Making a difference to the health of communities in northern Queensland
The health needs of communities in rural, regional and remote areas of northern Queensland are currently underserved. As part of an Australian Government Initiative, we aim to address these shortages of GPs and specialists through having an integrated pipeline of medical training across the training continuum that provides a high quality, self-sustaining medical workforce that is responsive to the health needs of northern Queensland. Find out more about how we are making a difference.
Supporting medical training from intern to fellow in northern Queensland
Are you a medical student, junior doctor or hospital medical officer who is considering your training options? We can help you find a way to train as a GP or specialist in regional Queensland. There are plenty of opportunities available to train in northern Queensland from intern to registrar.
Map out your medical career and explore our interactive GUIDE
1,378 training opportunities for doctors, from intern to registrar
Find Out MoreA vivid and diverse mix of people and landscapes
Find Out MoreWhy should I train in northern Queensland?
Find Out MoreDiscover your medical career in northern Queensland
Discover your medical career in northern Queensland
00 opportunities in northern Queensland
00 Intern opportunities
00 Principal House Officer PHO (PGY4+) opportunities in
00 accredited training positions in
00 Junior Doctor (PGY2/PGY3) opportunities in
Atherton Hospital
Atherton Hospital's services include accident and emergency, general surgical and medical, aged care, low-risk maternity. There are diverse outpatient clinics, visiting specialist clinics and outreach services are available.
Find out more about available positions at Atherton Hospital.
Graduating medical students who are interested in completing a rotation at Atherton Hospital should apply to be an intern at Cairns Hospital via the annual Queensland Health Intern Campaign. Trainees are then able to nominate their interest in completing a Country Practice rotation to Atherton Hospital. Find out how to apply to be an intern at the Cairns Hospital. Discover more about intern rotation options and support available to interns.
Junior Doctors wanting to complete a Queensland Country Junior Doctor Rural Generalist Term should first nominate The Townsville Hospital under the Junior Doctor/RMO campaign. Junior Doctors will be asked to nominate line allocations and can nominate the 10/12 week Rural Generalist placement. These placements provide Junior Doctors with practical experience in rural medicine as well as daily hospital rounds, ED triage and after-hours on call. Doctors will be provided with appropriate Medicare provider numbers to undertake patient clinics and training to use Medical Director software and billing.
Ayr Hospital
Ayr Hospital provides inpatient, outpatient, emergency, surgical and maternity services. Ayr Hospital has recently completed a $2.48 million upgrade allowing for further clinical services to be offered and improve customer care. Community services include youth and child health support and mental health services. Visiting outreach services include endoscopy, general surgery, respiratory medicine and paediatrics. Telehealth services are also available.
Find out more about available PHO positions at Ayr Hospital.
Junior Doctors wanting to complete a Queensland Country Junior Doctor Rural Generalist Term should first nominate The Townsville Hospital under the Junior Doctor/RMO campaign. Junior Doctors will be asked to nominate line allocations and can nominate the 10/12 week Rural Generalist placement. These placements provide Junior Doctors with practical experience in rural medicine as well as daily hospital rounds, ED triage and after-hours on call. Doctors will be provided with appropriate Medicare provider numbers to undertake patient clinics and training to use Medical Director software and billing.
Bowen Hospital
Bowen Hospital provides 24-hour Emergency Department, Acute primary care clinic, fixed-wing airport and helipad on site, general acute care beds for adult and paediatric, oncology services for day patients and palliative care. There are diverse clinics, visiting services and home and community care services available.
Find out more about available PHO positions at Bowen Hospital.
Graduating medical students who are interested in completing a rotation at Bowen Hospital should apply to be an intern at Mackay Base Hospital via the annual Queensland Health Intern Campaign. Trainees are then able to nominate their interest in completing a Country Practice rotation to Bowen Hospital. Find out how to apply to be an intern at the Mackay Base Hospital. Discover more about intern rotation options and support available to interns.
Junior Doctors wanting to complete Rural Placement Term should first nominate the Mackay Base Hospital under the Junior Doctor/RMO campaign. Junior Doctors will be asked to nominate line allocations and can nominate the 10/12 week rural placement. These placements provide Junior Doctors with practical experience in rural medicine as well as daily hospital rounds, ED triage and after-hours on call. Doctors will be provided with appropriate Medicare provider numbers to undertake patient clinics and training to use Medical Director software and billing.
