Queensland Health will welcome more than 930 first year graduate doctors into hospitals across the state in 2026, marking the largest intake in Queensland’s history and the first time the state has attracted more first year graduates than any other jurisdiction in the country.
The intake surpasses last year’s record of more than 880 new doctors and comes as Queensland faces rising demand for health services. The new cohort is expected to strengthen frontline care across metropolitan, regional and rural communities, while contributing to the long-term goal of delivering an additional 46,000 health staff by 2032.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls met with some of the 94 graduate doctors beginning their careers at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, describing the intake as a clear signal that Queensland is becoming a destination of choice for early-career doctors.
“This record intake of the next generation of doctors shows our plan to grow our workforce is working,” Minister Nicholls said.
“We know that attracting and retaining doctors at the start of their medical careers means more accessible care and better health outcomes for Queenslanders.”
He said meeting doctors as they begin their professional lives offered reassurance about the future of the health system.
“Talking to these new doctors as they commence their careers with us at Queensland Health, seeing and hearing their energy and commitment, gives me confidence the next generation of doctors is ready to step into the frontline and continue making a real difference in their communities,” he said.
Minister Nicholls said engagement with clinicians would remain a priority.
“As Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, I’m committed to talking with clinicians at every stage of their career, to find out how the Crisafulli Government can support them in the delivery of excellence in health services.”
National application data shows Queensland received the highest number of first year graduate doctor applications in the country, overtaking both New South Wales and Victoria. Minister Nicholls said the result reflected confidence in Queensland’s health system and broader appeal.
“This speaks volumes about the reputation of our hospitals, the Queensland lifestyle, and the opportunities we provide for young doctors starting their careers with Queensland Health,” he said.
“After a decade of decline under Labor, I’m proud to be part of a government that is delivering a fresh start by building and investing in the health system now, in preparation for the future, to ensure Queenslanders have access to world-class healthcare no matter where they live.”
The graduate doctors will rotate through a wide range of clinical settings including emergency medicine, cardiology, orthopaedics, anaesthetics, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, intensive care, mental health, general medicine and surgery. These placements are designed to build broad clinical skills while supporting hospital services under pressure.
Regional and rural hospitals will also benefit from the intake, with first year graduates joining facilities in Townsville, Cairns, Hervey Bay, Rockhampton and Mackay. Doctors based in metropolitan hospitals will have opportunities to undertake rotations in rural and remote settings, expanding exposure to different models of care.
The intake also includes a strong regional focus through the Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway, with 56 doctors in the 2026 cohort already choosing specialist careers via the program. The pathway trains doctors in rural medicine, equipping them to deliver high-quality care in regional, rural and remote communities across the state.
The numbers of new first year graduate doctors across Queensland are as follows:
- Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service: 68
- Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service: 43
- Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service: 61
- Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service: 107
- Mackay Hospital and Health Service: 36
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service: 203
- Metro South Hospital and Health Service: 166
- North West Hospital and Health Service: 6
- Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service: 79
- Townsville Hospital and Health Service: 74
- West Moreton Hospital and Health Service: 52
- Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service: 36
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