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Rural Health Workforce Australia is the national peak body for advocacy and representation on Australian rural and remote health workforce issues. RHWA represents Rural Workforce Agencies in all states and the Northern Territory of Australia. Rural Health Workforce Australia is the national peak body for advocacy and representation on Australian rural and remote health workforce issues. RHWA represents Rural Workforce Agencies in all states and the Northern Territory of Australia.

Research & Policy

Key points

  • 30 per cent of people live in rural and remote Australia
  • Primary health care, such as general practice, is critical to a community’s health and wellbeing
  • Rural people generally have poorer health than their city counterparts
  • There are too few health professionals in rural and remote Australia
  • There will continue to be a shortage of health professionals in rural and remote Australia for at least 15 years
  • International Medical Graduates (IMGs) form a significant proportion of the workforce in rural and remote Australia

Strategic priorities

 Rural Health Workforce Australia is focused on three goals:

  1. Making General Practice viable in rural and remote Australia 
  2. Supporting International Medical Graduates to live and work in rural and remote Australia
  3. Ensuring that future health professionals are attracted to rural and remote health careers

Indigenous health workforce needs underpin all goals and strategies as a key commitment.

How we operate

We work in partnership with our member Rural Workforce Agencies to complement their on-the-ground knowledge and expertise. We use the available evidence and undertake research to better understand the contextual issues. We also undertake trials so that any solutions are tested for their effectiveness. We develop and advocate for the implementation of evidence-based programs that benefit the health of rural and remote Australians.