Cairns Hospital
Cairns Hospital is a large public hospital working closely with James Cook University. Over the past 2 years, expansion within the hospital has included opening a new Birth Centre in 2017, a new Hybrid Theatre and Cath Lab in 2018, a new adolescent ward, increased urology services, an expanded intensive care unit and increased cancer care services. Cairns Hospital offers acute care, accident and emergency care, aged cared, Alcohol, tobacco and other drug services, Cardiac services, child and youth health, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Rehabilitation, Special Care Baby unit and general surgery. There is a large number of clinics available as well as outreach services, specialist services, community services and allied public health services.
Find out more about available PHO positions at the Cairns Hospital.
Graduating medical students have the option to apply to work at the Cairns Hospital as an intern via the annual Queensland Health intern campaign. Find out how to apply to be an intern at the Cairns Hospital. Discover more about intern rotation options and support available to interns.
Find out more about specialty training at the Cairns Hospital.
Find out more about Junior Doctor rotation options and education and training opportunities at the Cairns Hospital. Rural placement locations include Cooktown Hospital, Thursday Island Hospital and Mareeba Hospital.
Charters Towers Hospital
Charters Towers Hospital is an acute primary care clinic providing outpatient services and ambulatory care to the community. Outreach services include cardiology, orthopaedics, endoscopy, respiratory medicine and paediatrics. Telehealth services are available and a recent $3 million upgrade to infrastructure is providing enhanced clinical services.
Find out more about available PHO positions at Charters Towers Hospital.
Graduating medical students who are interested in completing a rotation at Charters Towers Health Service should apply to be an intern at The Townsville Hospital via the annual Queensland Health Intern Campaign. Trainees are then able to nominate their interest in completing a Country Practice rotation and/or an Emergency Medicine Rotation to Charters Towers Health Service. Find out more about how to apply to be an intern at The Townsville Hospital. Discover more about intern rotation options and support available to interns.
Junior Doctors wanting to complete a Queensland Country Junior Doctor Rural Generalist Term should first nominate The Townsville Hospital under the Junior Doctor/RMO campaign. Junior Doctors will be asked to nominate line allocations and can nominate the 10/12 week Rural Generalist placement. These placements provide Junior Doctors with practical experience in rural medicine as well as daily hospital rounds, ED triage and afterhours on call. Doctors will be provided with appropriate Medicare provider numbers to undertake patient clinics and training to use Medical Director software and billing.
Ingham Hospital
Ingham Hospital provides inpatient, outpatient, emergency and surgical services, including a new birthing centre. Outreach services include cardiology and orthopaedics. Community facilities provide support to child health, mental health, community antenatal and postnatal midwifery services.
Find out more about available PHO positions at Ingham Hospital.
Graduating medical students who are interested in completing a rotation at Ingham Health Service should apply to be an intern at The Townsville Hospital via the annual Queensland Health Intern Campaign. Trainees are then able to nominate their interest in completing a Country Practice rotation to Ingham Hospital. Find out more about how to apply to be an intern at The Townsville Hospital. Discover more about intern rotation options and support available to interns.
Junior Doctors wanting to complete a Queensland Country Junior Doctor Rural Generalist Term should first nominate The Townsville Hospital under the Junior Doctor/RMO campaign. Junior Doctors will be asked to nominate line allocations and can nominate the 10/12 week Rural Generalist placement. These placements provide Junior Doctors with practical experience in rural medicine as well as daily hospital rounds, ED triage and after-hours on call. Doctors will be provided with appropriate Medicare provider numbers to undertake patient clinics and training to use Medical Director software and billing.
James Cook University General Practice Training
James Cook University (JCU) provides training in the medical specialty of general practice (GP) through their GP training program. It is delivered through the College of Medicine and Dentistry under contract to the Australian Government and is part of the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program.
Find out more about GP training
Joyce Palmer Health Service
Joyce Palmer Health Service implements a primary healthcare model of care. A mobile clinic van supports health workers, nurses and doctors to provide services to the community away from the acute environment. Upgrade to the haemodialysis unit provides local care for renal failure patients.
