In a bid to attract a new doctor to its remote community, the Australian town of Julia Creek is offering a lucrative salary package of up to AU$680,000 (NZ$748,000), along with free rent and a car. With a population of just 500 residents, Julia Creek is situated 17 hours away from Brisbane, the nearest major city, and seven hours from Townsville, presenting unique challenges for prospective candidates.
The town's outgoing physician, Dr. Adam Louws, has been a vital part of the community since his recruitment in 2022. He was initially drawn to Julia Creek when the town offered a salary of AU$500,000, which attracted national attention. "My mother-in-law sent me a link to this news article saying, 'the half a million dollar job that no one wants,'" Louws recalled. After seeing the opportunity, he quickly applied, driven by a desire to explore a new lifestyle and career path.
Prior to Louws' arrival, Julia Creek had gone without a permanent doctor for an astonishing 15 years, relying on a rotating roster of visiting physicians. This chronic shortage of medical professionals in rural areas is not unique to Julia Creek; it reflects a broader issue facing Australia, which is currently experiencing a shortfall of 2,500 doctors nationwide, particularly in remote regions. According to a 2024 government report, this shortage is expected to worsen in the coming years.
For Janene Fegan, the mayor of McKinlay Shire, which encompasses Julia Creek, the challenge of recruiting medical professionals is a pressing concern. Fegan played a key role in the local health service’s campaign that successfully brought Louws to the town and is eager to promote Julia Creek again as the job is advertised anew in March 2025. "We actually have a very, very good lifestyle and a very safe lifestyle," she stated. "Yes, there is distance to travel at times, but how many people do you hear now wanting to escape from that and go off-grid?"
While the allure of a high salary may be tempting, the reality of working as the sole doctor in such a remote location comes with its own set of challenges. Louws acknowledged that the workload can be daunting, especially in a place where he often had to perform procedures he would have referred to specialists in a city setting. "The money is plenty. It is," he said, emphasizing that the job also offered opportunities for personal and professional growth. He fulfilled a childhood dream of learning to milk dairy cows while living in the outback.
Despite the attractive salary and the chance to make a significant impact in a close-knit community, Louws has decided to leave Julia Creek at the end of his two-year contract. The distance from his extended family has taken its toll, prompting his return to city life. "It feels a lot closer. You get to really make a difference," he reflected on his time in Julia Creek, expressing regret about leaving the "incredible" town.
As the search for a new doctor intensifies, the local health service is hopeful that the competitive salary and benefits will attract candidates willing to embrace the unique lifestyle Julia Creek offers. The job listing highlights the perks of living in the outback, including a slower pace of life and the absence of traffic jams. However, the reality remains that many high school students in the area must attend boarding schools in distant cities due to the limited educational facilities.
Julia Creek's situation is reflective of a growing trend across rural Australia, where towns are increasingly offering attractive packages to entice medical professionals. The North West Hospital and Health Service is currently advertising for a senior medical officer in Julia Creek, with the position offering an annual salary of up to AU$680,277 and more than three weeks of annual professional-development leave. This approach mirrors efforts in other rural areas, such as the Shire of Quairading, which recently offered a salary equivalent to AU$189,000 along with a four-bedroom home to attract a doctor.
As applications for Dr. Louws' position close on March 30, 2025, the town remains hopeful that the right candidate will see beyond the challenges of distance and isolation and recognize the unique opportunity to truly make a difference in a community that desperately needs medical care. "You don’t have to stay forever," Fegan encourages potential applicants. "Just give it a shot." With a vibrant community spirit and a chance to be part of something meaningful, Julia Creek continues to seek a doctor willing to embrace the outback life.
