Rural Doctors Association Australia

09/01/2026

Dr Noah Pallot a Vic based doctor in training on the rural generalist pathway features on our next episode in our podcast series. You can listen here https://www.buzzsprout.com/1833444/episodes/18465327
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) RWAV - Rural Workforce Agency Victoria

Dr Noah Pallot represents the next generation of Rural Generalists. With a rural upbringing, rural medical school and rural junior doctor training, Noah is the textbook example of the pipeline working — and is now stepping onto the ACRRM Rural Gen...

09/01/2026

Rural Practice Owners Conference kicks off at the Gold Coast in 8 weeks!!! Time to register https://bit.ly/RuralPracticeOwners2026

07/01/2026

Can you handle the heat?

As temperatures rise across much of Australia, rural doctors are reminding holidaymakers that rural heat is no joke — especially when camping, road-tripping or spending long days outdoors.

Heat stress can creep up fast, particularly if you’re dehydrated, active or unfamiliar with rural conditions. A few simple precautions can make all the difference.

Read more: https://bit.ly/49pwvjI

As we head into a heat wave today across many parts of Australia, the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) is urging everyone to take the risks of heat stress seriously — particularly when camping, travelling long distances or spending extended time outdoors. 

21/12/2025

Kicking off our latest podcast series with RDAA's very own Olivia Dalton, who has just completed her third year of ANU medical school based in Cooma. This series we are chatting with individuals in different stages of their rural or remote medical journey.
Listen now https://destinationrural.buzzsprout.com

19/12/2025

RDAA Annual Roundup 25
By Rural Docs. For Rural Docs.

From major policy wins and workforce reform to powerful stories from the bush, the RDAA Annual Roundup 2025 captures a year that mattered for rural doctors and the communities they serve.

Inside, you’ll find highlights from , national advocacy efforts, state reports, award winners, and the issues shaping the future of rural medicine — all in one place.

If you’re part of rural medicine, this is your story!

Read it here:

From major policy wins and workforce reform to powerful stories from the bush, the RDAA Annual Roundup 2025 captures a year that mattered for rural doctors and the communities they serve. Inside, you’ll find highlights from , national advocacy efforts, state reports, award winners, and the ...

18/12/2025

Good news for rural patients and communities!

MYEFO includes new Medicare recognition for ECG interpretation by rural GPs and Rural Generalists, reflecting the reality of urgent decision-making in rural practice.

It also extends funding for key rural workforce programs, including the Workforce Incentive Program – Rural Advanced Skills (WIP-RAS) and emergency stream — providing welcome certainty for rural services and the doctors who support them.

RDAA will continue advocating to see these incentives embedded long-term to support sustainable rural healthcare.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3YBvWOU

Rural doctors have received an early Christmas boost in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO), with new Medicare recognition for ECG interpretation and extended funding for key rural workforce programs — outcomes strongly welcomed by the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA).

17/12/2025

Wishing everyone the best for the festive season. Only 7 more sleeps until Santa is here.....Just a quick reminder that the RDAA office will be closed from 19/12/2025 and reopen on 5/01/2026. For urgent matters please email ceo@rdaa.com.au

To all the health care professionals that are working over the holidays, giving up time with family and friends to care for our communities - A huge thankyou!

16/12/2025

⚠️ Our last Awards podcast for 2025 has dropped! ⚠️

This one features Dr Cheryl McIntyre, RDAA's Rural Doctor of the Year - an Award again supported in 2025 by the Rural Doctors Foundation. 🤩

Cheryl has served the people of Inverell and region as a Rural Generalist Obstetrician for more than 25 years.

With a deep commitment to medical education, she is a Senior Lecturer in General Practice at the University of New England and plays a pivotal role in training and supervising medical students, junior doctors and GP registrars at her practice and the local hospital.

This has included being one of the key drivers behind an innovative program bringing medical students to Inverell and nearby towns for six month placements, as well as being a strong local facilitator of a NSW Rural Doctors Network program bringing city-based medical students to rural locations to enable them to experience rural practice.

And if she hadn’t chosen a career in Rural Medicine, Cheryl may have become a…? We'll let you find out as you listen to the podcast! 😎

Listen via YouTube:
https://bit.ly/4iWJYE5

Listen via Buzzsprout:
https://bit.ly/3L5qTDf

Rural Doctors' Association of NSW Rural Doctors Foundation University of New England, AU Rural Doctors Network - RDN Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network NSW Health Hunter New England Local Health District Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) RACGP Royal Aust & NZ College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists RANZCOG

27/11/2025

Things are finally moving on Rural Generalist Medicine, young doctors are seeing what a great career it can provide & more of them are flocking to be a part of it.

Now is not the time to withdraw any investment in Rural Generalism... We urge the Federal Government to continue funding for the WIP RAS initiative & RG Coordination Units!

Read more:

The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) is urging the Federal Government to extend funding for key measures that are supporting the growth in popularity of Rural Generalist Medicine in Australia, and delivering much-needed Rural Generalist doctors to rural and remote communities.

20/11/2025

The combination of high UV exposure in rural life, an ageing population with accumulated sun damage, and fewer skin-cancer checks and specialists creates a “perfect storm” in the bush.

We need targeted investment in rural skin-health models: enhanced GP dermatology up-skilling, tele-dermatology links, and early-detection campaigns that reach rural workplaces, farms and remote communities.

Read more:

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer, and during National Skin Cancer Action Week (16–22 November 2025) rural doctors are highlighting the urgent access and treatment challenges faced by rural and remote patients.

18/11/2025

RDAA's Commonwealth Financial Support Calculator has been updated for 2026 GP Training incentives & increased rates. We have also taken the opportunity to make it even easier to use - check it out https://bit.ly/43RdqUM

You don't need to be an RDA member to access the tool, but if you are a first time visitor you will need to create an account.

Thanks to Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) & Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing for your support of our calculator.

14/11/2025

RDAA President Dr Sarah Chalmers & Chair of RACGP’s Rural Council Dr Michael Clements’ announced our joint bursary to support 10 medical students undertake a placement in rural general practice at GP25