Health Care and Medical Jobs in Central Australia
Famous for Uluru, the ‘Red Centre’ is Australia’s most unique natural wonderland - with beautiful desert landscapes, colourful outback characters and rich Aboriginal culture
Home to some of the world’s most stunning landscapes, Central Australia is largely known as the physical and spiritual heart of Australia. It is a popular tourism destination, with beautiful desert landscapes and impressive natural attractions such as the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, Finke Gorge, Uluru, Kings Canyon and Watarraka National Park.
Rich in Aboriginal culture, the Arrernte people are the traditional custodians of the lands Alice Springs is located on, having lived there for over 30,000 years. The Central Australia Region covers approximately 15 different indigenous language groups and a land area of 1 million square km.
Just a few hours' flight from all of Australia’s capital cities, and with over 29,000 residents, Alice Springs known as Mparntwe by the traditional owners, is a truly unique area to live and work.
Watch the sunrise from a hot air balloon, enjoy the swimming holes or meet Aboriginal artists in one of the many art galleries. For those who have a taste for adventure, explore the desert on camel or mountain bike or attend the world-famous Finke Desert Race, Parrtjima Festival of Light, Red Centre Nats or the Henley-on-Todd Regatta.
Many families are drawn to the area due to the convenience of schools, parks and activities for the kids. It is only short drive out of Alice Springs to experience some of the amazing locations for which the region is famed, including Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Standley Chasm in the West MacDonnell Ranges and Emily and Jessie Gaps, Trephina Gorge, Arltunga and Ruby Gap in the East MacDonnell Ranges. Camping, hiking and mountain biking are drawcards in the area and locals will share tips on best places to go to have a relaxing getaway after the work week has ended.
Three hours' drive from Uluru, Watarrka National Park is where you’ll find the mighty Kings Canyon - a breathtaking natural sanctuary with 300-metre-high sandstone walls, palm-filled crevices and stunning views.
Make the trek around the iconic Kings Canyon Rim Walk. Only 6 kilometres long, the path ends at the Harden of Eden, a picturesque rock hole adorned with lush plants and stunning views. Allow 3-4 hours for the walk, and don’t forget your water bottle.
One of the greatest natural wonders of the world, Uluru is a deeply spiritual place rich in ancient Aboriginal history. And at 348 metres high and over 550 million years old, Uluru is not only one of the world’s largest monoliths, but it’s also one of the oldest.
There are more than 100 culturally appropriate ways to experience what locals call ‘the heart of the red centre’. You can walk with a Traditional Owner, join a camel tour, take a self-drive or dine under a glittering blanket of stars.
But the best way to enjoy Uluru is either at sunrise or sunset. Watch in awe as Australia’s most beloved icon changes colours with the moving sun.
How to get there
You can travel to Central Australia by:
Alice Springs Airport has connecting flights to all of the Australian state capitals, excluding Canberra.
Book onto a Greyhound coach.
All the main roads to Alice Springs are sealed and well-maintained. Most journeys to and from Alice Springs involve hours or days of driving, taking in tourist attractions along the way, so planning your drive in advance noting distances between fuel stops and accommodation options is recommended.
From Alice Springs, you can experience The Ghan - one of the world’s most luxurious and memorable train journeys.
The Culture
With deep spiritual origins dating back more than 30,000 years Alice Springs (or Mpantwe) has an abundance of rich culture and history.
The town is recognised as one of the most diverse and accepting communities in the country and the 29,000 residents have come from far and wide. As the gateway to many central Australian gems including the iconic Uluru, Alice Springs has a large population of travellers. The town is vibrant and the locals are known for their friendly and relaxed approach to life.
Health
The Alice Springs Hospital has 209 beds and specialises in general and emergency medicine, surgical, maternity and paediatric services. The Alice Springs Hospital is an accredited and fully equipped teaching hospital offering a range of secondary, and some tertiary inpatient, outpatient and specialist services, including a 10 bed intensive care unit, and renal dialysis centre catering for more than 400 patients.
The hospital caters for more than 65,000 admissions annually and with almost 84 per cent of patients being Aboriginal it cares for some of the nation’s most vulnerable people, with high levels of morbidity and mortality, and many with conditions rarely seen elsewhere in the country, with disease burden and comorbidities being disproportionally high.
The medicine is incredibly diverse, complex and interesting with a prevalence of rheumatic heart disease, bronchiectasis, and chronic liver and renal disease, along with diabetes in a young population.
Primary and Public Health Care delivers Community Allied Health and Aged Care, Child and Family Health, Community Nursing, Oral Health, Prison Health and Environmental and Public Health. It also covers the management of remote health centres and the specialist outreach services to the centres.
The Mental Health Service provides a comprehensive range of integrated, community-based child, youth, adult and forensic services, including in-patient care in Alice Springs and remote care throughout Central Australia.
In addition, there are specialist outreach services provided to Central Australia and surrounding areas on a regular basis. The schedule is updated daily here.
Employment opportunities
The largest employer in Alice Springs is the Northern Territory Government, followed by the mining, pastoral and tourism industries.
Alice Springs is the central hub for many neighboring remote communities and travellers. Opportunities for career advancement in the region exist in a variety of fields from education, mining, tourism and administration through to health and social work.
Discover jobs in Central Australia or get in touch with our Central Australia Health Recruitment Team at Recruit.CentralAustraliaHealth@nt.gov.au or on 08 895 15558.
Property in Alice Springs
Alice Springs has a range of homes from character homes to newly built modern houses ready to rent or buy. For information on the real estate market in this area, check your favourite online real estate website for accommodation options.
Childcare and Education
Alice Springs has a wide range of primary, secondary and tertiary education schools for you to choose from - as well as childcare facilities.
To see a list of childcare services in Alice Springs, visit mychild.gov.au.
The Weather
A warm desert climate, Alice Springs experiences only two seasons, and is mainly dry all year round.
From May through to September sunshine and cool to cold mornings reign supreme with little rainfall and temperatures ranging from 2-20°C.
As October rolls in the temperatures begin to rise as high as 40°C by December and January. Rainfall becomes more frequent across the summer months with storm systems pushing into the Central Australia region from the monsoonal weather in the tropics, with rainfall comes lush wildflowers and blooming plants.
Testimonials
A great lifestyle goes with the Territory. Discover what the locals have to say about living in the heart of Australia
Greater career opportunity goes with the territory.
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