A national campaign to attract young doctors and medical students to rural practice is being launched this month with the backing of the Federal Government.

The Go Rural Australia campaign showcases the lifestyle and professional benefits of careers in rural medicine, including access to some of the best training experiences in the country.

It is being run by Rural Health Workforce Australia in partnership with the national network of not-for-profit Rural Workforce Agencies.

“Rural health is a fantastic work-life opportunity and we want to share that message with the future health workforce,” says RHWA CEO Greg Sam.

“There’s also never been a better time to go rural, with Government incentives for students and relocation payments for city doctors.

“The key to this campaign is the involvement of our Rural Workforce Agencies, located in every State and the Northern Territory. They are a one-stop-shop for rural health careers and can help young professionals at every step of their journey.”

Over the next year, the agencies are running a series of Go Rural Australia events including rural skills training, information evenings and regional bus tours.

Sixty medical students have been invited to the Go Rural Australia launch on 30 November, at an event hosted in Sydney by the NSW Rural Doctors Network in association with its annual rural GP conference.

Meanwhile, in the Northern Territory next week, eight medical students will get to experience medicine and skills training in Central Australia as part of a visit organised by NT Health Workforce.

Other campaign partners are Rural Workforce Agency Victoria, Health Workforce Queensland, RDWA in South Australia, Rural Health West in WA, and Health Recruitment Plus-Tasmania.

Go Rural Australia is funded by the Federal Department of Health and Ageing.

Find out more at

 www.rhwa.org.au/gorural

 Media inquiries: Tony Wells, RHWA Communications Manager, 0417 627 916