From January, if a new doctors works for at least half of the length of their degree in a rural or remote council area, 100 percent of their debt will be paid for by the Morrison Government.

For a graduation nurse the length of time will be approximately one year.

And under changes to the Distribution Priority Area classification for larger towns such as Griffith and Leeton, it will also become significantly easier to recruit healthcare professionals with 100 percent of costs covered for those who remain in either town for the full length of the degree and half the HELP debt covered for half that length of time.

Federal Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie said the DPA expansion would mean more regional and rural communities would have access to a GP in the short term.

"More rural and regional areas will be able to utilise the DPA system when recruiting doctors for their region, whether they be those who are wanting to move here from overseas or those young doctors who accepted a place in return for working in a regional area," Dr Gillespie said.

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CEO of MyPrac and YourHealth Griffith Keith Fletcher said it had been 'really tough' trying to recruit healthcare professionals to the regions in recent years.

"What the government is trying to do is address and respond to the shortages facing regional healthcare," Mr Fletcher said.

"Any assistance is welcomed to remove barriers and hesitancies doctors may have when considering a rural placement.

"These new incentives are a big help to healthcare in the regions, which has been hit really hard by this pandemic."

General Manager of Leeton Shire Council said that the incentive program was 'very good news'.

"I am absolutely delighted to hear about this new incentive program, it is long overdue," Mrs Kruger said.

"The regions deserve ready access to quality medical staff and it is really time to make sure our existing medical professionals aren't carrying too much of a heavy load."

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