The Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) welcomed the official launch of a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led Single Employer Model (SEM) trial in Charleville, describing it as a major step in growing and retaining the GP workforce in rural and remote Queensland, and strengthening community-controlled care.
The $2.4 million Commonwealth-funded trial will support GP registrars to train in the Charleville region through an innovative employment model led by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health organisation (ACCHO).
Delivered in partnership with Charleville and Western Areas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health (CWAATSICH), QAIHC, Acacia Country Practice and the South West Hospital and Health Service, the trial provides registrars with stable employment arrangements while embedding them in the ACCHO Model of Care. Central to this SEM model is CWAATSICH being the employee of the Registrars over their training placement.
The official launch was held at CWAATSICH on 25 February 2026 in Charleville and began with a Welcome to Country from Uncle Ray Robinson and Aunty Dawn Willett on behalf of the Bidjara people. Special presentations were given by Mike Pope, Assistant Secretary, Workforce Training Branch, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing; Mayor Shaun Radnedge, Murweh Shire Council; Dr Anthony Brown, CEO of South West Hospital and Health Service; CWAATSICH Chair Norman Burns; CWAATSICH CEO Sheryl Lawton and QAIHC Sector Development General Manager Greg Richards.
QAIHC Chairperson Dorothy Smith said the initiative builds on more than five decades of community-controlled healthcare delivery.
“ACCHOs have, for over 50 years, shown the benefit of providing care for our People and guided by our People,” she said.
“We are a critical part of the Queensland and national health system and in 2024/25 we delivered over a million episodes of care to over 150,000 clients in Queensland.
“This trial of the ACCHO-led Single Employer Model allows a longer-term training relationship and community engagement for our next generation of GPs for our sector. It demonstrates that providing care in rural and remote health is dependent upon strong local and regional partnerships.”
Ms Smith said the initiative aligned directly with QAIHC’s Strategic Plan ‘Now to Next’ to strengthen the ACCHO sector through investment in workforce, culture and community-led care.
Ms Lawton said the community was ready to welcome the next generation of doctors.
“We are excited to provide a welcoming experience for our new GP registrars, Dr Andrew Dalton and Dr Kate Cook, and have them learn from CWAATSICH’s Model of Care and the service we provide, which is driven by our local community,” she said.
“We have a history of building long-term relationships and connections with our doctors who have worked with us over the years, and we hope this innovative approach will attract the next generation of doctors for our region and the ACCHO sector.
“With the SEM, both Dr Dalton and Dr Cook know this is a journey where we can both plan and support their clinical and cultural skills.
“It is also showing Dr Dalton and Dr Cook that Charleville and other remote locations are places where you can live, learn and practice some of the most fulfilling careers in health.”
Mr Richards said the pilot reflected the strength and leadership of the community-controlled sector.
“In our Blueprint 2.0 and our Strategic Plan, we’ve been clear that strengthening regional partnerships is critical to building our future workforce,” he said.
“This pilot is about more than placing registrars - it’s about creating a training model grounded in community control, cultural safety and long-term relationships.
“ACCHOs are a coordinated and highly responsive part of the health system. It makes sense that GP training is embedded within our Model of Care.
“Our focus now is ‘Now to Next’ - building on more than 50 years of community control while adapting and refining how we attract, train and retain the next generation of GPs.”
The trial will see registrars undertake placements across CWAATSICH, the South West Hospital and Health Service, and local private general practice, building broad clinical experience while remaining embedded in the Charleville community. Outcomes from the trial will be evaluated to inform potential broader implementation of the Single Employer Model across the ACCHO sector.
For more information on QAIHC visit www.qaihc.com.au
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