Portfolio — 19 March 2026

The Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Rebecca White, announced a national investment exceeding $1 billion to deliver more doctors to communities across Australia, with Tasmania allocated 74 GP training places for the 2026 intake [TA-260320-health-6e1cf40778ea]. The announcement centres on measurable workforce outcomes — filled training places, registrar retention, and application oversubscription — positioning the Single Employer Model as a structural mechanism for long-term rural and regional primary care access.

**GP Training Expansion**

Tasmania has filled 72 of its 74 allocated 2026 training places, a 16 per cent increase over the 62 places secured in 2025 [TA-260320-health-6e1cf40778ea]. The increase is underpinned by new five-year grant agreements with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, providing funding certainty through the training pipeline [TA-260320-health-6e1cf40778ea].

**Single Employer Model Trial**

The Assistant Minister highlighted the Tasmanian Single Employer Model trial as a standout result, with 30 applications received for three 2026 positions and all 27 registrars retained to date [TA-260320-health-6e1cf40778ea]. The trial has also established training partnerships with Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Services, broadening the pipeline into First Nations primary care [TA-260320-health-6e1cf40778ea].

**Portfolio Framing**

The portfolio frames the expansion of GP training and the Single Employer Model as structural mechanisms to secure long-term workforce stability and improve access to primary care in rural and regional communities [TA-260320-health-6e1cf40778ea]. The five-year grant agreements with both colleges are designed to sustain the training pipeline through the decade.