The Australian government provides financial incentives to doctors to become GPs, and more to practice in rural areas. However, not all eligible GPs take advantage. Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney looked into what influences GPs to take up incentives payments when available. Here are the key findings: 43% of GPs received some income from incentives or grants in 2011. GPs in practices with 10 doctors or more are 10% more likely to receive incentive payments than GPs working solo. Practice partners are more likely to receive financial incentives than associates, locums and contract workers. GPs with administrative support are more likely to register for incentives, suggesting the paperwork might not be worth the effort. By far, the most significant factor was the practice location. Due in part to the increased incentives available, GPs in outer regional practices are 37% more likely to receive incentives than their inner city counterparts. Want to know more about what GPs earn? Check out our page on GP income in Australia.
