Become an RFDS Medical Officer - Primary Health Care
Enrich your career by nurturing our communities with care and compassion.
The RFDS is deeply integrated in rural and remote Queensland, providing essential fly-in-fly-out General Practitioner (GP) services to a number of North West, Central West and Far North communities from our traditional bases, these being Mount Isa, Charleville and Cairns. In many of these areas, the RFDS performs the role of the local doctor, offering consistent, life-spanning healthcare to individuals and families.
Your role will offer a wide scope of practice with both chronic and acute presentations. This will provide you with the chance to thrive in a dynamic environment, supported by a network of aeromedical and telehealth medical officers, nurses and mental health workers, empowering you to deliver comprehensive patient care.
If you are looking for a career with the RFDS (Queensland Section), we offer full-time, part-time, fly-in fly-out and live-in opportunities.
What does it take to be a RFDS Medical Officer - Primary Health Care?
- Registration with AHPRA as a Medical Practitioner
- Registrar or Fellow of the RACGP or ACRRM
- 3-5 years of post-graduate experience in primary care
- Paediatrics and basic obstetric experience
- Ability to meet Medical Officer–PHC credentialing requirements
- Previous experience in rural and remote health delivery, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare, and emergency medicine.
Benefits of working for the RFDS
- Competitive salary with additional contributions to superannuation
- Live in remote area allowance - Charleville and Mount Isa Bases: up to $53,000
- Relocation assistance for those choosing to move and live in Cairns, Charleville, or Mount Isa
- Six weeks annual leave per annum
- Not-for-profit salary packaging for tax-free benefits up to $18,550
- Additional paid travel and administration time
- Medical Indemnity Insurance rebate
- Professional development allowance of $10,000 pro rata
- Participation in a comprehensive and supportive orientation, training, and education programs
- Flights and Accommodation + FIFO allowances - Charleville and Mount Isa Bases: $25,000 pro rata
Training and Development
For nearly 100 years, the RFDS has been a beacon of hope for people living in rural and remote Australia. As a Primary Care Registrar with the RFDS (Queensland Section), you’ll be at the forefront of providing essential medical care, working in some of the most unique and breathtaking locations in the world. This role is more than just a stepping stone in your career; it’s an opportunity to make an enduring impact on the lives of those who need it most.
The RFDS is deeply integrated in rural and remote Queensland, providing essential fly-in-fly-out General Practitioner (GP) services to rural and remote Queenslanders. In these areas, the RFDS doctor provides the only consistent, life-spanning GP service to individuals and families.
The RFDS (Queensland Section) provides outstanding hands-on training opportunities for GP Registrars committed to rural and remote healthcare, supporting training toward Fellowship with both RACGP and ACRRM.
We invite passionate and adventurous doctors to join our team as a Primary Care Registrar. This is not just a job - it’s a mission to deliver life-changing healthcare to some of Australia’s most remote and underserved communities.
What does it take to be a Primary Care Registrar with the RFDS (Queensland Section)?
- A passion for primary care and rural health.
- A desire to grow your skills and make an impact in a unique and fulfilling role.
- Willingness to embrace the challenges and rewards of working in remote settings.
- Ability to be a team player with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Registration with AHPRA as a Medical Practitioner.
- On a training pathway to Fellowship of the RACGP or ACRRM colleges.
- Previous experience in community General Practice (6 months minimum), paediatrics, obstetrics, and emergency medicine is required.
Practice Environment
- Registrars will work and live-in either Mount Isa, Charleville or Cairns.
- From their base, they travel to remote clinics to deliver primary care services.
- Rotations typically include 3–4 days of face-to-face clinical work and 1–2 days at the base for administration and telehealth follow-ups.
- General practice care is provided across MM 6–7 locations with administrative support from these bases.
- Operating hours: Monday to Saturday, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (including public holidays).
- Medical officer roster full time = 4 x 10-hour days per week
- Bulk billing or block funded using Medical Director software.
