The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) welcomes the federal government’s announcement that grant applications have been opened for 10 new radiation oncology treatment centres across Australia. RANZCR is calling on governments to address current workforce issues to ensure these new centres are able to provide vital cancer care in regional and rural Australia for years to come. In the current climate of radiation oncologist shortages in regional and rural areas, strategies to support the recruitment and retention of these specialists will need to be in place. It is essential to adequately staff the new centres so that patients experience short waiting times and receive safe and quality care.