Northern Territory Primary Health Network's new 'Health Workforce Needs Assessment 2025 – GP Workforce', a report that outlines "the critical challenges and opportunities" facing primary healthcare workforce development in the Northern Territory, has identified "urgent" needs in the system.

NT PHN, incorporating Rural Workforce Agency Northern Territory (RWA NT), published the report on Tuesday, providing an analysis of the GP workforce across the NT, highlighting "high vacancy rates, recruitment and retention challenges, and the need for place-based, culturally safe workforce solutions".

NT PHN chief executive Paul Connolly said the findings are both "a call to action and a roadmap for strengthening primary healthcare access" in the NT.

"The needs are urgent, and the stakes are high, but the opportunities for real, lasting change are within our reach," Mr Connolly said.

"This report is more than a snapshot, it's a commitment to working in genuine partnership with communities, health services, educators and government to grow and sustain a skilled, supported and locally grounded primary healthcare workforce."

Four strategic priorities were identified to guide future investment and policy: developing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GP workforce; enhancing career pathways to and through primary healthcare; building capacity to attract and retain the existing workforce; and developing locally responsive and sustainable models of care

The Health Workforce Needs Assessment 2025 – GP Workforce draws on workforce surveys, health service consultations and national data to inform its evidence-based recommendations. The findings show that remote communities continue to experience extreme GP shortages, with many relying on short-term locum placements due to high turnover and recruitment difficulties.

The report also highlights the need to improve training pathways, increase access to supervision and mentoring, and invest in social infrastructure such as housing, education and community support.