A survey conducted by The Courier yesterday discovered, out of 16 clinics, Ballarat Community Health Centre's Sebastopol practice was the only one with open books.

The finding comes as the Ballarat and District Division of General Practice urged the Federal Government to re-instate the city's District of Workforce Shortage classification.

Chief executive officer Andrew McPherson said the classification, revoked in October, was central to Ballarat's ability to recruit new doctors.

Without it, the division was also unable to apply for the Rural Other Medical Practitioners program giving non-vocationally recognised medical practitioners access to higher Medicare rebates, he said.

According to Carn Brae Clinic's Dr Frank Marton, non-vocationally registered doctors found private practice in Ballarat was not worth their while after the classification was removed.

He said without ROMPs they earned less than half the income of a vocationally registered GP.

"To make it attractive for new non-vocationally registered doctors, Ballarat needs ROMPs," he said.

Albury City, which has a population of about 30,000 people, is eligible for ROMPs.

Mr McPherson said he hoped to speak with Ballarat MHR Catherine King to discuss a push for re-classification and an application for the program.

Ms King said she was happy to meet with the division regarding the proposal.

Even if Ballarat was successful in gaining re-classification, however, there was no short-term fix for the doctor shortage, she said.

"You have got to have the doctors in the first place, and we're competing against every other area that's in the same position," she said.

"The Federal Government cut the number of GP places 10 years ago and it takes 10 years to train a doctor, so we're now suffering from that shortage country wide."

Yesterday's poll surveyed a total of 26 GP clinics across the district.

BCHC's Sebastopol practice, Beaufort Medical Practice, Springs Medical Centre in Duke St, Daylesford, Skipton Medical Practice and Springs Medical Centre in Trentham were the only centres taking new patients.

Ballarat retiree Keith Pitman urged patients to try bulk-billing clinics.

"I know overall there is a doctor shortage, but it's not quite as bad as depicted," he said.

Mr Pitman said his wife, Susan, waited just 10 minutes to see a doctor at the Eureka Medical Centre yesterday.

"I waited about an hour to see a specific doctor there ... but I was quite happy with it," he said.

"You can also be a bit cunning. I went in once at 7am and I was first cab off the rank."