Enjoy the many benefits to be gained from locum work.

Locum work offers Consultant Specialists, Registrars, GPs and Resident Medical Officers many rewards. Here we answer the questions we’re most often asked by doctors:

Where are the locum jobs in Australia?
Our job network extends all around Australia, in capital cities, regional centres and rural settings. The majority of roles are available in public or private hospitals, with some available in medical practices and corporate settings. Once you are registered with us, we can supply you with a full list of available positions.

Do you arrange overseas placements?
Most of the positions we offer are within Australia, although from time to time, roles have come up in East Timor, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and New Zealand.

Who pays me?
You are paid directly by the hospital or healthcare facility where the locum position is located.

Do I get paid via the hospital payroll or as a contractor?
This depends upon the method the hospital or health care facility prefers to use. If you are an employee, it will be your responsibility to submit your time sheet etc, and you can expect to be paid around 2-3 weeks after the time you start. If you are being paid as a contractor, you will be required to supply your Australian Business Number (ABN). Payments can take longer as a contractor.

How do I obtain an Australian Business Number (ABN)?
If you do not have an ABN, you can apply for one at the Australian Business Register website, www.abr.gov.au.

Do I need to have medical indemnity?
Some locum positions include medical indemnity, however we strongly urge you to always check beforehand if cover is provided, and to what extent. Even if indemnity cover is in place, we recommend that you also take out your own cover.

I am from New Zealand. How do I obtain registration in Australia?
This will depend upon your registration and visa status. More information can be obtained from each state and territory medical board. Please refer to our links for further information.

I hold medical registration in New South Wales. How do I obtain registration in another state?
You can do this by contacting the medical boards in the state or territory in which you would like to work, and completing the appropriate mutual recognition forms. Whilst we are happy to point you in the right direction to find out what you need to do, each board requires that you complete your documentation personally. 

How quickly can I obtain locum work?
Once you are registered and we receive all required documentation, we can begin to look for a position for you immediately. How quickly you can begin working will depend upon whether a suitable position is listed for you that is in line with your qualifications, experience and availability.

Is accommodation available?
Generally yes, however please check with us beforehand.

How am I notified about jobs that come up?
We will notify you about available locum jobs by telephone, email or SMS. We also list jobs on our website. Current listings can be accessed here.

Will the hospital or healthcare service pay for my travel?
The locum arrangements will specify whether travel costs are included. In many cases, hospitals do cover travel costs however it is important to check this point with us.

What can I expect to earn as a locum?
Attractive pay rates are offered for locum work. Many doctors enjoy the simplicity of turning up and doing their locum, without the complication of overhead costs usually associated with private practice. To gain an idea of what might be offered for the type of locum work you are interested in, visit our job board where the remuneration is listed for each locum position.

Why would I want to do locum work?
There are many reasons for choosing to do locum work. These include being able to:

• Work in a different environment
• Help a community that may otherwise not have access to clinical services
• Fit work around study or other commitments
• See Australia with placements available in capital cities, and throughout regional and rural Australia
• Expand your résumé with additional clinical experience
• Supplement your income without having to worry about many of the overhead costs usually associated with private practice.

Does On Call Locums take part of my earnings?
No, On Call Locums does not take any part of your earnings.

How many referees do I need?
Most hospitals or health care facilities will ask for a minimum of two referees, usually from a supervisor or colleague who has worked with you in the previous six months.

Do I need a provider number when I locum?
This depends upon the job and the State or Territory in which it is based. We can let you know if this will be required.

How do I obtain details about the job?
You can find out more from the job description on our website, or contact us and we will do our best to find out the answer to any specific query.

Why should I use On Call Locums?
With our extensive connections with Australia’s hospitals and healthcare services, we can help you find locum work that fits your interests, qualifications and schedule, saving you time and effort. We do all we can to streamline the administrative aspects of your placement, and can help with information and resources so you can make the most of your placement.

If a hospital pulls out of the locum before it begins, will I still be paid?
Unfortunately, from time to time, a hospital does cancel the locum before it begins. If this occurs, it does not have an obligation to pay.

What have other doctors had to say about doing locum work?
On Call Locums has arranged thousands of placements over the past two decades. Many doctors have enjoyed the flexibility and stimulation that the locum work has provided, and also found it highly satisfying to help communities that might otherwise be without clinical services. We’ve placed doctors in remote settings where they have helped care for indigenous Australians; we’ve placed other doctors in urban settings where the demand for doctors outstripped local availability. All over Australia and even into East Timor, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and New Zealand, we’ve been able to place Consultant Specialists, Registrars, General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers into interesting positions that have served a local community well.

On Call Locums has assisted with thousands of placements for doctors, in either a locum or permanent capacity. Contact us if you would like to find out how we can help facilitate a successful placement for you.