Not to be outdone by the feds, the Palaszczuk government is offering frontline health workers up to $70,000 to head north.
Doctors who make the move to regional or remote Queensland will be offered a financial bonus of up to $70,000 in a new incentive scheme announced by the Palaszczuk government.
Health workers who work interstate will receive payments of up to $20,000 if they make the decision to work for Queensland Health, as part of the new Workforce Attraction Incentive Transfer Scheme. Doctors who make the decision to take up a job in regional and remote Queensland will be paid up to an additional $70,000.
Interstate and international healthcare workers who move into Queensland (including Brisbane) will receive a $10,000 incentive on commencement and a further $10,000 after completing a full 12 months of service in Queensland.
Healthcare workers eligible for this incentive are medical doctors and specialists, nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce, dentists, oral health practitioners, and scientific officers.
Medical practitioners who start in a rural or remote (MM4-7) location will receive $25,000 after three months and a further $25,000 after 12 months. This payment is available to medical practitioners already working in Queensland.
Applicants can take their pick from one of more than 2400 communities including Bowen, Torres Strait, Mareeba, Atherton, Emerald, Longreach, Charleville, Blackall, Roma, Mount Isa and Cloncurry.
Interstate and international medical practitioners will be eligible for both payments and stand to benefit by an additional $70,000 if they move to Queensland.
“We knew we had to think outside the square to lure doctors here as opposed to other parts of the country, innovative policies like this means every dollar works hard for Queenslanders delivering the right care at the right time, in the right place,” Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said.
“Every Queenslander deserves quality, world-class healthcare no matter where they live.
“It really is a win-win, more quality healthcare workers in our unique regional and remote communities, more efficient use of resources and a great career memories to be made.
“We welcome healthcare workers to experience why we all love Queensland while also making a new life delivering positive results and peace of mind for our regional and remote communities.”
