SA GPs Advocate for Workforce and Access Improvements at Parliament
17 Oct 2025
Key points from the event:
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Attracting overseas-trained doctors: RACGP SA Chair Dr Siân Goodson proposed $40,000 grants to incentivise overseas-trained doctors to move to South Australia and train in rural and regional areas. Evidence shows GPs are more likely to remain where they train, providing a long-term boost to local healthcare.
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Growing local GP training: SA welcomed 114 junior doctors into specialist GP training in 2025, a 34% increase from the previous year, with a 60% increase on rural pathways. However, Queensland and NSW attracted twice as many overseas-trained GPs per capita.
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After-hours care funding: Dr Goodson called for $150,000 per practice per year to cover costs for weeknight and weekend GP services, enabling non-urgent and preventive care for patients who cannot access regular weekday appointments.
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Metro to Rural Practice Program: The RACGP proposed funding city-based GPs to regularly practise in rural communities, building ongoing relationships, supporting rural GPs, and reducing reliance on temporary locums.
Other highlights:
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GPs provided 15-minute health checks for local politicians, including blood pressure and diabetes risk checks.
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The event emphasised the value of continuity of care, with patients benefiting from seeing the same GP for better coordination, trust, and health outcomes.
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Telehealth with a patient’s usual GP was acknowledged as valuable, but in-person access remains essential, particularly for after-hours and rural services.
The SA event marked the final GPs@Parliament session for 2025, with state-based events set to continue from early 2026.
Source: RACGP, 2025.
