READY TO FIND YOUR NEXT LOCUM JOB OPPORTUNITY?
Definition of a Locum Doctor
Locum doctors are interim doctors who make up for the shortfall in working hours or availability of medical staff and doctors, either at a GP practice or a hospital.
Just as there are substitute or fill-in teachers that make up for the absence of full-time teachers, in the same way, locum doctors play a pivotal role in healthcare.
To understand it in more detail, imagine a doctor working at a hospital is on a month’s leave. During this period, a locum doctor will be hired to cater to the patients and fill the void.
In another scenario, a locum may be hired for a couple of days or even months until a practice or hospital hunts for a fitting replacement for a permanent doctor.
There are several qualified doctors in Australia who take on the role of locum doctors. The General Medical Council reports that there was a 6% increase in locum doctors between the periods 2013 and 2017. Of all the major metropolitan cities in Australia, locum doctors Sydney is deemed as one of the best spots to work as a locum.
This is mainly due to the healthcare system of New South Wales, boasting world-class facilities that attract talent from all across the globe who are skilled in leading-edge procedures.
However, the majority of locum doctor jobs are found in the rural and regional areas on the outskirts of Melbourne. If you’re looking for job opportunities in remote locations, this is the door that will get you there.
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Benefits of Choosing Locum Work
Locum agency doctors can benefit from various positives by switching to this role in Australia. Here are a few of them:
Flexibility in Schedule
Locum doctors can work in diverse settings, from private practices to hospitals and so on. You also have the opportunity to work in a range of different specialties, such as emergency medicine, family medicine, or general medicine.
Not only does this enable you to achieve experience in varied fields, but you can also gain new skills.
Apart from that, as a locum doctor, you also have the freedom to explore new locations. You can either choose big cities and work as a locum doctor Melbourne, or pick a more regional location.
Additionally, you can choose the number of hours or days you wish to work, introducing an excellent way to make some extra income.
Exposure to Diverse Medical Settings
Locum doctor jobs in remote, regional, and rural Australia form a large section of the country. Your locum placement could lead you to the rainforests of North Queensland, the West Australian desert, Tasmanian farming towns, the indigenous communities in the country, or joining the locum doctors Adelaide.
Besides the variety of locations and environments, you can also access an extensive range of facilities, along with modern hospitals, general medical care, and specialist staff.
The locum doctor service also encompasses the opportunity to practice all kinds of medicine, build community relationships, guide young and old patients through their treatment, and become part of a competent multi-disciplinary team.
Competitive Compensation
The competitive salaries in Australia and high standards of practice make Australia one of the best places on the globe to be a doctor. Generally, the hourly rates of locum doctor salary range between $120 to $400 per hour.
This translates to $1000 to $3000 per day, the annual equivalent of which would be $250,000 to $750,000 or more. The difference in salary earned by locum doctors depends on their individual experience, specialty, and the location of the hospital they’re working at.
Challenges Faced by Locum Doctors
As with every other type of job, going down the path of becoming a locum doctor in Australia comes with its fair share of challenges, as mentioned below:
Uncertainty
The prime disadvantage of choosing the locum path is the lack of assurance. As is the case with any self-employed role, locum doctors can never be sure that the workload they acquire will meet their expectations or that the roles they get hired for will pay the rates they expect.
Adapting to New Environments
Traveling to different destinations, such as Melbourne, Sydney, or locum doctor Perth, which is a given for this role, may not sit well with everyone. If you don’t like traveling or staying away from home for extended periods, locum jobs can be a burden if the only available jobs are in different areas of the country.
Managing Different Healthcare Settings
Locum doctors are hired to fill vacancy gaps and may be shifted across departments or teams without warning to maintain workflow on behalf of regular staff. This can be exhausting, preventing you from falling into a comfortable routine.
Moreover, there are no sufficient educational or clinical supervisory services for these roles. Hence, finding learning opportunities, mentorship, and support to navigate diverse healthcare settings can be challenging.
Licensing and Certification Requirements
If you are aiming to start your professional locum practice in Australia, keep reading to find out how you can reach the starting point for this role.
