GP training opportunities

For nearly 100 years, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) has been a beacon of hope for people living in rural and remote Australia. As a Primary Health Care (PHC) Registrar with the RFDS, 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 provides outstanding hands-on training opportunities for GP Registrars committed to rural and remote healthcare, supporting training toward fellowship with both RACGP and ACRRM.

This is not just a job, it’s a mission to deliver life-changing healthcare to some of Australia’s most remote communities.

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 highly desirable
A passion for primary and rural health care
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

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 several locations with administrative support from these bases
Operating hours: your rostered hours could be Monday to Saturday, between 7:00am - 5:00pm (and these can include public holidays)
You can work 16 shifts per month or 4 days per week
Bulk billing or block funded using Medical Director software
The PHC 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.

Senior RFDS PHC 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 PHC

Mandatory online education modules are part of continuous professional development
Study leave is available according to contract terms

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

Training positions available

PHC 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.

To find out more information about this placement please see the below contact details.

GP Registrar – RFDS (Mount Isa) & North West Hospital and Health Service (NWHHS) (Normanton)

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 is a shared placement arrangement in which you are engaged by NWHHS and undertake a period of work with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) in Mount Isa, combined with a placement with NWHHS in one of their community hospitals. The length of time allocated to each component is flexible and may vary depending on service needs.

To find out more information about this placement please contact RFDS recruitment or NWHHS via the details below.

GP Registrar – RFDS (Charleville) & South West Hospital and Health Service (SWHHS) (Cunnamulla)

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.

This is a shared placement arrangement in which you are engaged by SWHHS and undertake a period of work with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) in Charleville, combined with a placement with SWHHS in Cunnamulla. The duration of each component is flexible and may be adjusted according to operational requirements

To find out more information about this placement please contact RFDS recruitment or SWHHS via the details below.

When roles become available you can apply via your training college portal or contact us below.

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

SWHHS Medical Workforce Unit: swhhsmedicalworkforceunit@health.qld.gov.au