In September 2025, Regional Training Hubs (RTHs) from across Australia gathered at the University of New South Wales for the National Regional Training Hub Forum, themed “Regional Strength – National Excellence.”
The Forum brought together RTH representatives, educators, and medical leaders to share innovations, strengthen collaboration, and champion rural medical training and workforce opportunities.
The event was marked by the presence of key rural health leaders, including the National Rural Health Commissioner, senior representatives from the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, and the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges. Their participation highlighted the importance of the RTHs’ work in shaping sustainable, community-focused medical training and workforce pathways across remote, rural, and regional Australia.
The Flinders’ Northern Territory Hub and South Australian Limestone Hub made strong contributions to the program, showcasing their commitment to building resilient rural pathways. NT Medical Director, Dr Penny Stewart, noted: “The forum provided an invaluable opportunity to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and advance collaborative approaches to rural medical training.” Her words reflected the essence of the gathering—cross-jurisdictional collaboration to ensure the best ideas are applied locally.
The discussions were framed around four central themes:
1. Cross-collaboration – partnering with RTHs, rural clinical schools, health services and training colleges to deliver educational and workforce opportunities tailored to local contexts.
2. Rural destinations as learning hubs – showcasing the unique opportunities rural practice provides for innovation and growth.
3. Cultural safety and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce capacity – embedding cultural learning to strengthen opportunities for all.
4. Evidencing RTH initiatives – ensuring programs and activities are grounded in evidence.
The NT RTH presented on some of their current initiatives including the Cross-Cultural Communication Education Officer role, Health Cultural Immersion Camps, and Bidirectional Learning informing advanced skills of Rural Generalists and GPs. NT RTH staff also co-designed and led a workshop on data collection and evaluation, embedding evidence into workforce planning.
From South Australia, Michele van Niekerk reflected: “The Forum is always a highlight. From connecting with colleagues and learning from the achievements of other hubs to drawing inspiration from their successes. The collective voice of the Hubs continues to grow stronger, promoting and expanding the regional medical workforce. It is a privilege to be part of such a passionate and collaborative group.”
The 2025 Forum underscored the power of national collaboration to shape a stronger, more sustainable rural medical workforce.
Find out more about the hubs in the Northern Territory and South Australia.