The only doctor in a remote Australian town is leaving his job: they plan to pay a new hire $428,000

The only doctor in Julia Creek, one of Australia's most remote towns, is leaving his job. The Associated Press reports that the town, which has a population of just 500, will soon be leaving its job.

Julia Creek is a 17-hour drive from Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, and a seven-hour drive from Townsville, the nearest major city. Because of the remoteness of the area, the city government is offering doctors who want to work there a salary of up to 680,000 Australian dollars (about 428,000 US dollars). In addition, the candidate will be provided with free housing and a company car.

Challenges and demands

A doctor who wants to work in Julia Creek should be prepared not only for the high salary, but also for the specific problems of the town. The local climate is famous for its scorching heat and tropical insects. Therefore, a candidate who agrees to work here must be patient and adaptable to nature.

Why is this job so important?

The town's current doctor, Adam Lowes, has been working here since 2022 and earns a salary of 500 thousand Australian dollars (315 thousand US dollars). According to him, life in Julia Creek is peaceful.

Lowes explains how he ended up in the town:
"One day my mother-in-law sent me a news link with the headline 'The Half a Million Dollar Job That No One Needs.' The first thought that came to my mind when I saw it was, 'Where is Julia Creek?'"

There has been no doctor there for 15 years, which is a huge responsibility for a new doctor.

Opportunity for new candidates

This offer is a unique opportunity for doctors who want to earn a lot of money and are ready for extreme conditions. If a suitable doctor is not found for this position, the town's residents could be left without medical services for several more years.

It is not yet known how the process for a new doctor will work, but the Julia Creek government and local residents are hopeful that a suitable candidate will be found for the position. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”