Sydney, Nov 26 - Advertisements ran in local newspapers Thursday offering a finder's fee of 3,000 Australian dollars ($2,750) for anyone who can persuade an overseas doctor to work in Australia.

The advertisements were placed by the Australian Medical Association (AMA), which hopes to lure 500 doctors to meet a local shortage and says the money is worth it.

"There are many communities in Australia in need of a doctor," the AMA's Gary Geelhoed said.

Around a quarter of Australia's doctors were trained abroad.  (dpa)