The NSW Government's Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway is continuing to boost the regional health workforce, with another 24 doctors joining the program this week as part of the 2026 intake.
These doctors will work across smaller regional hospitals, regional and rural GP practices and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and some regional centres.
Seventy-four rural generalist trainees, including this year's intake, have been employed across eight regional Local Health Districts since the program began in 2024.
Rural generalists are General Practitioners who have an extended skill in a specialty area such as anaesthetics, obstetrics, paediatrics, emergency medicine, mental health or palliative care.
The program is an employment pathway for doctors seeking a career as a rural generalist who work across both primary care and hospital settings.
The program offers a length-of-training contract with a Local Health District in regional NSW, allowing trainees to retain and use their NSW Health Award entitlements during GP training.
Rural generalist trainees also receive the same pay and conditions as their hospital-trained counterparts.
The Minns Labor Government is building an engaged, capable and supported workforce, by:
- Abolishing the wages cap and delivering the largest wage increase to healthcare workers in a decade;
- Implementing ratios in our emergency departments;
- Saving 1,112 nurses which the Liberal Government planned to sack;
- Supporting our future health workforce through providing them with study subsidies; and
- Investing $274 million to deliver an additional 250 healthcare workers at upgraded hospitals left with inadequate staff by the previous government.
Quotes attributable to Regional Health Minister Ryan Park:
"I'm excited to welcome our 24 new trainees to the program, all with a commitment and passion for regional healthcare and communities.
"This program is a game-changer. It supports rural generalist trainees throughout their training, helping to prepare them for a career providing our regional, rural and remote communities with the essential care they need.
"The Minns Labor Government is improving the access, quality and sustainability of health care in our rural and remote communities through a dedicated medical workforce.
"NSW Health is supporting these doctors through their training and it is great to see them setting down roots in our regional communities and experiencing firsthand how rewarding a career in rural medicine can be."
Quotes attributable to Rural Generalist Trainee Dr Jack Grentell:
"Living and working in a regional area gives me the perfect balance, a 10-minute commute, space to enjoy the outdoors, and a strong sense of community. It's the kind of life I want to build for the future, and I can't imagine doing anything else.
"This rural generalist pathway has been the perfect fit. It offers security, flexibility, and the ability to plan ahead. Being able to train and work where I want has allowed us to buy a house and settle down, which is rare in medical training.
"With a supportive team behind you and the ability to tailor placements to your interests, you can focus on becoming the kind of doctor you want to be. Every step of the way, I've met inspiring people who've reaffirmed my decision to stay in regional medicine.
"Being a rural generalist means doing it all, and that diversity is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. You feel truly integrated into the community, and the gratitude from patients reminds you why this work matters.
"Programs like this are essential to ensuring people can get the care they need, close to home. If you're from a rural background and thinking about entering the program, just give it a crack. We need more people like you out here."
