Imagine yourself living in a city with a perfect career placement as a general practitioner and enjoying the quality of life at the same time! Then one of your best selections should be Canberra, Australia. There is no region better than a city, with fewer urban implications and hints of a rural landscape, and Canberra might be the best example to present. Everything you need to settle in is just a few minutes away, because restaurants, breweries, amusement parks, museums, galleries, valleys, and mountains are all in one place.

 Even though the setting is the best possible way to move in, does Canberra have leading opportunities for general practitioners? Well, let’s find out in this article.

What are the Job Options?

Healthcare professions in Canberra seem to be efficiently progressing as a result of the increasing population and the enhancements to the healthcare system. Another popping-up health issue is chronic illnesses spreading among the population due to the practice of various risky behaviours. Added to that, the RACGP’s Health of the Nation report in 2023 has predicted that among the current GP population in the country, 29 percent of practitioners will be retiring from their positions within the next five years, effecting a great demand for GPs all over Australia, especially Canberra.  

Prime Opportunities for Your Career Growth

Canberra is known for providing leading prospects through its healthcare workforce and its availability for career advancement through educational, research, and advocacy training programmes conducted by various health enforcement institutes. For example, the teaching and research opportunities implemented by the ACT Physicians Training Network associated with Australian National University (ANU) allow you to engage in formal tutoring, examining, or teaching junior practitioners. If you are interested in the research field, there are diverse opportunities, from departmental-based to major-scale studies, with the contribution of the John Curtin School of Medical Research.

Quality of Life in the Capital of Australia

When we discuss why being a general practitioner in Canberra is worthy, we definitely should talk about the standard of living there. It is safe to say Canberra is a centrally located, friendly city lying in an urban setting and gifted with natural beauty.  If you are planning to move in with your family, say no more! Academic institutions, outdoor sports, hiking trails, national parks, easy parking, and a low crime rate might be the best family-friendly home for you. 

GP Salary Rates for 2024 

As a GP in Australia, your income depends on factors like the number of patients seen per hour, billing type, billing percentage, total number of work hours, and the engagement type (locum or permanent). In 2018, Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life (MABEL) conducted the latest survey on the income proportions of GPs all over Australia, and it was stated that the regional annual base income of a general practitioner would be around $193,430. Currently, in 2023, the average hourly rate is likely to be around $150-170.

The Interaction between Sydney and Canberra

Canberra is connected to its neighbouring capitals of Melbourne and Sydney with inter-city routes. The Federal Royal Commission in Australia named Canberra as the capital because of the advantage of inter-communication between the main cities, as it was situated between them. So, when you feel like you need to break free from the busy life of a GP, you can visit Sydney or Melbourne with just a quick drive or a flight. And if you need to travel between Sydney and Melbourne for academic, research, or clinic-based concerns, Canberra might be your ideal coordinator. 

As a primary care physician or a family doctor, a GP’s position can be challenging in accordance with various factors.  It can be based on whether your field is medicine, paediatrics, or geriatrics, whether you are practicing at a hospital, private clinic, or government health centre, your work balance on weekdays and weekends, and your engagement type as part-time or full-time. Added to these factors, your capacity to handle stress, your work/life balance, and the essence of satisfaction you gain at the end of the day from your chosen career path can determine where you stand as a healthcare professional general practitioner. 

 Thinking of how to land a healthcare occupation in Canberra as a GP? We might be able to place you in an enhanced GP career opportunity in Canberra. Visit us to find out what’s best for you!

Our Medfuture team is capable of linking all the possible matches and job placements according to your favourite destination. Because here at Medfuture, we prioritise not only your professional advancement but also your personal achievements. Want to know the best available GP options in Canberra?