Liberals warn of ‘mass exodus’ after Victorian government offers more than $100,000 in incentives to lure doctors and nurses across border

The state government has been urged to act to ensure health workers are not poached by Victoria, after Dan Andrews put more than $100,000 in incentives on the table.

More than $100,000 in financial incentives to lure trainee doctors and nurses to Victoria could lead to a mass exodus out of South Australia, the state opposition has warned.

The Liberals are urging the government to take a more proactive approach to ensure health workers are not enticed across the border.

But the government dismissed the calls as “one-liners with no substance”, and said any extra payments would be chewed up by the higher cost of living in Victoria.

Opposition health spokeswoman Ashton Hurn said “health hungry” Victoria had a clear plan to attract health workers, with financial incentives totalling up to $107,500 on offer.

“Imagine if you are a graduate GP coming through the system and you’re considering your options for the future. You would absolutely be looking really favourably at what is on offer in Victoria,” she said.

Opposition health spokeswoman Ashton Hurn. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Emma Brasier

“What we’re calling for today is for Peter Malinauskas to really outline his plan to attract and retain a workforce here in South Australia because we simply cannot just sit back and watch our doctors and nurses pack their bags and flood to Victoria.”

Incentives on offer include a $5000 sign-on bonus for nurses, up to $13,000 in relocation payments and $16,5000 towards HECS debts.

Nurses can access scholarships and GP registrars could be paid $30,000 to start and $10,000 towards exam payments.

Mrs Hurn said she welcomed efforts to grow the state’s economy following Sunday’s announcement of the largest ever release of land for new housing. But she pointed out “you can’t have one without the other”. “

“Whilst we’re talking about bringing online new suburbs, that means that we need, new doctors and new nurses and new hospitals and new GPs,” she said.

Health Minister Chris Picton said the Liberals had “no plans, no proposals, no costings” on a solution to doctor and nurse shortages.

“They have no appreciation of the higher cost-of-living in Victoria, which would quickly eat up any payments,” he said.

Mr Picton said the state government was acting to rapidly inject extra doctors and nurses into the health system to fix short-term gaps, and is engaging in long-term workforce planning.

Health Minister Chris Picton. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Naomi Jellicoe

He added that doctor and nurse training was “a national issue requiring national action” and the state government was engaging with federal counterparts on the issue, while having already improved conditions for nurses.

“We are already paying nurses more — with a nine per cent pay rise over three years negotiated by the Malinauskas Labor government recently taking effect,” he said.

Mr Picton said South Australia was hiring more new and experienced doctors and ensuring they are supported as they join the health system.

“This includes covering relocation costs where needed, mentoring from senior doctors and social supports to promote wellbeing among our workforce.”

Originally published as Liberals warn of ‘mass exodus’ after Victorian government offers more than $100,000 in incentives to lure doctors and nurses across border