With the co-operation of other stakeholders, RDA(NSW) is at the forefront in seeking solutions to the current rural workforce shortage. Activities range from those targeted towards high school students, through to GP retention grants including Anaesthetic and Obstetric Incentive Grants. These are in addition to CME/locum subsidies, Practice Incentive Payment bonuses, up-skilling grants of several thousand dollars, and remote area recruitment grants for removal and set-up expenses.

The executive meets directly with the Health Minister, and has been able to establish a $3.5 million training scheme for procedural general practice, as well as being involved in the statewide rural health initiative.

RDA (NSW) has a regular newsletter circulating to members, and organisations and individuals strategic to the role of rural medical practice. Topics covered are relevant to rural doctors, with a strong focus on workforce and financial sustainability issues.

RDA (NSW) promotes the Rural Doctors Settlement Package which primarily sets out the conditions and fees for providing care to emergency and public inpatients. This package has had a major stabilizing influence on rural public hospital services in the state. It is regarded highly by both members and NSW Health.

The Executive of RDA(NSW) consists of up to ten rural doctors from across the State, elected annually at an AGM which is at the end of each November or in the first week of December. Each quarter the RDA (NSW) executive meets with senior NSW Health executives to resolve conflicts between doctors and hospitals that have arisen in the interim. These meetings also allow high level discussions with NSW Health around factors influencing workforce trends in the state.