The Albanese Government is continuing its investment in future GPs, with another competitive grant round now open to allocate government‑funded university medical places.
From today universities can apply for a share of 50 new medical Commonwealth supported places to commence from 2028, with over $5.7 million in funding.
All public universities are eligible to apply, including those looking to establish new medical schools.
This builds on the Commonwealth's previous investment of 100 new primary care focused medical places which commenced across ten Australian universities this year.
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 doctors are registering to practice in Australia, more junior doctors are training to become GPs, and more medical graduates are aspiring to become GPs since our Government's record investments to strengthen Medicare.
The Albanese Labor Government will continue to strengthen Medicare with a $617 million investment to train more homegrown doctors and nurses. This forms part of our record $8.5 billion strengthening Medicare investment.
Applications for the 50 new medical Commonwealth supported places will close on Tuesday 7 April 2026.
The boost to our future GP workforce comes at a time of record interest in GP careers.
Australian Government funded GP training programs are on track to see more than 2,100 commencing registrars in 2026, the largest cohort of future GPs in history.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler:
"Thanks to the Albanese Labor Government's investments more doctors have joined the system in the last two years than any time in the past decade."
"Training a domestic medical workforce is crucial to ensuring every Australian can access quality health care where and when they need it."
"The growth in popularity of general practice and rural generalism shows our efforts to strengthen Medicare and support primary care are working
"Our government's commitment to providing these additional medical places reflects our commitment to strengthening Medicare and supporting primary care for all Australians"
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:
"Additional medical places mean more opportunities for young Australians to become doctors, and more doctors for communities who need them."
"We need more doctors. In particular we need more GPs. That's why we are funding these extra places at medical schools across the country."
"Just to put it in perspective, the number of new medical places we have funded at universities is triple what the last Liberal Government did. In half the time."
