RACGP President Dr Michael Wright is visiting the Northern Territory this week, and with RACGP NT Chair Dr Sam Heard, will meet with local GPs, health services and community leaders and the opening of new Congress health facility in Alice Springs, as the Territory continues to face significant pressures on its general practice workforce and access to care.
The visit comes at a critical time for general practice in the NT, with workforce shortages, the sustainability of private practices in remote regions, and the essential role of GPs in disaster response all under strain. It also coincides with the Federal Government's Single Employer Model (SEM) announcement that will support up to 24 full-time equivalent rural generalist trainees.
"It's encouraging to see a clear focus on getting more GPs into the Northern Territory through the SEM announcement, and any measures that support recruitment into the NT is welcome," Dr Wright said.
"However, addressing GP shortages in the Territory will require sustained, long‑term action, including investment in training capacity, supervision and the viability of practices, if we are to build a workforce that is stable and fit for the future. That means more supervisors, more training posts, and the right supports to make teaching sustainable for practices."
RACGP workforce modelling shows that without action, GP shortages will continue to worsen.
"The struggle is real. While RACGP is pleased to have filled all AGPT training places in the Northern Territory for 2026, years of workforce shortages mean we now need to rebuild training capacity."
There is no shortcut to fixing GP shortages," Dr Wright said.
"Expanding nursing roles and increasing scope of practice for allied health professionals will not solve the problem. Without enough GPs, more people end up being referred to emergency departments, which is the most expensive and least appropriate part of the system for ongoing care."
Dr Heard said the ongoing loss of private general practices in remote and regional NT communities highlights the urgent need for reform to support sustainable primary care models.
"The Medicare bulk billing model on its own simply does not stack up in remote regions," Dr Heard said.
"We are seeing the real-world consequences of this. Nhulunbuy in East Arnhem Land has just lost its private general practice, Tennant Creek has lost its last private GP clinic, and Katherine is struggling to keep a single private practice operating.
"When private general practice disappears, the liveability of these towns suffers. People lose continuity of care, pressure shifts to already stretched hospitals, and communities become less attractive places to live and work."
The RACGP is calling for targeted funding and flexible models that recognise the higher costs and complexity of delivering care in remote settings.
Dr Wright said recent flooding across the NT has reinforced the critical role of GPs as an essential service during disasters.
Flooding has affected Alice Springs, Katherine and remote communities including Daly River (Nauiyu) and Palumpa, with many residents displaced. During his visit, Dr Wright will see the evacuation centre in Batchelor, where people are currently living while homes and communities are restored.
"In the Northern Territory, the health impacts of climate change are felt most acutely by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, particularly in remote areas where extreme heat, flooding and environmental disruption directly affect health, housing and access to care," he said.
That's why the RACGP's National Guide includes a dedicated focus on the health impacts of climate change, to support GPs delivering culturally safe, evidence‑based care in NT communities facing these growing challenges.
"GPs who know their communities, understand people's health needs, and are invested in those communities are absolutely critical to disaster preparation, response and recovery.
"They provide continuity of care, manage chronic disease, support mental health, and help keep people out of hospital at a time when health systems are under extreme pressure."
Dr Wright acknowledged the efforts of NT GPs who have stepped up to provide care during the floods.
"I want to acknowledge and thank our members who have gone above and beyond to support their communities in extraordinarily challenging circumstances," he said. "Their work is essential, and it deserves recognition as such."
"Ensuring specialist GPs are included in Regional Disaster Management Committees will better integrate frontline primary care expertise into emergency planning, enhance community-level preparedness and support effective, coordinated emergency services responses"
