Australian Medical Association

11/09/2026

International medical graduates (IMGs) are a permanent and highly valued part of Australia's medical workforce.

IMGs make up 56 per cent of our GPs and 53 per cent of the rural medical workforce. Yet they’re too often treated as a temporary fix, forced through a fragmented and costly maze of migration, registration and accreditation processes. Isolation, inadequate supervision and racism undermine retention in the communities that need doctors most.

Today at the public hearing for the Inquiry into the value of skilled migration to Australia, we called for streamlined, nationally consistent processes, reform of the 10-year moratorium, stronger rural retention support and an independent national health workforce planning body.

Thank you Dr Mahalekshmi Selvanathan for joining federal AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen at the hearing today.

10/09/2026

We have welcomed Ahpra’s decision to allow medical graduates to defer payment of their registration fees until after they start work as interns.

This is a common-sense reform that eases financial pressure during an already demanding transition from student to doctor, without compromising patient safety and regulatory standards.

A small administrative shift that will make a real difference to the experience of Australia’s future medical workforce.

Read more: https://www.ama.com.au/content/media-releases/Articles/2026/Ahpra-decision-on-deferred-payment-for-medical-graduates-welcomed.aspx

03/09/2026

The decision by the Coalition to align its policy with One Nation’s to***co excise policy defies both evidence and common sense and is the kind of masterplan dreamt up by big to***co executives.

Making ci******es more affordable is not the answer to tackling the illicit to***co trade and would undermine Australia’s world leading public health efforts to reduce smoking.

Lower cigarette prices will likely increase smoking rates, particularly among price-sensitive groups such as young people and people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, widening health inequities.

Read more:

The federal Coalition’s reckless proposal to slash to***co excise by 80 per cent and make vapes more accessible would undermine decades of public health efforts and could drive more Australians back to smoking, the Australian Medical Association said today. AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said ...

03/09/2026

"These are highly motivated doctors who want to train and serve their communities."

AMA Council of Doctors in Training Chair Dr Sanjay Hettige joined ABC Radio National's Health Report to discuss specialist training bottlenecks and the need to strengthen Australia's medical workforce.

🎧 Listen: ABC Radio National Health Report https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/healthreport/burnout-for-registrars-caught-in-a-training-bottleneck-/107090624

01/09/2026

"Medicare was built for a different era of healthcare."

AMA President-elect Dr Michael Bonning says it's time to Modernise Medicare so funding better reflects longer consultations and increasingly complex patient care.

Listen to the full interview on ABC Radio National. 👉🔗
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/australian-medical-association-has-a-new-president/107100774

01/09/2026

Announced at the AMA’s national conference on Saturday night, Professor Cassandra Szoeke has received the AMA Gold Medal.

A world-leading expert in women’s health, healthy ageing and sex-specific medicine, Professor Szoeke has been recognised for her pioneering research, clinical leadership and advocacy.

As Principal Investigator of Australia’s longest study of women’s health, her work has helped transform understanding of dementia, ageing and women’s health — shaping policy and care in Australia and internationally.

The award was announced at the gala dinner on Saturday night, and you can read more about Professor Cassandra Szoeke in our media release: https://www.ama.com.au/media/ama-gold-medal-goes-professor-cassandra-szoeke

31/08/2026

Congratulations to Dr Amandeep Hansra, recipient of the AMA’s 2026 President’s Award.

A Sydney-based GP, digital health leader and founder of Creative Careers in Medicine, Dr Hansra has been recognised for her outstanding contributions to digital health, medical innovation, doctors’ wellbeing and care for vulnerable communities.

Her work shows the impact doctors can have beyond the consulting room — shaping the future of healthcare through leadership, advocacy and innovation.

The award was announced at on Saturday night, and you can read more about Dr Hansra in our media release: https://www.ama.com.au/media/presidents-award-recognises-dr-amandeep-hansras-extraordinary-contribution-medicine

31/08/2026

Congratulations to our 2026 Doctor in Training of the Year, Dr Dayna Duncan!

A Northern Territory medical education registrar and final-year rural generalist trainee, Dr Duncan has been recognised for her outstanding leadership, advocacy and commitment to strengthening medical education in rural and remote communities.

Dr Duncan is the Vice President of AMA NT, demonstrating that doctors in training are capable of exceptional leadership at all levels of our profession.

The award was announced at on Saturday night, and you can read more about Dr Duncan in our media release: https://www.ama.com.au/media/northern-territory-medical-education-registrar-recognised-ama-doctor-training-year

31/08/2026

Congratulations Dr Sarah Lee who received the AMA Excellence in Healthcare Award, announced at our national conference gala dinner on Saturday night.

A Victorian anaesthetist and educator, Dr Lee has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to anaesthesia education, including founding ADVANCE, a global platform connecting clinicians through evidence-based discussion, research and shared learning.

What began as a local initiative is now helping clinicians across Australia and around the world stay informed, connected and adaptable, supporting better care for patients.

Read more about Dr Lee in our media release: https://www.ama.com.au/media/ama-honours-victoria-doctor-globally-leading-training-initiative

31/08/2026

Congratulations to Dr Daniel Byrne, who received the AMA Excellence in Healthcare Award, announced at our national conference gala dinner on Saturday night.

A Happy Valley GP with more than 30 years’ service, Dr Byrne has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to general practice and patient care.

From founding the ‘GP in the Hospital Program’ to championing better access to iron infusions in general practice, his work has helped drive lasting improvements across Australia’s health system.

Read more about Dr Byrne in our media release: https://www.ama.com.au/media/ama-recognises-happy-valley-gp-three-decades-extraordinary-service