The Albanese Government is investing $14.5 million to deliver an additional 306 new GP training places in 2026 through the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program to be delivered by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
This investment will take the total number of doctors commencing GP training to around 2,100, a 14 per cent increase to the Albanese Government's previous record of 1,840 achieved in 2025.
With the Albanese Government's continued investment, more doctors have joined the Australian health system in the last three years than at any time in the past decade. Doctor registrations jumped more than 30 per cent in 2024-25 compared to 2021-22.
More junior doctors are training to become GPs and more doctors are registering to practise in Australia since the Albanese Government's record investments to strengthen Medicare.
The sharp growth in the number of junior doctors entering GP training is one of several positive indicators of a turnaround in sentiment among Australia's doctors.
GP colleges have reported an increased demand for AGPT training places, reflecting heightened interest in general practice careers following the Albanese Government delivering GP training incentives in the 2025-26 Budget.
Almost half of the training under the AGPT program occurs in regional, rural and remote areas, boosting the local health workforce in communities most in need.
The Albanese Government is continuing to invest in more GP training places in 2027-28 and beyond as part of its $662.6 million strengthening Medicare package to grow the primary healthcare workforce.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"The Albanese Government's record delivery of GP training places will make a meaningful difference right across the country.
"Because of our efforts to strengthen Medicare, more doctors are starting GP training than ever before.
"More doctors have joined our health system in the past three years than any time in the past decade.
"By boosting the health workforce and strengthening Medicare, our government is making health care more accessible and affordable for all Australians."
Quotes attributable to RACGP President, Dr Michael Wright:
"This is a great decision - the Government is delivering on its commitment to train more specialist GPs and we are well and truly on the road to ensuring Australia has enough GPs for our growing population needs.
"A record number of doctors took up Commonwealth-funded specialist GP training with the RACGP in 2025, with all places filled and more interest than ever.
"The RACGP trains 90% of GPs across Australia, in our cities and our rural and remote communities - and as we have said, more funding and support means we can train more specialist GPs."
