australia from Egypt as a young doctor, Associate Professor Shenouda said negative experiences could discourage skilled doctors from choosing Australia in the future.
RACGP NSW and ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman said she was shocked that doctors continue to experience this type of racism in 2026. She highlighted that international medical graduates make up more than half of Australia's GP workforce and play a vital role in delivering healthcare, particularly in regional and remote communities.
Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi also condemned the abuse, saying racism and hate have no place in the Hunter community and should always be challenged.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said Australian healthcare has been strengthened by doctors from diverse backgrounds. He said the college continues to work towards improving cultural safety and tackling racism across general practice.
Associate Professor Shenouda urged the medical profession to stand together, support colleagues who experience discrimination and continue building a healthcare system where every doctor feels respected, every patient feels cared for, and diversity is valued.
Racism Against Overseas Doctors Condemned by GPs and Communities
Source: newsGP