Graduating medical students who are interested in completing a rotation at Joyce Palmer Health Service should apply to be an intern at The Townsville Hospital via the annual Queensland Health Intern Campaign. Trainees are then able to nominate their interest in completing a Country Practice rotation to Joyce Palmer Health Service. Find out more about how to apply to be an intern at The Townsville Hospital. Discover more about intern rotation options and support available to interns.
Find out more about Junior Doctor rotation options and education and training opportunities.
Mackay Base Hospital
The Mackay Base Hospital works closely with JCU. The hospital is equipped with leading-edge technology and was the first fully digital public hospital with medications management in a regional area. The Mackay Hospital and Health Service has been granted $57.2 million in funding which will increase inpatient beds at the hospital, expand the services of the Emergency Department, assist outpatient appointments and surgery as well as improved community mental health services. The Hospital offers a dedicated Coronary Care unit, general surgery, specialist services, an Intensive Care Unit, a large range of outpatient and clinic services, paediatric and child and youth health services, obstetrics and gynaecology, renal support services, and a day oncology unit.
Find out more about available PHO positions at the Mackay Base Hospital.
Graduating medical students have the option to apply to work at the Mackay Base Hospital as an intern via the annual Queensland Health intern campaign. Find out how to apply to be an intern at the Mackay Base Hospital. Discover more about intern rotation options and support available to interns. Interested graduating medical students can apply to be a Rural Generalist intern. Find out more about the Rural Generalist pathway and recruitment dates.
Find out more about specialty training at the Mackay Base Hospital.
Find out more about Junior Doctor rotation options and education and training opportunities at the Mackay Hospital. Rural placement locations include Proserpine, Bowen and Sarina.
Mackay Mater Misericordiae Hospital
The Mater Misericordia Mackay is a private hospital providing services including oncology, medical, surgical, obstetrics, paediatrics, coronary care and palliative care. X-Ray, pathology and pharmacy services are also available.
Find out more about available PHO positions at the Mackay Mater Misericordiae Hospital.
Intern rotations are available at Mater Misericordia Mackay as a Mackay Base Hospital intern. Trainees are able to nominate their interest in completing a Medicine or Surgery rotation at Mater Misericordia Mackay. Find out how to apply to be an intern at the Mackay Base Hospital. Discover more about intern rotation options and support available to interns.
Find out more about specialty training at the Mackay Mater Misericordiae Hospital.
Mareeba Hospital
Mareeba Hospital's services include accident and emergency, ATODS, Stress ECG testing,
Find out more about PHO positions available at Mareeba Hospital.
Graduating medical students who are interested in completing a rotation at Mareeba Hospital should apply to be an intern at Cairns Hospital via the annual Queensland Health Intern Campaign. Trainees are then able to nominate their interest in completing a Country Practice rotation to Mareeba Hospital. Find out how to apply to be an intern at the Cairns Hospital. Discover more about intern rotation options and support available to interns.
Junior Doctors wanting to complete Rural Placement Term should first nominate the Cairns Hospital under the Junior Doctor/RMO campaign. Junior Doctors will be asked to nominate line allocations and can nominate the 10/12 week rural placement. These placements provide Junior Doctors with practical experience in rural medicine as well as daily hospital rounds, ED triage and after-hours on call. Doctors will be provided with appropriate Medicare provider numbers to undertake patient clinics and training to use Medical Director software and billing.
Mt Isa Hospital
Mt Isa Hospital provides a number of services including Medical, Surgical, Intensive Care, Paediatric, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 24-hour emergency department and palliative care. Outreach services, Community and Health Care Services, Visiting Specialists and Allied Health services are available.
Find out more about available PHO positions at the Mt Isa Hospital.
Interested graduating medical students can apply to be a Rural Generalist intern at the Mt Isa Hospital. Find out how to apply to be a Rural Generalist intern at the Mt Isa Hospital. Discover more about intern rotation options and support available to interns. Find out more about the Rural Generalist pathway and recruitment dates.
Find out more about specialty training at the Mt Isa Hospital.
Find out more about Junior Doctor rotation options and education and training opportunities at the Mt Isa Hospital.
