About Us

Rural Health Workforce Australia (RHWA) is the national body for the seven Rural Workforce Agencies serving each State and the Northern Territory.

This not-for-profit Network attracts, recruits and supports health professionals needed to work in rural and remote communities.

At a national level, RHWA advocates for improvements to the rural health workforce and collaborates with others who share our commitment to make healthcare accessible for rural and remote people.

We also undertake research, analyse workforce data and administer programs that support health students and health professionals. RHWA also supports the 10,000-strong National Rural Health Student Network.

Across Australia last year, our Network:

• Recruited 549 new doctors, nurses and allied health professionals for rural communities and Aboriginal Medical Services
• Supported 6,000 health professionals and 1,800 rural practices
• Arranged locum relief for 606 rural doctors so they could take a break
• Supported more than 2,500 rural doctor families
• Provided rural relocation grants to 58 dentists
• Engaged hundreds of university health students in positive rural experiences such as rural high school visits and Go Rural career events