Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Advanced Skills Training

Information Pack

Local Health Network/s: YNLHN
Registration Requirements: General Registration*
Post Graduate Year: PGY4+/GPT3+
Expression of Interest Guideline: click HERE.
*Applicants must be registrable with the Medical Board of Australia as a Medical Practitioner with General Registration. See the Applications Requirements tab below for full details.

Current as of April 2026. All information is subject to change.

About the Program

What To Expect

Application Requirements

Further Information

About the Program

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Advanced Skills position within the Yorke and Northern Local Health Network is a full-time (negotiable) position split into several geographical locations throughout the training year.

The GPT3+ position is designed to promote a broad range of experiences in rural settings across Yorke and Northern Local Health Network, including Aboriginal Communities and Health Services. The training post is designed to provide longitudinal exposure to several health services and communities to allow relationships to build which are integral to appropriate care of communities.

The training post will undergo accreditation with both RACGP and ACRRM in 2026. Applicants will be updated on the process of this as it happens.

Locations

Point Pearce Aboriginal Health Service, Point Pearce
The Point Pearce Aboriginal Health Service provides primary care and allied health services to the community of Point Pearce on Yorke Peninsula. Supervision at this site will be provided by the General Practitioners and Rural Generalists from Wutto Purrunna Aboriginal Health Service.

Tarpari Wellbeing Centre, Port Pirie
The Tarpari Wellbeing Centre provides primary care services and allied health services to the community or Port Pirie. Supervision at this site will be provided by the General Practitioners and Rural Generalists from Wutto Purrunna Aboriginal Health Service.

Yanggalagawi Aboriginal Health Service, Moonta
Yanggalagawi Aboriginal Health Service provides visiting primary care and allied health services to the community of Moonta. This will be an outreach post for visiting registrars and general practitioners.

Maitland Hospital, Maitland

Central Yorke Peninsula Hospital is a 14-inpatient bed hospital that cares for patients across the central and southern Yorke Peninsula. There are 3 emergency department beds and a high dependency/resus bed in addition. They have dialysis 6 days per week, a transition care program and a 8 bed aged care wing attached.

GPs, Rural generalists and locums care for patients in emergency and in the inpatient ward over 24-hour shifts. Presentations vary from minor injuries to multi-trauma and resuscitation. The hospital cares for patients of all ages.

Being a member of a smaller team of medical staff, you will have access to significant individual support from the YNLHN Medical Education Unit and you will also develop close working relationships with your junior and senior medical colleagues. The working culture at our hospitals and general practices embraces teamwork and recognises that all team members, including Trainee Medical Officers, are highly valued for the skills and knowledge they are able to contribute to patient care.

Learn more about YNLHN.

FAQs

I am unsure about moving to the country. Can I visit to look at the facilities prior to finalising my preferences?
The Yorke and Northern Local Health Network welcomes anyone who is interested to tour our region, meet our staff, supervisors, and current cohort to get a “real” feel for the region.

Will accommodation be provided?
Accommodation support is available through the YNLHN on request for the first 2 years of employment with YNLHN.

Will I be supported with relocation expenses?
Up to $13,000 can be claimed for relocation reimbursements.

Will I need my own transport?
As our region is geographically vast, you may have the opportunity to attend educational activities or work-related commitments in other towns or outside of hours. Public transport options are not suitable to meet the full requirements of your role. You will, therefore, require a valid driver’s licence and vehicle.

Can I get decent coffee and food?
The towns within the Yorke and Northern local health network have a variety of food and coffee options to rival the best cafes in Adelaide. Delicacies made from locally sourced produce and made by locals! There are a number of restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and wineries within the region for you to enjoy. Larger towns such as Clare, Port Pirie and Kadina have multiple fast food restaurant chains open late for any late-night needs.

What is there to do in the areas?
The Yorke Peninsula, Southern Flinders Ranges, the Mid North, and stunning Clare Valley Wine region are all within our LHN. It is a beautiful and diverse area of South Australia. It comprises breathtaking national parks, walking trails, cycling, art and photography, outback camping, four-wheel driving adventures, swimming, snorkelling and a wealth of dining experiences including wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Most within a two-hour drive from Adelaide!

