$10k sweetener to settle: The plan to lure doctors to regional SA

South Australian GPs have the chance to pocket an extra $10,000 – they’ve just got to go and work in the country. Find out the towns offering doctors a $10k sweetener to settle.

32 rural towns, including Kapunda, will offer new GPs a $10,000 welcome under a new pay deal with the state government. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Dozens of country towns will offer new GPs a $10,000 welcome under a new pay deal with the state government.

While remote towns now offer up to $50,000 as a signing on deal, another 32 rural towns will offer the new payment of up to $10,000 to encourage new doctors to settle, including Mount Pleasant, Kapunda, Eudunda, Barmera, Meningie, Mannum, Renmark, Waikerie, Bordertown, Kingston, Millicent, Penola, Clare, Wallaroo, Peterborough, Laura, Port Broughton, Crystal Brook, Jamestown, Quorn and Hawker.

The state government has sealed a new four-year deal with rural GPs which includes new incentives to boost the country workforce.

New GPs at Mount Pleasant are eligible for the $10k payment. Picture: Mike Burton.

Waikerie is another SA country town offering a cash incentive to help lure GPs. Picture: Supplied

As part of the SA Health Rural GP Agreement 2024-28 there will be an increase of three per cent to work done in hospitals.

A “recognition payment” of $5000 will be given to each GP signing on to the new agreement “to acknowledge their service and ongoing commitment to South Australian rural and regional communities.”

A new agreement will also allow GPs to be paid for a broad range of non-clinical commitments such as teaching, training, supervision, regional meetings and other essential hospital-based activities.

More than 330 rural GPs and GP registrars are contracted by SA Health to deliver medical services in rural and regional hospitals, providing essential healthcare including emergency services, inpatient care, surgery, obstetrics and anaesthetics.

Contracted GPs deliver these services in addition to maintaining their private practices.

The agreement has been negotiated between the Australian Medical Association, the Rural Doctors’ Association of South Australia and the Rural Support Service on behalf of SA Health’s six regional local health networks.

The agreement will start from February 1, 2024.

SA Health Minister Chris Picton said the deal provided “security” to regional doctors. NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Health Minister Chris Picton thanked the AMA and the Rural Doctors’ Association.

“This provides security to our regional doctors compared to the previous two-year deal signed under the former Liberal Government,” he said.

“It also provides peace of mind to people who live in regional South Australia to know that their local doctor is being looked after for the incredible role they play in the community.”

Rural Support Service executive director, Debbie Martin said GPs are the core of the rural medical workforce.

“This negotiation has been a collaborative and respectful negotiation from day one and we’re delighted to now have a new agreement in place which will help provide more certainty to people in regional areas when they require healthcare,” she said.

AMA SA president Dr John Williams said: “The sustainability and growth of rural communities depends on the healthcare that families and individuals know they will receive in these communities. This agreement is a crucial step in establishing and retaining the clinical workforce we all need to deliver world-class care.”