Wanted: Aussie Outback Offers €400K Salary Plus Free Rent for New Doctor

An isolated township in Australia, which will shortly be left without its sole physician, is enticing a new medical professional with an annual pay of up to 680,000 Australian dollars (£395,200), along with complimentary housing and a vehicle.

In the distant Queensland town of Julia Creek, which has just 500 residents, a family doctor can expect to receive roughly twice the pay they would in Brisbane, the state capital. However, this comes with a significant drawback: driving from one location to the other takes approximately 17 hours. If you prefer not to make such an extensive journey, be aware that the nearest large urban center, Townsville, still requires a trip lasting around seven hours.

Future candidates will have to contend with scorching temperatures and tropical bugs as well.

However, the town’s departing doctor, Dr Adam Louws, notes that his successor will experience a more relaxed lifestyle and an opportunity to acquire skills they have never utilized before.

In 2022, Louws was brought aboard from Brisbane after Julia Creek garnered nationwide attention for providing an annual compensation of AU$500,000 (approximately €300,500).

"When my mother-in-law forwarded me a link to this news piece with the caption 'the half-million-dollar job nobody desires,' I recalled thinking, 'Where exactly is Julia Creek?'" Louws mentioned.

Attracting physicians away from public view

Julia Creek offers an expansive and romantic glimpse into the heart of Australia's Outback, characterized by vast open landscapes and vibrant sunset hues. Children engage in various sports activities and enjoy horse riding. However, due to its remoteness, attending high school often requires students to board in urban areas, and reaching the closest medical facility involves a lengthy journey of almost three hours.

Prior to Louws' arrival in 2022, the town had been without a permanent physician for 15 years, relying instead on sporadic visits from doctors who stayed only briefly.

This issue has troubled rural communities in Australia and across the globe for many years.

According to a 2024 government report, Australia faces a deficit of around 2,500 general practitioners nationwide, with this scarcity being particularly severe in rural regions and anticipated to increase further.

Recruiting physicians for rural areas in Australia is complicated by the enormous distances separating the most isolated communities; this sprawling nation ranks among the globe’s least densely inhabited regions.

In nearby New Zealand – which has a population of 5 million spread across an area similar to the United Kingdom’ s size – the vast distances between remote communities have exacerbated health inequalities.

For Janene Fegan, who serves as the mayor of McKinlay Shire—encompassing Julia Creek—that entailed crafting an effective marketing strategy for the town. Fegan played a role in the local health service’s initiative aimed at recruiting Louws and pledged to advertise the position once more when it was posted in March.

She stated, 'Our quality of life is exceptionally high and incredibly secure. Admittedly, we sometimes have long distances to cover, yet how often do you come across individuals who desire to break away from this structured existence and live independently?'

The town, as she pointed out, isn’t actually disconnected from essential services: Julia Creek enjoys access to both electricity and broadband internet.

You don't need to commit long-term," Fegan stated. "Give it a try.

Familiar with everyone in town by name

In 2022, when the position was announced, several healthcare analysts commented that even with the increased pay, it wouldn't be sufficient to cover the responsibilities of a single physician.

However, Louws, the outgoing physician, mentioned that practicing alone motivated him to acquire various medical abilities that he previously referred to another professional "just two minutes away" when he was based in the city.

He also achieved his childhood wish of mastering how to milk dairy cows.

The compensation is ample. It certainly is," Louws stated. "One aspect that I believe often gets overlooked regarding this position is everything else the town provides.

Three days after learning about Julia Creek through Wikipedia, Louw decided to apply for the position. Shortly thereafter, he along with his wife and their four children began preparing to relocate.

After working for six months, Louws stated that he recognized "nine out of 10" individuals in the town by their names.

It gives off this vibe as though we've stepped back around 60 years," he mentioned. "Everybody here seems to know everybody.

When his two-year agreement in Julia Creek concluded, the separation from his large family began to affect him significantly, leading him to plan his return to his urban practice. Louws will leave in May, with applications for his position closing this Sunday.

He regrets having to leave this "amazing" town.

The proximity seems much greater now," the doctor remarked. "Here, you truly have the opportunity to create an impact.