4 February 2026
222 new doctors to boost critical health front line in the NTNew intake will be based in Darwin, Katherine, Gove, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek78% of RDH trainee doctors staying in the NT to continue medical training
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is delivering on its promise to restore the Territory lifestyle, boosting the Territory health workforce with more than 200 new doctors this year and recording a strong uplift in trainee doctor retention.
Minister for Health Steve Edgington said the recruitment and retention effort is about restoring the Territory lifestyle by strengthening access to quality healthcare and providing the certainty essential workers need to stay, settle and put down roots in the Territory.
"Our focus is simple: grow the health workforce so Territorians get better care and stronger frontline services, whether you live in Darwin, Katherine, Gove, Alice Springs or Tennant Creek," Mr Edgington said.
The new intake will support hospitals across the Territory, including Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital, Katherine Hospital, Gove District Hospital, Alice Springs Hospital and Tennant Creek Hospital.
Mr Edgington said NT Health is also seeing encouraging signs that more doctors in training are choosing to continue their careers in the Territory.
"I'm pleased that a large proportion of NT Health's Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital (RDPH) doctor-in-training workforce is continuing from 2025 into 2026, with a retention rate of 78%, a significant increase on last year," he said.
"In Central Australia, more than 40 trainee doctors have also chosen to stay on at Alice Springs Hospital in 2026."
At RDPH, 50 intern doctors have commenced alongside 36 Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) as well a further 100 registrars.
Rotations from this cohort will strengthen regional services:
Katherine Hospital: 5 interns and 35 RMOsGove District Hospital: 10 interns and 24 RMOsAlice Springs Hospital: 3 interns will rotate from Royal Darwin Hospital for the first time
At Alice Springs Hospital, 10 doctors have commenced with 26 RMOs.
Tennant Creek Hospital: 5 RMOs from this cohort will complete a rotation
Interns and RMOs have relocated from across Australia and overseas to take up roles with NT Health, bringing valuable skills and capacity to Territory hospitals.
NT Health's doctor training pathway includes structured orientation, on-the-job education and post-graduate development, preparing doctors for the unique demands and rewards of working in regional and remote settings.
Orientation programs support a smooth transition into local hospitals and include:
Cultural safety educationTraining in relevant electronic health systemsClinical preparation for managing complex presentations unique to each regionProfessional development sessions, simulations and on-site training
This investment in people and training is strengthening the workforce pipeline and improving continuity of care, helping ensure Territorians can access the health services they need, closer to home.
Dr Danika Thiemt, Director Medical Services, Royal Darwin Hospital, NT Health, "Doctors in Training are at the heart of our hospitals, providing essential frontline care and playing a critical role in delivering high quality medicine across the NT.
"We are pleased to welcome all new staff joining Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospitals in 2026, and we are delighted that so many of our doctors have chosen to continue their careers in the Top End and contribute to the Northern Territory community. We hope all our new doctors find living and working in the Territory as rewarding as we do."
Melissa Henwood, A/General Manager Alice Springs Hospital, NT Health, "I am very pleased to welcome ten interns who commenced at ASH, including three local Alice Springs residents with strong community connection, further supporting regional workforce sustainability and the exciting development of homegrown medical talent.
"Interns make a valuable contribution to the delivery of high-quality patient care, and we are committed to supporting them throughout their first year of clinical practice and important stage of their professional journey. Their arrival strengthens the hospital's workforce and enhances our capacity to meet service demand and the healthcare needs of our community."
RDPH is a major teaching hospital co-located with Flinders NT University, Menzies School of Health Research and has strong links with the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre.
