Working in Remote or Rural Queensland

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Health Professionals and their families working and living in remote or rural Queensland are exposed to a number of both personal and professional advantages. Generally, remote and rural communities provide a lifestyle that can be as relaxed or as extreme as you choose. There is the opportunity to thrive in a unique natural environment, embrace culture, be active, join a miriad of clubs or groups or just enjoy the peace and quiet. You will encounter a great supportive community where connections can be forged, there is even the benefit of a reduction in traffic, less traffic lights and roundabouts and a short commute to work.

The professional benefits of working in a rural and remote area include:

• Greater autonomy and responsibility

• The variety of working in a multidisciplinary team

• A diverse patient mix

• Access to professional development and support networks that will enhance skills and develop leadership

• A range of financial benefits such as rural and remote allowances, subsidies, scholarships and bursaries ​

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Why Queensland?

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Due to its sheer size there is an immense variety of landscapes and climates throughout the state. The interior features deserts, savanna and semi-arid regions and is the birthplace of many important historical moments and archaeological sites.

The Royal Flying Doctor Serviceoriginated in Cloncurry and, as the saying goes, Qantas was conceived in Cloncurry, born in Winton and grew up in Longreach. A popular tourist destination, Longreach is now the home of the Qantas Founders Museumand the Stockman’s Hall of Fameand Outback Heritage Centre, and is serviced by the Spirit of the Outback railway line.

The Queensland Outback is also home to some of the oldest dinosaur tracks remaining on earth, which can be seen at the Dinosaur Stampede National Monument in Winton.

Banjo Patterson’s classic poem Waltzing Matilda was first sung publicly in Winton which is celebrated at the Waltzing Matilda Centre.

The Riversleigh Fossil Fields are one of five existing natural World Heritage areas located in Queensland. It is one of the most significant fossil deposits in the world and situated in Lawn Hill, in the states north-west.

Along the states 6973km of tropical and subtropical coastline there are rainforests, coral reefs, mountain ranges, and sandy beaches, not to mention the worlds three largest sand islands of Fraser, Moreton and North Stradbroke Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef.

Queensland has the third-largest economy in Australia with mining, agriculture, transport, international education, and tourism all strengths.

From Brisbane, the third largest Australian capital city, to Cooladdi, the countries smallest town, and the many wonderful towns dotted throughout the countryside in between, Queensland offers diversity and variety. Each town has its own characters, eccentricities and history and they are waiting to welcome you.

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Home of the Royal Flying Doctors

​The Royal Flying Doctor Service became a reality in Cloncurry in 1928 to service Queensland, expanding across the country some years later. It was founded by Reverend John Flynn who witnessed the struggle of those living far from the cities and the lack of any medical help available. 90 years on they are still an integral part of rural and remote communities.

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Queensland Workforce Innovations in Health

Rural Generalist Pathway (RGP)

The Rural Generalist Pathway (RGP) provides guidance and support to medical officers seeking a career in Rural Generalist Medicine. The pathway was designed to provide attractive, supported training pathways to support and supplement vocational training with Regional Training Providers and the Remote Vocational Training Scheme to the endpoints of Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM) and/or Fellowship of Australian Rural General Practice (FARGP).

For more information visit the Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway (QRGP) Website

Allied health Rural Generalist Pathway

A concept developed within Queensland, the Allied Health Rural Generalist Pathway (AHRGP) has been under development since 2013. The AHRGP is a multi-jurisdictional strategy, a concept which is being developed through the advancement of a collaboration between partners from the health and education sector from across Australia.

For more information on the ARGP framework visit: Allied Health Rural Generalist Education Framework.

A Nursing Rural Generalist Pathway is in the development phase.

Statewide Rural and Remote Clinical Network (SRRCN)

The Statewide Rural and Remote Clinical Network (SRRCN) was established in 2012 to provide an opportunity for clinicians and network members to engage in planning and priority setting, and to guide the effective and safe delivery of rural and remote healthcare services. Find out more here

Office of Rural and Remote Health (ORRH)

The establishment of the Office of Rural and Remote Health was announced in November 2019 by the previous Health Minister, the Honourable Steven Miles. The ORRH's purpose is to drive rural and remote health planning, ensure improved access, patient quality and safety, workforce planning and reporting on health outcomes for Queensland remote and rural communities.

​For more information about what Queensland has to offer visit the Queensland Government website.