Which Australian Universities Are Producing the Most GPs?
28 Oct 2025
The research, co-authored by RACGP President Dr Michael Wright and ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin and published in MJA InsightPlus, examined medical graduates from 21 universities between 2019–2023 and tracked how many went into general practice (GP) and Rural Generalist (RG) training using 2025 enrolment data.
The findings reveal that conversion from graduation to GP or RG training varies widely, ranging from 16% to 52% across different universities. James Cook University and the University of Notre Dame’s Fremantle campus lead the way, with over half of their graduates choosing general practice, while Monash University and the University of Queensland contributed the largest number of graduates overall, each sending more than 100 into GP or RG training.
Dr Wright said the data highlights the difference between universities in encouraging students to pursue general practice. “More than 30% of graduates enter general practice, even though only about 15% of final-year students initially list it as their first choice,” he said. “This shows that experiences during internship, exposure to positive role models, lifestyle considerations, and available training opportunities influence career choices after graduation.”
The study also underscores the need for continued support of universities and initiatives that provide positive GP training experiences, particularly in rural and regional settings. The next phase of the project will analyse longitudinal trends in university outcomes to guide strategies for strengthening Australia’s GP and rural generalist workforce.
Source: RACGP, MJA InsightPlus