The Medical Education Unit encourage trainees to explore the region and integrate into communities, so we are committed to limited overtime, flexible working hours and a focus on wellbeing. The Rural Doctor Program provides opportunities for medical staff to engage with and immerse themselves in the local Community.

Will I be eligible for the new Regional Incentive Payments?
Yes, most of the YNLHN is a MM5 and new doctors are paid accordingly. Please see link for more details.

Number of Positions in 2027 Clinical Year

YNLHN

1 What can you expect from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Advanced Skills Program?

What should employees expect from the role?
Below is an example of how the split of work between the various sites may look in 2027. At the three Aboriginal Health Service sites, you will work closely with local staff and community to provide primary care services as well as participate in preventative health and screening activities. This will involve working with the community to assess what the health issues of concern at each site and develop strategies to improve health outcomes. This is a great opportunity to build connections, provide continuity of care across the lifespan that can make a lasting impact.

In addition, the opportunity to work in a small rural hospital, Maitland will also provide insight into the work of a rural generalist. Maitland Hospital provides many services including Emergency Medicine and can admit patients of any age. It has a small emergency department, High Dependency unit, inpatient ward, aged care, dialysis unit as well as outpatient allied health services.

Registrars can expect to be supervised by Aboriginal Health GPs from NALHN’s Wutto Purrunna Aboriginal Health Service as well as local doctors across multiple sites. YNLHN will arrange cultural mentors as well as mentors for Academic and community projects.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
WEEK 1	Point Pearce	Point Pearce	OFF	Yanggalagawi	Academic Project	Maitland Hospital	Maitland Hospital
WEEK 2	OFF	OFF	Tarpari	Tarpari	Academic Project	OFF	OFF
WEEK 3	Point Pearce	Point Pearce	Maitland Hospital	Yanggalagawi	Academic Project	OFF	OFF
WEEK 4	Maitland Hospital	Maitland Hospital	Tarpari	Tarpari	Academic Project	OFF	OFF

Does this program meet RACGP and ACRRM Training Requirements?
YNLHN are applying to ACRRM and RACGP for accreditation for this post for the 2027 training year.

Where will I be based? Will I be expected to travel to other country locations?
You will be based on the Yorke Peninsula. Most of the work will be in Maitland and Point Pearce, with some travel to Moonta and Point Pearce. YNLHN provide and fund accommodation for all new trainees for 2 years. We will work with you, aiming to find suitable and desirable accommodation for the period of this training post. When asked to travel for work or training, YNLHN provide reimbursements and short-term accommodation as needed.

What are the key outcomes of the program?
The aim of this program is to provide trainees with sufficient clinical experience and supervision support to meet the requirements of either the RACGP FRACGP – RG ARST or ACRRM AST in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health AST/ARST.

Are contracts renewed every 12 months? If I want to stay on for an extra year, do I have to apply again?
This position is a 12-month contracted position. Contract can be extended if the trainee is enrolled in the RACGP or ACRRM training programs and wishes to complete their training with YNLHN. Access to the Single Employer Model (SEM) is available on request.

What education is provided?
A variety of teaching opportunities exist to support the ongoing education of the position.

Education sessions are available both face to face and online.

The Rural Doctor Program hold weekly education for pre-vocational medical officers and monthly Practical Skills Days that the AST Trainee Medical Officer is welcome to participate in. YNLHN also fund additional training opportunities for interested trainees including ALS2, NALS, Country-Xray training and POCUS.

How will supervision be provided? Will this vary from rotation to rotation?
Supervision will vary at each site. At Point Pearce, Yanggalagawi and Tarpari supervision will be provided by the GPs and RGs from Wutto Purrunna Aboriginal Health Service at NALHN. When working at Maitland Hospital the rostered senior doctor for the day will provide supervision for the shift. This is also supported by the Senior clinicians at Wallaroo Hospital. If the registrar chooses to undertake an Academic Post during this year, supervision for their research project will be provided by Adelaide Rural Clinical School.

