Future-Proofing General Practice: How Nest Recruitment attracts the next Generation of GPs
Australia’s healthcare system is under increasing pressure due to a growing shortage of General Practitioners (GPs). As of 2025, this shortage is being acutely felt in both urban centres and, more critically, in rural and regional communities. With demand for primary healthcare services rising, the need for a sustainable, forward-thinking approach to GP recruitment has never been more urgent. Nest Recruitment is stepping into this challenge with a strategy focused on long-term impact: attracting and retaining the next generation of GPs through mentorship, values-aligned placements, and flexible career pathways.
The challenge: GP shortage Australia 2025
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has identified GP workforce shortages as a key threat to the future of accessible healthcare in Australia. With a large cohort of current GPs approaching retirement, and fewer medical graduates opting for general practice, the gap is widening. Regional and remote areas are particularly hard hit, where access to timely and continuous care can directly impact community health outcomes.
This situation is compounded by the shifting expectations of younger doctors. New medical graduates often seek work-life balance, purpose-driven placements, and supportive work environments. Traditional recruitment models, which focus on simply filling vacancies, are no longer effective in attracting this new wave of professionals.
Nest Recruitment’s approach: Building pathways, not just placements
Nest Recruitment understands that to recruit general practitioners successfully in this climate, the model must shift from transactional to transformational. The agency takes a personalised, career-oriented approach to GP recruitment by addressing the needs, goals, and values of early-career doctors.
1. Mentorship-aligned placements
One of the key pillars of Nest’s strategy is mentorship. Many young GPs cite a lack of guidance and professional development as a deterrent to pursuing or continuing in general practice. Nest partners with clinics that prioritise mentorship and continuous learning, ensuring that new recruits are not just employed but supported.
By aligning placements with practices that offer senior oversight, structured training programs, and regular peer support, Nest helps foster confidence and competence in young doctors. This not only improves retention but also builds long-term loyalty to the profession and the clinics they serve.
2. Rural recruitment through meaningful incentives
To combat the geographic imbalance in GP distribution, Nest actively promotes rural opportunities to new doctors. However, they go beyond simply advertising roles—they advocate for holistic incentive packages that include relocation support, housing assistance, professional development funding, and community integration support.
Moreover, Nest works with healthcare providers in rural areas to improve onboarding and retention experiences. By ensuring young GPs feel welcomed and valued, and by matching them with locations that suit their lifestyle preferences, Nest is helping to close the rural healthcare gap in a sustainable way.
3. Flexible contract options
The future of GP recruitment lies in flexibility. Nest recognises that rigid, long-term contracts may deter younger practitioners who are still exploring their career path. As such, they offer a range of contract types—from short-term locum work to long-term placements—with the opportunity to transition into permanent roles.
This flexibility empowers doctors to gain diverse clinical experience, explore different communities, and find their ideal practice environment. For many, this journey leads to longer-term commitments once the right fit is found.
Matching GPs with the right clinics
What truly sets Nest Recruitment apart is its focus on values-based matching. Beyond qualifications and availability, Nest looks at factors such as communication style, professional ethos, and team dynamics when placing a GP in a clinic. This deep level of alignment helps ensure better collaboration, improved patient outcomes, and greater job satisfaction.
Nest's recruiters take time to understand both the career goals of the doctor and the specific needs of the clinic. This allows them to make informed recommendations that are more likely to result in successful, long-term relationships.
A long-term solution to a national issue
The GP shortage in Australia is not a problem that can be solved overnight. But by focusing on the future of GP recruitment—developing career pathways, nurturing professional growth, and prioritising cultural and lifestyle fit—Nest Recruitment is offering a model that both addresses current workforce gaps and builds a stronger, more resilient healthcare system for the years ahead.
As more practices recognise the importance of investing in the next generation of GPs, agencies like Nest will play a crucial role in shaping the future of general practice in Australia.









