NSW Rural Doctor Network statistics show more than 40 per cent of rural GPs are now international medical graduates.

This in happening while the number of NSW rural GPs aged more than 55 increased from 476 in December 2008 to 512 at June 30 this year.

Until the next wave of domestically trained rural doctors bolsters the ranks of rural GPs, overseas-trained doctors will play a prominent role in supporting rural communities.

"What you have got is ageing Australians retiring and overseas-trained doctors coming in so that 40 per cent is increasing," NSW Rural Doctor Network chief executive Mark Lynch said.

The network assisted the recruitment of sufficient doctors during the past year to replace losses and lift the total number of NSW rural GPs by 72.

The net gain for the Hunter Rural Division was 13.

"That was pleasing because it was a greater increase than what we have had been getting for quite a while," Mr Lynch said.

Of the 208 GPs working the rural parts of the Hunter, 91 are overseas trained.

"Most of them (overseas trained doctors) were doctors who had worked in hospitals for at least a year and had obtained their full registration by doing the Australian Medical College exams," Mr Lynch said.

Almost 350 overseas doctors applied online with the network last year to work in rural areas.

Of those, 158 were considered suitable to begin the lengthy recruitment process.

English proficiency and the country where each doctor trained were among key factors that determined whether an applicant was suitable.

"The fact is, we want to get as many doctors out into rural areas as we can, but we can't take risks,"Mr Lynch said.