Working in WA

General practice is a diverse profession and Western Australia is a diverse state. Undertaking GP training in WA offers you a unique experience of learning from excellent and experienced practicing GPs in the beautiful west part of Australia.

Covering 2 529 875 km2 (one third of Australia.), Western Australia is the largest state. WA can offer you the opportunity to live and work close to unique holiday destinations and enjoy extraordinary experiences that many just dream of. Whether you choose to live and work in the vibrant city of Perth, the lush, winery regions in the south, or head towards the red dirt, hot weather and adventure-focused communities in the north, we are sure you will have a rewarding experience in WA.

You can base yourself in the capital city of Perth, which provides access to beautiful beaches, fantastic events and a diverse and vibrant nightlife. There are general practices located throughout the city, or you can choose to work outside the metropolitan centre in one of the many leafy or coastal suburbs. Perth continues to be a growing city, and there are opportunities to join expanding and new general practices to the north, south and east of the city centre. With the new Fiona Stanley Hospital, Midland Health Campus Perth Children’s Hospital, you are well supported by state of the art facilities, with access to a wide variety of specialists and supporting health services.

If you are more interested in working away from the skyscrapers, working as a general practitioner in country Western Australia offers variety, challenge, fulfillment and a real understanding of the value of community. Choose to work in the red wilderness, along our world famous coastline or amongst towering forests or lush vines. Enjoy being part of a small, farming town, or supporting those in remote Aboriginal communities – the experience you are looking for is available.

As a country general practitioner you may choose to work in a regional centre and be part of a group practice, or you can work in a smaller town and run your own practice. You will have the opportunity to practice a wide variety of skills, with procedural general practice work in demand in many towns.

What career opportunities are there as a GP in WA?
Working as a GP, you will have the opportunity to build relationships with your patients and make a real difference in their lives. There is currently a shortage of GPs in country WA, with State and Federal Governments working on a number of initiatives to combat this. One example of this is the creation of new training hubs in regional towns for medical students to complete their training in a country location. Working in the country gives you the chance to practise varied and challenging work, broaden your professional skills, specialise and combine other forms of medicine with GP, provide continuity of care to patients and earn a highly competitive salary. The lifestyle benefits include no commute, a healthy work-life balance, being part of a close-knit regional community and having WA’s amazing natural attractions right at your doorstep. WAGPET delivers the AGPT program in Western Australia and offers registrars the opportunity to complete training at quality-accredited training facilities across WA. For more information about training in WA, please visit the WAGPET website. If you are interested in working as GP in country WA, Rural Health West have a range of vacancies in primary healthcare and can provide a personalised service to find a role that suits your needs.
Whats the climate like in WA?
From the Mediterranean climate in the south to the warm and tropical conditions of the north, WA has some of the most diverse weather in Australia. Those based in the north enjoy sunny skies and high temperatures of approximately 28 ºC to 35 ºC from May to October (known as the dry season); perfect for going to the beach or visiting one of our many national parks. From November to April (the wet season), the north experiences hot and humid weather with heavy rainfalls common in the late afternoon. The climate in the mid and south of the state (including Perth) follow a Mediterranean seasonal cycle, where summer temperatures in January can reach the high, dry 30s or 40s and winter minimum temperatures can drop below 5 ºC, while the day time temperature will be around 17 ºC. Snow is very rare in WA.
Where should I live in WA ?
Living in WA offers a range of lifestyles and opportunities. WA is the largest state in the country, and has a population of around 2.5 million people. Most of the population lives in the capital city of Perth, however close to 1 million are scattered across rural WA. Perth WA’s capital city, Perth, is considered one of the most livable cities in the world, with its relaxed pace of life and abundance of activities, restaurants, cafes and public parks. The beaches are a popular attraction with locals during the warmer seasons; the bright blue water is ideal for swimming, snorkelling and surfing. Regional WA There are nine areas in WA which are considered to be regional; Gascoyne, Goldfields-Esperance, Kimberley, Pilbara, Midwest, South West, Great Southern, Peel and Wheatbelt. Most regional towns are dotted along the coastline or in the agricultural zone east of Perth. Our more remote communities are located in our northern deserts. Regional WA is full of vibrant and active communities with supermarkets, restaurants, shops and cafes. Facilities such as post, banking and police are also located in all rural and most remote towns. These communities are known to be very warm, welcoming and friendly.