October 13th, 2025More doctors in regional Victoria

More doctors are on their way to rural and regional Victoria – thanks to an expanded state government program that’s helping health services recruit and retain the doctors they need most.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas has announced that the Connecting the Docs program will grow to include up to 10 additional public health services across Victoria – backed by a $680,000 investment over the next two years.

Building on the program’s success in the Loddon Mallee region, the expansion will begin in East Gippsland with Omeo District Health, Bairnsdale Regional Health, Orbost Regional Health and Gippsland Lakes Complete Health among the new services to join.

Since launching in September 2023, Connecting the Docs has registered more than 70 doctors, with seven already successfully recruited to towns including Swan Hill, Kerang and Echuca.

The program is helping to address long-term workforce shortages by streamlining recruitment, supporting international transitions and creating flexible career pathways across hospital, community and primary care settings.

Connecting the Docs also helps reduce recruitment costs, strengthen smaller practices and build a connected network of healthcare professionals through peer support and ongoing career development.

The program is co-funded by participating health services, with the government support including an initial $50,000 investment in 2023 to enhance its online job directory, digital content and recruitment campaigns targeting domestic and international candidates.