The department administers two rural health programs that offer incentives and support for medical practitioners who are providing services in rural areas:

• the General Practice Rural Incentives Scheme (GPRIP)
• the Rural Procedural Grants Program (RPGP).

General Practice Rural Incentives Program

The GPRIP aims to encourage medical practitioners to practise in rural and remote communities and to promote careers in rural medicine.

Table 32: General Practice Rural Incentives Program

Rural Procedural Grants Program

The RPGP assists GPs who deliver procedural or emergency medicine services in rural and remote areas to attend training courses to maintain and improve their skills. Under the program, up to $20,000 is paid per GP per year.

The department works closely with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners to streamline the payment process for eligible providers.

Table 33: Rural Procedural Grants Program