HECS debt up to $100,000 waived, incentives offered for graduate GPs to come to Tasmania

The government says the incentives would apply over a five year period, to ensure the GPs stayed in Tasmania's regional and rural areas for at least that duration. (Flickr: Alex Proimos)

Up to 40 graduate GPs are set to have $100,000 of their HECS debt covered, or be provided with a relocation incentive, as the Tasmanian Liberal government makes good on an election promise.

During this year's election campaign, the party pledged to cover the HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) debt up to $100,000 for 40 GPs, in a bid to tackle the low rate of medical students specialising in the field.

It's an issue particularly felt in Tasmania's regional and rural communities, with multiple practices having shut their doors, or risked closing, in recent years.

Health minister Guy Barnett said the "incentive package" would complement the federal government's commitment to cover the HECS debt for doctors working in eligible remote and rural areas.

"We are a rural and regional state, we're decentralised, and those 40 extra GPs will mean better and more healthcare services for the Tasmanians that deserve it," he said.

Mr Barnett said the incentives would apply over a five year period, to ensure the medical professionals stayed in Tasmania's regional and rural areas for at least that duration.

The particulars of the incentive, including the specific areas it will apply to and how to apply, are due to be released by the start of August.

Incentive puts Tasmania 'on the front foot', association says

The president of Tasmania's Rural Doctors Association, Ben Dodds, said he was "really pleased" by the incentive.

"It's a really significant amount of money," Dr Dodds said.

"And the flexibility of it beings HECS related or also a rural and remote relocation or incentive allowance is really important.

"It's about being flexible to what the needs of that particular young GP might be, whether it's moving with a family, buying a house for the first time, or eliminating their remaining HECS debt."

Dr Dodds said with GP shortages an issue right across the country, it was important that Tasmania's offer got attention.

"We've seen states like Victoria and Queensland start to announce incentive payments for GPs and training and we need to be on the front foot here to match and exceed those," Dr Dodds said.

"In this particular election commitment we will exceed the amount of funding that's available for GPs.

"It means getting junior doctors and more experienced GPs working in Tasmania so they can supervise the next generation of GPs that come from Tasmania, and want to train [here]."

It was a view shared by Deloraine GP and practice owner Aaron Hawkins.

He said incentives such as this fed into changing the narrative around specialising in general practice, which was currently facing a lot of "negativity".

"That's a big picture change that needs to happen," Dr Hawkins said.

"Breaking down some of these barriers with incentives like these is a step in the right direction that'll change the perception for the junior doctors, which in the long term will boost our GP workforce, which then makes the job more fulfilling, more sustainable."

Part of 'three pronged approach', says minister

Asked how the GP incentives would assist with the viability of general practices, Mr Barnett said it was one part of a "three-pronged approach" the government was taking to assist general practice.

He said the other focuses included $250,000 grants for GP practices to become more sustainable, and the standing up of a GP rapid response team, to assist "where there's thin and failing markets".

He said these two initiatives were both "set to begin shortly".

The update on the HECS promise came on the day the government released the implementation plan for its Long-Term Plan for Healthcare in Tasmania.

Mr Barnett said the plan provided a "blueprint of how the Tasmanian government will work in partnership with the Tasmanian community" in its delivery of a "world class, innovative and integrated health system".

He said key initiatives already achieved included the establishment of urgent care clinics and the Tasmanian Rural and Remote Clinical Network, with priorities over the next two years including "providing more access to after-hours primary care" and "making healthcare easier to access through virtual care hubs".

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