Australian Medical Licensing Process for Locum Doctors
There are four essential documents you must have before locuming in Australia. These include:
- Medical registration – You need either a Specialist or General registration with AHPRA.
- Legal permit to work in Australia – It’s vital that you’re a permanent resident in the country or an Australian citizen. In case you’re a temporary resident, then you should carry an appropriate visa to work as a locum in Australia.
- Medical indemnity insurance – Almost all public practices and hospitals will provide insurance if you’re on their payroll. However, it’s still highly recommended that you sign up for indemnity insurance coverage to prepare for the worst. If your name is not going to be on the payroll and you’re planning to work as a contractor, then it’s necessary to ensure you’re fully insured.
- Prescriber number and provider number – In some cases, a
Medicare Provider Number is required and involves adding another location to your existing Provider Number. For some positions, a Prescriber Number may be needed instead.
Necessary Certifications and Documents For Locum Positions In Various Regions
The exact number and requirement of certifications and documents for a particular role varies by state, hospital, or region you’re working in.
However, the essentials that are demanded most frequently to determine your eligibility include your current resume, medical registration papers, driver’s license, visa, references, specialist certifications, and passport.
How to Find Locum Doctor Opportunities?
Unfamiliarity with the Australian healthcare system is a major reason why newcomers in the country may find the job-seeking process a bit overwhelming. Even if you’re already living in the country, opting for a change in your current job is no piece of cake.
To simplify this process, here are a few tips and tactics to assist you in your search for locum employment in Australia:
Work With a Locum Recruitment Agency
Partnering with a locum recruitment agency is a surefire way to find the locum doctor position of your preference. Recruitment agencies act as a middleman between job seekers and employers.
For instance, if you’re looking for a locum role in Australia, working with a recruitment agency like
Health Recruiters would be an excellent option. These agencies work hard to locate locum opportunities for you across the country.
A trusted recruitment agency does more than just lay the groundwork for job hunting. They ensure the credibility of each position before sharing it with candidates. Furthermore, they offer coaching and guidance on conducting themselves during interviews so that no opportunity goes to waste due to a lack of preparation.
Exploring Online Platforms
Online job platforms serve as the hub for recruiters and employers to promote locum opportunities that can be browsed by individuals looking for these jobs. In addition, utilizing these spaces can assist you in compiling information that can support your interviews or job applications.
Besides that, exploring online platforms for locum jobs is a helpful practice as it can allow you to gather insights into the locum job market trends and give you an overview of the typical salary range for this role.

Networking With The Medical Community
Networking allows you to build connections with influential people in the healthcare industry. There are several ways you can do this:
- Attend relevant seminars, conferences, or workshops for locum doctors Brisbane. You may meet professionals from different specialties who can share advice on how to join their field of expertise.
- Attending social events in different locations across Australia, such as weddings or parties. These events are great for connecting with potential employers.
Tips for a Successful Locum Doctor Career
There are numerous people who want to become a locum doctor in Australia, but not many understand that it takes a certain type of attitude and traits to be considered a good locum doctor.
Here’s a look into these traits that will help you succeed in your locum medical career:
Build a Strong Professional Network
The importance of building a professional network when working as a locum doctor in Australia cannot be stressed enough.
The majority of health services hire locums, so connecting with other healthcare professionals and sharing your experience with them is key to finding future job opportunities effortlessly. Moreover, it keeps you updated with the best practices and latest trends in your field.
Adaptability
If there are presently no job opportunities in your area, then you may be required to move to another city or state in the country where locum doctors are required. In these circumstances, adaptability will be your strongest ally.
Not only does it enable you to adjust to a new working environment without any hassle, but it also leaves a positive impression at your new workplace. This is beneficial for establishing positive and long-term relationships with your patients and co-workers.
Create a Balance
As suggested earlier, a locum doctor job comes with transitions in the workplace, sometimes between hospitals and sometimes between cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, etc.
While things may not be exactly as they were in your previous role, creating a balance between your previous role and practice style is vital.
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PRACTICE ON YOUR OWN TERMS
Locum opportunities have incredible benefits for professionals, facilities and patients. Whether you want to explore diverse care settings, enhance your clinical skills, or augment your income, a locum job can get you there.