- The Primary Health team includes a Practice Manager, Practice co-ordinators, Doctors, Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners. We work closely with our Aeromedical retrieval, Mental health and Dental teams when needed.
Education & Supervision
- Senior RFDS Primary Health Care Medical Officers provide onsite teaching and support.
- Further supervision is provided by the Medical Education Lead and State or Base Leads through a remote or off-site model.
- Training is supported through, Base leads, and onsite Medical Officers (MOs), as well as scheduled teaching by the Medical Education Lead, aligned with AGPT standards.
- Registrars participate in regular educational meetings:
- Base meetings (weekly or monthly) for clinical and practice discussions.
- Monthly statewide meetings including SPECC (Statewide Primary Education and Clinical Cases), STEM (Statewide Telehealth Education Meeting), and SAM (Statewide Aeromedical Meeting).
- All day workshops focusing on Primary Health Care.
- Mandatory online education modules are part of continuous professional development.
- Study leave is available according to contract terms.
Skill Development Opportunities
Registrars develop expertise across diverse clinical areas including:
- Aboriginal Health
- Counselling
- ENT
- Geriatrics
- Minor Surgery
- Adolescent Health
- Disability
- Men’s and Women’s Health
- Mental Health
- Obstetrics
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatrics
- Sexual Health
- Skin Cancer / Dermatology
- Palliative Care
- Emergency Medicine
- Lifestyle Medicine
Registrar Positions Available
GP Registrar – RFDS Cairns & Far North Queensland:
The RFDS Cairns base is the largest and one of the longest-serving bases in the RFDS network. This base provides services into the Cape York region of Queensland. This position is offered as an RFDS employee.
This role is accredited for Core Generalist Primary Care and Rural and Remote training for ACRRM and for Extended Skills Training with RACGP.
GP Registrar – RFDS (Mount Isa) & North West Hospital and Health Service (NWHHS):
The RFDS Mount Isa Base services people living, working and travelling from the Gulf of Carpentaria in the North, the Northern Territory border in the West, Hughenden in the East and Bedourie in the South.
This position is based on the Single Employer Model, and you will be employed by NWHHS. You will be working 0.5FTE with RFDS and 0.5FTE with NWHHS in one of their community hospitals.
To apply and see more information about this shared placement click here
Additional opportunities will be coming soon.
Further Enquiries: RFDS Recruitment: recruitment@rfdsqld.com.au
RFDS Medical Education Lead CYates@rfdsqld.com.au
NWHHS Medical Workforce Unit: nwhhsmedicalworkforceunit@health.qld.gov.au
How to Apply:
Via the ACRRM trainee portal
Via the RACGP trainee portal
Directly through RFDS or NWHHS where applicable
Where you could work
You will be located at one of the following bases. From these bases, you will fly out to work in remote communities at our primary health care clinics.
Mount Isa Base
The RFDS Mount Isa Base services people living, working and travelling from the Gulf of Carpentaria in the north, the Northern Territory border in the west, Hughenden in the east and Bedourie in the south.
The team provides services including remote medical consultations, aeromedical retrievals and primary health care clinics incorporating general practice, child and family health, Indigenous health, mental health and health promotion.
Cairns Base
The RFDS Cairns Base is the largest and one of the longest-serving bases in the RFDS network. This base provides services into the Cape York region of Queensland.
Services provided from this Base include remote medical consultations, aeromedical retrievals and primary health care clinics incorporating general practice, child and family health, Indigenous health, mental health, women's health and health promotion.
Charleville Base
The RFDS Charleville Base services approximately 622,000 square kilometres of southwest Queensland extending from the New South Wales border to the Northern Territory and South Australia borders in the west, and the Carnarvon Ranges in the east.
Services provided from this base include medical chests, remote medical consultations, aeromedical retrievals, and primary health care clinics incorporating general practice, child and family health and field days.
Apply now
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