Quote from Alex bobby on March 28, 2025, 8:38 AM

Remote Australian Town Offers Lucrative Salary to Attract New Doctor

A small town in the Australian Outback is searching for a new doctor, offering an enticing salary of up to 680,000 Australian dollars (€408,700), along with free rent and a car. However, applications for this unique opportunity close on Sunday, and the town is still looking for the right candidate.

A High-Paying Opportunity in the Heart of the Outback

The town of Julia Creek, located in remote Queensland with a population of just 500, is offering nearly double the salary of a general practitioner working in Brisbane. But there’s a catch: the nearest major city, Townsville, is a seven-hour drive away, while Brisbane is a staggering 17-hour journey by car.

Prospective candidates must also be prepared for the region’s extreme heat, vast landscapes, and encounters with tropical insects. Despite these challenges, outgoing town doctor Adam Louws believes the role comes with unique rewards, including the opportunity to develop new skills and enjoy a slower-paced lifestyle.

From Brisbane to the Bush: One Doctor’s Journey

Dr. Adam Louws took the position in 2022 after reading about Julia Creek’s previous job advertisement, which made headlines for offering AU$500,000 (€300,500). Encouraged by his mother-in-law, he was intrigued by the offer and quickly researched the town before applying.

“When I first saw the job, my first thought was, ‘Where’s Julia Creek?’” Louws recalls. Within days, he had applied, and before long, he, his wife, and their four children were packing their bags for life in the Outback.

The Challenge of Attracting Doctors to Remote Areas

Julia Creek’s struggle to maintain a permanent doctor is part of a larger issue affecting rural healthcare in Australia. For 15 years before Louws arrived, the town had relied on a rotating roster of visiting doctors, with no one staying permanently. This is a widespread problem in the country, where a 2024 government report highlighted a nationwide shortage of 2,500 general practitioners, particularly in rural and remote areas.

Recruiting doctors to the Outback is made even more difficult by Australia’s vast geography. With towns spread far apart, rural communities often suffer from limited access to healthcare. The problem is not unique to Australia—neighbouring New Zealand faces similar challenges, with its sparse population and remote communities leading to significant healthcare disparities.

A Unique Selling Point: The Julia Creek Lifestyle

For McKinlay Shire Mayor Janene Fegan, the key to attracting a doctor lies in marketing the town’s unique lifestyle. Fegan, who helped recruit Louws in 2022, says that while distance is a challenge, Julia Creek offers a safe and peaceful environment, free from the stresses of city life.

“We actually have a very, very good lifestyle here,” Fegan explains. “Yes, there is distance to travel, but many people nowadays are looking for a way to escape and go off-grid.”

Of course, Julia Creek isn’t truly off-grid—the town has electricity, broadband internet, and modern amenities. And while the position doesn’t require a lifelong commitment, Fegan encourages interested doctors to give it a try. “You don’t have to stay forever,” she says. “Just give it a shot.”

The Rewards of Rural Medicine

While some medical experts initially questioned whether even a boosted salary could compensate for the workload of a solo rural doctor, Louws argues that the experience has been incredibly enriching. Practicing in a remote setting has allowed him to develop medical skills he wouldn’t have used in a city clinic, where specialists are readily available.

“In the city, you send patients two minutes down the road to another practitioner,” he says. “Here, you learn to do it all yourself.”

Beyond medicine, Louws also fulfilled a personal childhood dream—learning how to milk dairy cows.

“The money is plenty, no doubt,” he says. “But what people don’t always consider is everything else this town has to offer.”

A Town Where Everybody Knows Your Name

One of the most unexpected joys of working in Julia Creek, Louws says, has been the close-knit community. Within six months of arriving, he could recognise and name “nine out of ten” people in town.

“It feels like stepping back in time about 60-odd years,” he explains. “Everyone knows everyone.”

That sense of belonging has made it difficult for Louws to leave, but after completing his two-year contract, he plans to return to city life to be closer to extended family. He departs in May, leaving behind what he describes as an “incredible” town.

A Last Chance to Apply

As Louws prepares to leave, Julia Creek is once again looking for a new doctor willing to embrace the Outback lifestyle. Applications close on Sunday, and while the job isn’t for everyone, those who take the leap may find more than just financial rewards.

“You get to really make a difference,” Louws says. “And that’s something you don’t get everywhere.”