Media and News

Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand has welcomed the Albanese Government’s announcement of 50 additional Commonwealth Supported Places for medical students, delivered through a $30 million investment to strengthen the general practice workforce.

The President of Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand, Professor Kirsty Forrest, today called for the Government to make urgent changes to include medical students in its plan to extend Commonwealth Prac Payments to allied health students.

The data are collected through an annual survey administered to final year medical students from all medical schools across Australia. The survey collects information on final year demographics, previous and current education, medical school experiences, rural background, and career intentions.

The Executive of Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand today announced the appointment of Ms Anita Hobson-Powell to the position of CEO, commencing on 1 June 2026.

Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand welcomes the announcement of an additional 100 Commonwealth supported places that will enable more Australian students to study medicine.

For the third consecutive year, Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand convened its Health Workforce Data Forum on 7 August 2025 in Canberra, reinforcing the enduring value of the longitudinal dataset.

Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand welcomes the recognition of rural generalism as a medical specialty within general practice, as announced over the weekend by the Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing.

Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand welcomes the release by the Government of grant opportunities for 100 new medical school places in 2026, rising to new 150 new places per year by 2028.

Insights from final-year students of Australian medical schools, including their backgrounds, school experience and early preferences for their future career.

Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand has welcomed the Opposition’s commitment to fund 200 additional medical school places to strengthen the medical workforce in rural, regional, and remote Australia.

Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand has welcomed the Government’s announcement of a $48.8 million investment in additional medical school places, as part of a $617 million package to grow the primary care workforce.

After an extensive recruitment process, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Ms Kate Lynch to the position of Medical Deans CEO.

Thousands of health professional students have had their mental health boosted after accessing a new Australian Government funded Mental Health First Aid training initiative, under a program led by the 3 Councils of Deans: MDANZ, CDNM, and ACDHS.

Representatives from Federal and State Governments, Colleges, postgraduate councils, medical schools and others met recently to discuss medical workforce data – what is collected, its value to better workforce planning, and how we might work together to fill the gaps.

Medical Deans’ vision for place-based solutions to medical workforce challenges in remote, rural and regional communities.

Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand (Medical Deans) welcomes the recognition of the financial impact that clinical placements have on students, especially in the midst of cost-of-living and accommodation cost rises.

Medical Deans’ welcomes the investment in more medical school places to be based in the Northern Territory. Enabling universities to deliver medical programs in rural and regional areas is vital so students can study and learn in the regions where we need them and where they want to be.

The increase in medical school places recommended in the landmark Australian Universities Accord is a critical investment that will help address regional workforce shortages and improve access to primary care.

Solving Australia’s GP crisis and rural doctor crisis will depend on attracting more medical students and junior doctors to a career in general practice or rural generalism. An innovative training model in rural NSW is doing just that.

The teaching and training of our future doctors in primary care was the missing piece of this year’s Budget. This is essential to strengthening Medicare

The internationally recognised training developed by Mental Health First Aid Australia has been adapted specifically for medical students and is consistently highly rated. This funding support its provision until 2026.