The Australian and Northern Territory Governments are working together to deliver more doctors and better care for people in rural and remote Northern Territory.
A new Single Employer Model (SEM) trial will support up to 24 full-time equivalent rural generalist trainees based in the Katherine and Big Rivers region.
Rural generalists are GPs who do extra training to deliver a broader range of services to patients in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia.
Under the program, trainees will be salaried employees of the Northern Territory Government, rather than changing employers every six to 12 months with each new general practice placement.
The trial will give graduates a guaranteed income and entitlements such as annual leave, parental leave, sick leave and other benefits received by doctors training in hospital settings.
This initiative means rural generalist GP registrars will be able to work across primary care services and Katherine Hospital to complete their training under one employer.
Locating the SEM trial across Katherine and the Big River region will help general practices attract rural generalist trainees and increase access to medical services for locals in the immediate term.
The trial begins in June 2026 and will run until December 2028.
Local training partners Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service, Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, Katherine West Health Board Aboriginal Corporation and Bauhinia Health will all be able to host registrars at their services under the trial.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"We want to attract more doctors to the Northern Territory.
"This program will help to retain the doctors we need to continue to provide essential primary healthcare services to Territorians.
"Importantly, it will make it easier for people in rural Northern Territory to see a doctor close to home.
Quotes attributable to Minister Edgington:
"We want to make the Territory a great place to live, work, visit and invest, and attracting more essential workers like doctors in our regional areas like Katherine is vital.
"Attracting doctors to our regions is critical to ensuring all Territorians can access timely, high-quality care, no matter where they live.
"Making it more attractive for doctors to come and stay in Katherine is important to ensuring better health services for the people of Katherine and restoring our unique Territory lifestyle."
Quotes attributable to Marion Scrymgour, Member for Lingiari:
"Our government is committed to ensuring Territorians living in regional areas get access to the health care they need.
"Attracting and retaining rural generalist GPs is a cornerstone of providing the level of care required for our community and this trial will have a meaningful impact.
"I am very eager to see more doctors come and experience the beauty of the NT, and help make a real difference to our community."
Quotes attributable to Jo Hersey, Member for Katherine:
"This initiative of Rural generalist GP registrars, working under the Single Employer Model across Health care providers in Katherine is something that has been advocated for a long time.
"This will give greater capacity to provide a better health care service for residents of Katherine."
