Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP said she was delighted that legislation introduced by the Albanese Government today will help to address the GP shortage facing the South Coast.

The Minister for Education, Jason Clare, today introduced legislation that incentivises doctors and nurse practitioners to live and work in the places that need them the most by wiping or reducing their HECs/HELP debt.

It means that a doctor or nurse practitioner who lives and works in:

• A large, medium or small rural town for a time period equal to the whole length of their course would have their entire HELP debt wiped.
• An eligible place for a period of time equivalent to half the time required is eligible to half the applicable debt reduction.

This legislation means that doctors and nurse practitioners will be incentivised to live and work on the South Coast for a substantial amount of time, helping to take pressure of our struggling health system and address workforce shortages.

“This is great news for the South Coast,” Fiona Phillips said.

“We have been struggling with a GP shortage for far too long, putting our local doctors under real strain and making it harder and more expensive for local people to get primary care when they need it,” she said

The Gilmore MP said local healthcare workers have raised the need to improve incentives for attracting doctors to our towns with her for years, and the Albanese Government has listened.

“Zero HECS debt is a strong incentive for a young graduate to build their career here on the beautiful South Coast."

“Investments in primary health will take pressure off our struggling hospitals, help with the cost of living, and make sure we can get the health care we need, when we need it,” Fiona Phillips said.   

The measures are effective from 1 January 2022 once passed by the Parliament.