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An isolated town in Australia, which will shortly be without its sole physician, is advertising a yearly income of up to 680,000 Australian dollars (€408,700), along with complimentary housing and a vehicle, as incentives to lure a new medical professional.
In the distant Queensland town of Julia Creek, which has just 500 residents, a family doctor can expect roughly twice the earnings typically offered in Brisbane, the state capital. However, this comes with the caveat that Brisbane lies 17 hours away by car. If one prefers not to make such a long journey, the nearest larger urban center, Townsville, remains a considerable distance at around seven hours' travel.
Future candidates will also have to face intense heat and tropical insects.
However, the departing medical officer from this town, Dr Adam Louws, mentions that whoever takes over will experience a more relaxed lifestyle along with opportunities to acquire new abilities they've never had occasion to use before.
In 2022, Louws was brought in from Brisbane when Julia Creek grabbed nationwide attention by offering an annual salary of AU$500,000 (approximately €300,500).
When my mother-in-law forwarded me this news article with the title 'The Half-Million-Dollar Job That Nobody Wants,' I immediately thought of Julia Creek," Louws commented. "That was my initial reaction after reading through it.
Attracting physicians away from public view
Julia Creek offers an expansive, romantic glimpse into the heart of Australia's Outback, characterized by vast open landscapes and vibrant orange sunsets. 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 three-hour car journey.
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 most pronounced 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 extensive 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 that of the United Kingdom — the vast distances between remote communities have exacerbated healthcare inequalities.
For Janene Fegan, who serves as the mayor of McKinlay Shire—encompassing Julia Creek—it became clear that the town required an effective marketing strategy. Involved in her local health service’s initiative aimed at attracting new talent like Louws, she also committed to publicizing the position once more during the recruitment drive announced in March.
She stated, 'We enjoy an exceptionally comfortable and secure way of life. Certainly, there may be some distances to cover occasionally; however, think about how few individuals express a desire to break away from this structured existence and live off the grid.'
The town, as she pointed out, isn’t actually disconnected from essential services: Julia Creek enjoys both electricity and broadband internet access.
Fegan mentioned, 'There’s no need for permanence,' he added. 'Why not 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 leaving physician, mentioned that practicing alone encouraged him to acquire various medical abilities that he previously referred to another professional "just two minutes away" when residing in the urban area.
He also achieved an early ambition of mastering the skill 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 six months in the position, Louws stated that he recognized "nine out of 10" individuals in the town by their names.
It’s somewhat akin to traveling back around 60 years," he remarked. "Everybody here knows everybody.
When his two-year agreement in Julia Creek concluded, the separation from his large family began to affect him significantly, leading him to decide to go back to his practice in the city. Louws will leave in May, with the deadline for applying for his position being 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.
