A new Indigenous-led training initiative is aiming to attract more health professionals to regional Queensland.

The First Nations-led Single Employer Model (SEM) trial, based in Charleville in South West Queensland, is the first to be led and delivered by an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.

Partners on the trial include the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) and Charleville and Western Areas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health (CWAATSICH).

Charleville and Western Areas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health CEO, Sheryl Lawton, said her organisation is excited to provide a welcoming experience for new GP registrars and have them learn from CWAATSICH's Model of Care and the service they provide their local community.

"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," Ms Lawton said.

"Working in partnership with South West HHS and the private sector Acacia Country Practice, will enable our new GP registrars to experience a broad cross section of the community which will continue to build on existing pathways of collaboration and understanding of health care in rural remote regions within a culturally safe environment.

"With supporting GP Registrars under the SEM trial, we have an opportunity to ensure that they are given that opportunity to work and learn from our Community."

The trial will see registrars receive training placements with CWAATSICH, South West Hospital and Health Service and the local private GP practice, Acacia Community Practice, with the trial guaranteeing income and entitlements - such as annual leave, parental leave, sick leave and other benefits - comparable to hospital‑based medical training.

Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council chairperson, Dorothy Smith, said CWAATSICH and QAIHC are partners in the project and understand building the next generation of GPs is about true investment in partnership with community.

"ACCHOs have, for over 50 years, shown the benefit of providing care for our People and guided by our People," Ms Smith 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.

"Our staff, including our GPs, also see the value in our Model of Care and the strong understanding of culture, teamwork and prevention that is supported.

"We consistently see in the annual RACGP General Practice: Health of the Nation report that GPs who work in ACCHOs remained committed, and have a higher degree of satisfaction in their career."

The Charleville trial will also support GPs in training to build a deeper understanding of the ACCHO Model of Care and the importance of cultural safety and connection with the First Nations community.

"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 is also CWAATSICH understanding that providing care in rural and remote health is dependent upon their local and regional partners," Ms Smith said.

"This trial is in line with QAIHC's Strategic Vision of strengthening our sector, investing in workforce, culture, and community-led care for generations to come."

The federal government has committed $2.4 million to the trial to support up to six general practice and rural generalist registrars to complete their training in the Charleville region.

It forms part of a federal commitment to expand SEM trials across Australia to find new and innovative employment models to attract and retain doctors in rural and remote regions.

Federal Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Rebecca White, said more doctors need to be attracted to rural and regional Queensland to provide high quality and essential primary healthcare services in the area.

"Right now, Charleville relies on telehealth and fly in, fly out services. This trial offers the local community increased access to primary health care and continuity of care," Ms White said.

"I thank the First Nations health organisations for their hard work, expertise and commitment to making training and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in rural general practice an easier option.

"Making it easier for junior doctors to work and train in regional Queensland while developing an exciting GP career means more people living in this area will be able to see a doctor close to home."

The government said outcomes of the trial will be evaluated to inform any broader application of the Single Employer Model across the ACCHO sector to attract and retain doctors where they are needed the most.