Proserpine Hospital
Proserpine Hospital is a heritage-listed public hospital and has a 24-hour Emergency Department. Services at the hospital include Surgical, Obstetrics & Maternity, Cancer Care, Paediatrics, and Palliative Care and houses a High Dependency Unit. The Proserpine Hospital also supports numerous outpatient services and clinics including Chronic Disease management, diabetic support, Cardiac Rehabilitation, a large range of Mental Health services, Orthopaedics, Pathology, Radiography services, Stress Testing, Telehealth and Wound management.
Find out more about available PHO positions at Proserpine Hospital.
Graduating medical students who are interested in completing a rotation at Proserpine Hospital should apply to be an intern at Mackay Base Hospital via the annual Queensland Health Intern Campaign. Trainees are then able to nominate their interest in completing a Country Practice rotation to Proserpine Hospital. Find out how to apply to be an intern at the Mackay Base Hospital. Discover more about intern rotation options and support available to interns.
Junior Doctors wanting to complete Rural Placement Term should first nominate the Mackay Base Hospital under the Junior Doctor/RMO campaign. Junior Doctors will be asked to nominate line allocations and can nominate the 10/12 week rural placement. These placements provide Junior Doctors with practical experience in rural medicine as well as daily hospital rounds, ED triage and after-hours on call. Doctors will be provided with appropriate Medicare provider numbers to undertake patient clinics and training to use Medical Director software and billing.
The Townsville University Hospital
The Townsville University Hospital is a public tertiary hospital and is the major teaching hospital for James Cook University’s schools of medicine, nursing and allied health. The Townsville University Hospital provides the very latest in cardiac, obstetric, gynaecological, paediatric, neurosurgical, orthopaedic, cancer care, mental health, neonatal, allied health, anaesthetic, intensive care services and community services. The Townsville University Hospital has the North's only palliative care Centre. In July 2011, the hospital's new $94 million North Block opened as the first stage of the $437 million redevelopment project. North Block included the opening of the hospital's new 75 bay emergency department (ED) which is now the biggest ED in Queensland. North Block also includes a 34-bed maternity unit and an expanded intensive care unit. The Townsville University Hospital provides accredited specialist training positions in almost every specialty and employs world-renowned and nationally renowned Surgeons and Consultants.
Find out more about available PHO positions at The Townsville University Hospital.
Graduating medical students have the option to apply to work at The Townsville University Hospital as an intern via the annual Queensland Health intern campaign. Find out more about how to apply to be an intern at The Townsville University Hospital. Discover more about intern rotation options and support available to interns. Interested graduating medical students can apply to be a Rural Generalist intern. Find out more about the Rural Generalist pathway and recruitment dates.
Find out more about specialty training at The Townsville University Hospital.
Find out more about Junior Doctor rotation options and education and training opportunities at The Townsville University Hospital. Junior Doctors are able to select a Queensland Country Junior Doctor rural generalist term via the annual RMO line allocations. Placements are full term for 10-12 weeks. Rural Generalist placement locations include Ayr, Ingham, Atherton, Innisfail, Weipa, Charters Towers, Hughenden and Richmond.
Townsville Mater Private Hospital
The Townsville Mater Hospital has served the local Townsville community since 1945. Services at the hospital include Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Endocrinology, General Physician, ENT Surgery, Gastroenterology, Bariatric Surgery, Geriatric Medicine, Gynaecology and Urogynaecology, Haematology, Medical and Radiation Oncology, Nephrology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Obstetrics, Ophthalmology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Paediatrics and Paediatric Surgery, Pain Medicine, Palliative Medicine, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Rehabilitation Medicine, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine, Rheumatology, Urology, Vascular Surgery, and Anaesthesia.
Find out more about available PHO positions at the Townsville Mater Private Hospital.
The Junior Doctor Training Program Private Hospital Stream replaces the former Commonwealth Medical Internships and Junior Medical Officer Training Programs. The Junior Doctor Training Program Private Hospital Stream prioritises international full fee paying medical graduates from onshore Australian medical schools (Priority One). Find out more about the Private Hospital Stream. Interested graduating medical students can also contact the Medical Education Unit at the Townsville Mater Private Hospital for the latest information on the recruitment process for the next intake.
Find out more about specialty training at the Townsville Mater Private Hospital.
Find out more about junior doctor roles and recruitment available at the Townsville Mater Private Hospital.
