Remote Australian Town Offers $428,000 Salary to Attract New Doctor

Julia Creek, set to lose its only doctor in May, highlights rural healthcare challenges as it seeks a replacement with significant incentives.

Julia Creek, Queensland, is offering a salary of AU$680,000 (approximately $428,000 USD), free rent, and a car to recruit a new doctor.
The town, with a population of 500, is located 17 hours from Brisbane and seven hours from the nearest major city, Townsville.
Dr. Adam Louws, the outgoing doctor, was recruited in 2022 after the town spent 15 years without a permanent physician.
Applications for the position close Sunday, as Julia Creek grapples with broader national and global rural healthcare shortages.
The role offers unique professional growth opportunities but comes with challenges, including isolation, extreme heat, and limited resources.