What other support is provided?
The Executive Director of Medical Services, Director of Clinical Training and Medical Education Officer are available for professional, administrative and welfare support The Medical Education Unit has an open-door policy where Trainees are encouraged to discuss any issues or concerns.

Will the TMO supervise interns/others in their role?
Trainees may be required to assist in the learning experience of medical students, Interns and prevocational Trainee medical officers.

About the selection panel
The selection panel may include:

The Director of Clinical Training
The Medical Education Officer
Relevant General Practitioner Supervisor
Aboriginal Health Supervisor
Member of the Aboriginal Health Directorate or staff member of an Aboriginal Health service

Eligibility
Must have:
- Completed a medical degree.
- Have general medical registration with the Medical Board of Australia.
- Have completed internship, PGY2 year and 12 months of GP placements as a GP registrar.
- Be available for a 12-month commitment commencing February 2027.
- Must have Australian Working Rights.
- Be in a training program with either RACGP or ACRRM
- Have completed and submitted an online Expression of Interest, including the provision of valid supporting documentation, by the Expression of Interest closing date.
Skills and Knowledge
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
- High level of skills in negotiation and communication.
- Genuine empathy for patients and their relatives/family.
- Ability to communicate confidently and appropriately with patients and their family/relatives.
- Ability to work as a team member and individually.
- Ability to work under pressure without compromising patient care.
- Competency in range of routine and common procedural ward-based skills.
- Skill in problem solving and decision making at both the clinical and the individual level.
- Commitment to quality management philosophy.
- Ability to respond positively to change.
Knowledge
- Knowledge of contemporary medical practice and procedures appropriate to the level of the position.
- Knowledge of investigations and treatments appropriate to the level of the position.
- Knowledge of Work, Health & Safety principles, and procedures.
Selection Process
The selection process will involve assessing your:
- Appropriate completion and verification of Application.
- Required documents as outlined below.
- Online referee reports (will be sent by SA MET once you have submitted your application, and it has been verified).
- Interview, as described below.
All Expression of Interests will be scored/ranked for shortlisting. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a face to face or Teams interview, and in some circumstances, this can be conducted via teleconference.

SA MET will match the highest ranked candidate to this position. See the PGY2+ Application Guideline for more information on the matching process.
Required Documents
In addition to the standard documentation outlined in the PGY2+ Application Guideline, you will be required to provide the following:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  – In your CV you are required to carefully document any professional development you have undertaken including academic and clinical achievements, quality improvements and research.
  – You are required to include contact details from two referees in Australia who have worked with you in a clinical setting.
- Cover letter, which should address:
  – In no more than 300 words describe why training in the Yorke and Northern Local Health Network interests you?
  – What experience have you had of either living and / or working in a rural area or what personal strengths do you have which will assist you to live and work within a rural community?
  – Why do you want to complete a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Advanced Skills Training year?
Interview Process
Applicants who are shortlisted for an interview will be notified by mobile phone and/or email.

The intention of the interview is to ensure that candidates are the best fit for the role. Interview is likely to include invitation to describe previous experiences and some scenario-based question with the aim to evaluate candidates against selection criteria which include:
1. Demonstration of a genuine interest in living and working in a rural community and in Aboriginal Health.
2. Highly effective communication and collaboration skills in the clinical setting.

Prevocational Accreditation

Careers

News & Education

About

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Advanced Skills Training

Information Pack

About the Program

What To Expect

Application Requirements

Further Information

About the Program

Locations

Number of Positions in 2027 Clinical Year

YNLHN

1

What can you expect from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Advanced Skills Program?

Program Contacts

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Advanced Skills Training

Information Pack

About the Program

What To Expect

Application Requirements

Further Information

About the Program

Locations

Number of Positions in 2027 Clinical Year

YNLHN

1

What can you expect from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Advanced Skills Program?

Program Contacts

Acknowledgement of Country