ACRRM secures funding to deliver Rural Generalist training to 2030
ACRRM has secured $331.7 million from the Albanese Government to deliver its national training program from now to December 2030.
The funding, announced by Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler MP, provides five years of certainty for the training of Rural Generalist doctors serving rural, remote and First Nations communities across Australia.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says the commitment recognises the College’s central role in training doctors with the skills required to practise safely and confidently in settings where they are most needed.
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“This funding allows ACRRM to continue delivering high-quality training that reflects the realities of rural and remote practice,” Dr Martin says.
Doctors in South Australia issue three-point plan to parties ahead of election
South Australian doctors say South Australia needs an overarching health strategy to ensure every person can access safe, timely care from a qualified health professional, no matter where they live.
Doctors in South Australia are calling on all parties to commit to three clear priorities ahead of the March election: map the state's healthcare gaps, plan the medical workforce properly, and cut red tape that stops doctors working where they're needed.
The SA College Chairs Committee, an alliance of ten medical colleges who together represent the majority of doctors in the state, says while previous reviews have provided valuable insights into specific services or locations, the state lacks a comprehensive health strategy that encompasses all regions, communities and health needs.
Registrar satisfaction strengthens under ACRRM’s College-led training model
ACRRM has achieved its strongest-ever registrar satisfaction results, with the 2025 National Registrar Survey confirming ongoing improvements in training quality, support, and wellbeing under the College-led training model.
The results show that registrar satisfaction has strengthened year-on-year since ACRRM began directly delivering training, with 2025 marking the highest overall satisfaction levels recorded.
ACRRM welcomes the inaugural intake of students at Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) School of Medicine this week, describing it as a landmark step for the Northern Territory’s health workforce.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says that establishing a medical school in the Northern Territory (NT) is a game-changer for building a sustainable, locally trained medical workforce.
Recording now available: Apply with confidence - the ACRRM Fellowship application and interview process
Last Thursday, ACRRM hosted a webinar for prospective Rural Generalists, led by Clinical Lead for Selection, Dr Sarah Chalmers. Watch the recording, as we step you through the ACRRM Selection Criteria and explain what assessors look for at each stage of the Fellowship application process.
Ready to apply? Applications for this intake close on Monday 16 February. Applying early can open up more opportunities, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as you’re ready.
Sponsored: Download the user-friendly LEO Library - Differential Diagnoses A4 cards for diagnosing Scalp and Body Psoriasis
Psoriasis affects 3-4% of the Caucasian population worldwide, with a prevalence of 2.6% in the Australian Caucasian population.1 The most common type is chronic plaque psoriasis, accounting for 80-90% of cases.2
These cards provide essential information and visual aids for accurate diagnosis. You can access it by clicking the download buttons. We believe this resource will enhance your diagnostic toolkit and improve patient care.
References: 1. Cimmino MA. Epidemiology of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Reumatismo. 2007;59 Suppl 1:19-24. 2. Foley P. How to treat: Psoriasis. Australian Doctor. 19 February 2010. Available at: http://www.australiandoctor.com.au. Accessed 10 May 2011.
DVA - Fee Increase
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has updated the fees for medical assessments and reports that determine a veteran's eligibility for benefits, aligning them more closely with comparable fees in other jurisdictions. This represents a substantial increase in the fees payable for these reports since the last official update. Additionally, the fees will be indexed annually on 1 July. You can find more information here and see the updated fee notes here.
DVA - Update Provider Profiles
The Department of Veterans Affairs is urging health providers who accept Veteran Cards to add a comment to their provider's profile in the National Health Services Directory. The Department aims to make it easier for veterans to find practitioners who accept Veteran Cards, ensuring accessible services for those who have served our country.
Follow these steps to update your profile:
To register your health service with the NHSD, first check if there is an existing listing.
If a practice is already registered on Healthdirect, providers can review their existing listing on Service Finder and, if necessary, update details by clicking on ‘Suggest an edit’ and submitting a service update form.
DVA encourages providers to add a comment to the Service Description field. Please use the following wording: We welcome DVA clients. Veteran Cards are accepted as payment for eligible conditions.
2026 GPPTSP applications are now open
The General Practitioner Procedural Training Support Program (GPPTSP) aims to improve access to maternity services for women living in rural and remote communities by helping GP and RG Fellows to gain advanced procedural skills in obstetrics or anaesthetics.
GPPTSP provides $40,000 of Commonwealth funding to complete either:
RANZCOG Associate Advanced Procedural (APTP), or
ANZCA Rural Generalist Anaesthesia (RGA) training program.
The Anaesthetics component is managed by ACRRM and the Obstetrics component of the program is managed by RANZCOG.
Applications for the Anaesthetics component are now open and will close on Friday 24 April 2026.
Trauma care is time-critical, with the goal of minimising the time from injury to definitive care. However, in rural areas, this time is often prolonged due to geography and accessibility. Rural locations also see higher rates of farming, mining, industrial, and motor vehicle accidents, along with increased access to firearms. General Practitioners in these areas are frequently called to manage trauma in its early stages, requiring advanced emergency care skills to stabilise patients until specialist care is available.
Released by the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, the Hon. Bridget Archer MP, the draft outlines the Tasmanian Government’s long-term vision and goals for the state’s health system.
ACRRM is preparing a formal submission in response to the draft. Your insights and experience are vital in shaping a response that reflects the realities of delivering healthcare across Tasmania, particularly in rural and remote communities.
We encourage you to review the draft and provide your feedback to help inform ACRRM’s submission. Provide your feedback to Policy@acrrm.org.au
ACRRM in action
New NT medical student program
The NT Regional Team had the pleasure of hosting a BBQ, accompanied by a presentation from Dr Sarah Chalmers, to welcome the inaugural cohort of medical students commencing their studies in the new CDU/Menzies Medical Program.
With a strong focus on rural generalism, the program represents an important development for the region. It was a privilege for the team to meet and engage with this diverse and inspiring group of students, whose backgrounds range from recent school leavers to a participant in her seventies.
HEART: Wellbeing for rural doctors (20 CPD hours)
HEART is a four-week online course supporting wellbeing and sustainability in rural medical practice.
Combining self-paced learning with live virtual sessions, the course draws on systems theory, human factors and applied psychology to help you better understand the environments that shape rural medicine, strengthen reflective skills, and focus on what you can control and influence in your practice.
You’ll explore professional identity and wellbeing, rural healthcare systems and culture, teamwork and psychological safety, and strategies to manage burnout and compassion fatigue — all with a practical, real-world focus.
Recommended for: Doctors seeking to sustain a fulfilling career in rural medicine. Registrars are particularly encouraged to participate.
ACRRM Tele-Derm service: fast, expert dermatology support for rural and remote doctors
ACRRM’s Tele-Derm service is one of our valued clinical support tools, providing rural and remote doctors with rapid access to expert dermatology advice from Dr Jim Muir, Dr Rachael Foster, and plastic surgeon Dr Dan Kennedy—typically within 48 hours.
With more than 5,700 members and hundreds of cases submitted each year, Tele-Derm supports GPs to manage skin conditions confidently, regardless of location. Members can submit cases 24/7, receive detailed specialist guidance, and access a growing library of over 1,400 educational dermatology cases, as well as recordings of all ACRRM dermatology webinars.
Whether seeking timely clinical advice or building dermatology skills, Tele-Derm remains an invaluable resource tailored to the needs of rural doctors.
ACRRM acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the custodians of the lands and waters where our members and staff work and live across Australia. We pay respect to their elders, lores, customs and Dreaming. We recognise these lands and waters have always been a place of teaching, learning, and healing.
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