Townsville Private Clinic
The Townsville Private Clinic is Townsville’s only private inpatient mental health facility. The clinic’s team of psychiatrists, medical staff, and nursing and allied health professionals provide expert care to treat and manage mental health disorders. Specialised services include
Find out more about specialty training at the Townsville Private Clinic.
In Central West there are approximately:
- 0 intern opportunities
- 0 junior doctor (PGY2 and PGY3) opportunities
- 0 PGY4+ opportunities
- 11 registrar opportunities
The Central West region spans 396,650 square kilometres and includes the communities of remote central western Queensland from Tambo, in the south-east, to Boulia in the northwest.
The Central West Hospital and Health Service serve a population of approximately 12,400 persons with the addition of a range of visitors during the winter months.
Central West coordinates Country Practice Rotations for Interns interested in rural and remote placements. Intern Country Practice rotations include Longreach and Blackall.
ExploreIn Cairns there are approximately:
- 51 intern opportunities which includes 5 rural generalist opportunities
- 87 junior doctor (PGY2 and PGY3) opportunities
- 77 PGY4+ opportunities
- 181.7 registrar opportunities
The Cairns region provides an extensive range of health services to a population of approximately 250,000. The area spans over 142,900 square kilometres, from Cairns to Tully in the south, Cow Bay in the north and Croydon in the west. More than 20 per cent of the population is aged over 60, which is one third higher than the national average. Tourism is a key industry and contributes to a relatively high transient population. It is estimated that 14% of the population are Indigenous Australian, compared to 3.5% for Queensland as a whole.
Cairns coordinates Country Practice Rotations for Interns interested in rural and remote placements. Intern Country Practice rotations include Mareeba, Atherton, Innisfail, Tully and Mossman Hospitals.
ExploreIn Mackay there are approximately:
- 41 intern opportunities which includes 6 rural generalist opportunities
- 61 junior doctor (PGY2 and PGY3) opportunities
- 71 PGY4+ opportunities
- 100 registrar opportunities
The Mackay region provides extensive health services in a range of regional, community and rural settings, to a population of approximately 180,000 people.
Mackay coordinates Country Practice Rotations for Interns interested in rural and remote placements. Intern Country Practice rotations include Bowen, Proserpine and Sarina Hospital.
ExploreIn North West there are approximately:
- 7 intern opportunities which includes 5 rural generalist opportunities
- 13 junior doctor (PGY2 and PGY3) opportunities
- 14 PGY4+ opportunities
- 13 registrar opportunities
The North West Hospital and Health Service covers an area of over 300,000 square kilometres and services the rural and remote communities within North Western Queensland and the Gulf of Carpentaria. The region includes the city of Mount Isa and the towns and areas of Burketown, Camooweal, Cloncurry, Dajarra, Doomadgee, Julia Creek, Karumba, Normanton and Mornington Island.
ExploreIn Torres and Cape there are approximately:
- 1 intern opportunities
- 0 junior doctor (PGY2 and PGY3) opportunities
- 6 PGY4+ opportunities
- 14 registrar opportunities
The Torres and Cape Hospital Health and
Torres and Cape coordinate Country Practice Rotations for Interns interested in rural and remote placements. Intern Country Practice rotations include: Weipa and Cooktown Hospitals
ExploreIn Townsville there are approximately:
- 79 intern opportunities which includes 7 rural generalist opportunities
- 96 junior doctor (PGY2 and PGY3) opportunities
- 88 PGY4+ opportunities
- 366 registrar opportunities
The Townsville region has a geographic footprint of 148,000 square kilometres and is home to approximately 238,614 people. The region covers from Cardwell in the north, Richmond in the west and Ayr and Home Hill in the south.
Townsville coordinates Country Practice Rotations for Interns interested in rural and remote placements. Intern Country Practice rotations include Palm Island, Ingham and Charters Towers.
ExploreDISCLAIMER: The information included above is an estimate only as of April 2019. Please contact the relevant health service for updated information about opportunities.
This initiative is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health under the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program in partnership with:
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service
Central West Hospital and Health Service
Mackay Hospital and Health Service
Mackay Mater Misericordiae Hospital
North West Hospital and Health Service
Townsville Hospital and Health Service
Townsville Mater Private Hospital
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service
And with participating General Practices across northern Queensland