The schedule of new incentive payments came into effect yesterday, almost doubling the amount for a GP in a town of less than 5000 people, jumping from $12,000 to $23,000.

Ten local towns - Manilla, Quirindi, Bingara, Uralla, Werris Creek, Barraba, Walcha, Wee Waa, Guyra and Tenterfield - will benefit, with hefty payments for doctors who move or continue to operate in these areas. 

The change is part of an overhaul of the GP rural incentives program by Assistant Minister Fiona Nash, designed to attract doctors to towns with the greatest need. 

The highest incentive now paid to a doctor to work in remote Australia will jump from $47,000 a year to $60,000 a year.

“The maximum incentive to work in a town of less than 5000 in regional Australia will increase from $12,000 to $23,000, while the maximum incentive to work in a town of between 5000 and 15,000 people will increase from $18,000 to $23,000,” Senator Nash said. 

Tamworth GP Michael Killen said the money was promising for smaller rural areas, whose GPs needed expansive education to deal with trauma situations Sydney GPs would not face. 

“We really struggle to get people to come to the more rural areas,” Dr Killen said. 

“There are some major disadvantages to being out in the bush on your own.

“It’s a hugely difficult job and any incentive we give people to attract doctors and help to fund their education is a great idea.”

When the change was announced in May, Tamworth GP Jenny May told The Leader the reforms were a “win” for country doctors, who often provided after-hours and hospital care. 

“It is a win for supporting a scope of practice in rural towns, which is both difficult and time-consuming,” Dr May said.

“The incentives will reward retention. That’s an important thing to be rewarding.”