There will be 48 new places in 2027, with a focus on producing more GPs.
Labor has promised a new medical school at the Queensland University of Technology, focused on producing GPs, if it is re-elected to government on 3 May.
“More medical students studying and graduating in Brisbane and Queensland means more doctors living and working in the state – and particularly in general practice,” said federal minister for health Mark Butler.
From 2027, QUT will offer 48 new places for medical students to start a medical degree each year, subject to Australian Medical Council accreditation.
QUT will convert a number of its existing non-medical Commonwealth-supported places into medical CSPs, ensuring this does not impact other national priority or skill shortage areas such as health and teaching.
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The new medical school will have an emphasis on primary health care to encourage more medical graduates to become GPs.
General Practice Registrars Australia has welcomed the announcement, stating that it falls in line with the group’s ambitions of ensuring more medical training.
“More Australian-trained doctors will improve access to care for patients, particularly in high- demand areas such as general practice,” said GPRA president Dr Chris Dickie.
“The introduction of another undergraduate medical degree offers students greater choice in how they enter the medical profession. A direct-entry undergraduate pathway provides a streamlined, accessible, and cost-effective option for aspiring doctors.”
The GPRA has also lauded the emphasis on GP training as part of the announcement.
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“GPRA looks forward to working with QUT to ensure medical students have the support and guidance needed to consider general practice as a career,” said Dr Dickie.
“Collaboration between medical schools, professional bodies, and student networks is key to fostering the next generation of GPs.”
According to Mr Butler’s announcement, the medical school is fully funded in the 2025-26 budget delivered last Tuesday and is in addition to the $617 million already announced for training more doctors and nurses.
“As part of this broader investment, we’ll deliver an extra 100 medical CSPs each year from 2026, increasing to 150 per year by 2028,” said the Labor Party announcement.
“The government will hold a competitive grant round for universities to apply for these medical CSPs later in 2025, with a focus on proposals that build the primary health care workforce.”
Treasurer Jim Chalmers, a Queenslander, said he was proud to have “found room” for the medical school in the budget.
“The new QUT medical school will give Queensland’s next generation of GPs on-the-job training in the areas we need them most,” he said.
“This election is a referendum on Medicare.
“The choice is between Labor that will strengthen Medicare and invest in healthcare and cost-of-living relief or the Liberals who are all about cuts.”
This announcement comes recently after PM Albanese and SA Premier Peter Malinauskas announced a $150 million pledge to the Flinders University healthcare hub.
These announcements have come as a series of commitments across the country focusing on commitments to invest in public healthcare.
