A significant boost in the number of Australian National University medical graduates choosing to work in Canberra has provided a welcome lift for the capital's health system, though advocates warn more must be done to secure vital specialists for the growing population.
Retention rates climb but historical challenges persist
Of the 94 new medical interns who began work at Canberra Hospital and North Canberra Hospital this week, a notable 63 per cent are graduates from the ANU. This marks a substantial improvement from the 53 per cent and 50 per cent retention rates seen in 2024 and 2025 respectively. The remaining cohort is made up of graduates from other Australian universities (25 per cent) and international medical graduates (11 per cent).
While this trend is positive, Australian Medical Association ACT branch president Dr Kerrie Aust highlighted that the territory still faces a long-term struggle. She pointed out that a decade ago, as many as three-quarters of ANU graduates would begin their careers locally. "Canberra is not as competitive as it should be when it comes to rates of pay for public hospital medical practitioners," Dr Aust stated, emphasising that attracting and retaining specialists remains a critical issue.
Why doctors stay, and why they leave
According to a survey by the Australian Medical Association, the top reasons medical graduates decide to stay in Canberra are:
- Familiarity with the local clinical environment and systems.
- Having family and friends in the area.
- The lifestyle and overall liveability of the city.
Conversely, the primary factors driving graduates away are lifestyle considerations, being closer to family and friends elsewhere, workplace culture, and the reputation of the hospitals themselves.
New junior doctor Dr Olivia Taifalos, a 25-year-old ANU graduate originally from Cairns, exemplifies the reasons to stay. She cited her positive experiences as a student, the supportive culture for junior doctors, and the city's appealing blend of urban amenities and community feel. "Being included in the teams and being really valued ... empowering us to speak up a little bit more as junior doctors," played a big part in her decision, she explained.
Culture shift and ongoing reforms
Dr Taifalos and her cohort have noticed efforts to improve support and culture within Canberra Health Services, a factor she believes is encouraging more graduates to stay. This cultural shift is occurring against a backdrop of significant reform. In late 2024, Canberra Health Services and Calvary Health Care ACT settled a landmark $31 million class action brought by junior doctors over unpaid overtime.
Recent data suggests these changes may be having an effect. A December 2025 survey by the Medical Board of Australia found that while ACT trainee doctors were more likely to witness or experience bullying, harassment, or discrimination, their willingness to recommend their workplace was on par with the national average. Specifically, 81 per cent of ACT doctors agreed they would recommend their current workplace as a place to train.
Dr Taifalos, who is interested in rural generalist medicine, plans to stay in Canberra for at least the next few years. Her story reflects a broader narrative: while personal connections and quality of life are powerful retention tools, systemic issues around pay, conditions, and specialist career pathways must be addressed to ensure Canberra's health system can meet future demand.
