Surgeons in regional areas say robots capable of performing intricate medical procedures could bridge vast distances and benefit regional patients, but the cost of the equipment is too high.
Robots have the potential to reduce waiting lists and increase the number and types of procedures carried out in rural areas.
Dr Quentin Ralph said "You need a certain mass of people to support the number of cases needed to get a robot."
A single unit costs around $2.5 million, and that the technology is predominantly found in private hospitals.