Complete Guide to Becoming a Locum Doctor in Australia

Locum medicine is one of the most flexible and financially rewarding career paths available to Australian doctors. But the transition from permanent employment to locum work involves more than just registering with an agency.

This guide covers everything you need to know — from the documents you need in order, to how to structure your finances, to what your first year as a locum actually looks like.

A locum doctor fills a temporary medical position — covering leave, vacancies, or surge demand — at a hospital, clinic, or health service. Locum work can be short-term (a single shift or a week of cover) or long-term (a six-month contract).

In Australia, locum work is common across all specialties and settings, from metropolitan teaching hospitals to remote Aboriginal health services. The demand for locums has grown significantly as the permanent medical workforce has struggled to keep pace with population growth and the complexity of healthcare delivery.

All doctors working in Australia must hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This applies regardless of whether you are working as a permanent employee or a locum.

Check your registration includes:

• Current registration status (not lapsed or conditional)
• The correct registration type for your role (general, specialist, or limited)
• No outstanding conditions that would restrict your practice

AHPRA registration is national — there is no separate state registration required to work in WA, NT, or any other state. If your registration is current, you can work anywhere in Australia.

Renewal. AHPRA registration renews annually on 30 September. If you are starting locum work mid-year, check your renewal date and ensure you have completed your CPD requirements.

Medical indemnity insurance is mandatory for all doctors practising in Australia. As a locum, you need to ensure your policy covers locum work specifically — some policies exclude it or require an endorsement.

The main providers in Australia:

• Avant Mutual
• MDA National
• Medical Protection Society (MPS)

When comparing policies, check:

• Whether locum work is covered as standard or requires an add-on
• The scope of cover (claims-made vs occurrence-based)
• Whether the policy covers you for the specialties and settings you plan to work in
• Run-off cover provisions if you later leave medicine or retire

Most agencies, including AU Locums Direct, require evidence of current indemnity cover before placing you in a role.

Hospitals and health services require a standard set of documents before you can start a locum placement. Having these ready in advance means you can accept placements quickly when they arise.

Standard requirements:

• AHPRA registration certificate (current)
• Medical indemnity certificate of currency
• Working with Children Check (state-specific — you may need one for each state you work in)
• National Police Clearance (within 12 months for most hospitals)
• Immunisation records (hepatitis B, influenza, COVID-19, and others as required)
• CPR/BLS certificate (current — usually within 12 months)
• ALS2 certificate (required for many ED and rural roles)
• Curriculum vitae with full employment history
• Referee contacts (usually two clinical referees)

Some hospitals also require:

• Credentialing documentation for specific procedures
• Evidence of specialty training or fellowship
• Occupational health assessment

The credentialing process varies by hospital. Public hospitals in WA, NT, VIC and QLD typically use a standardised credentialing framework, which makes the process more consistent than in some other states.

This is the step most new locums underestimate. How you structure your locum income has a significant impact on your tax position and long-term financial outcomes.

The main options:

Sole trader. The simplest structure — you invoice hospitals or agencies directly as an individual. Income is taxed at your marginal rate. No setup costs, but no tax planning flexibility.

Company. A proprietary limited company can employ you and pay you a salary, retaining profits at the corporate tax rate (25% for small companies) rather than your marginal rate. Requires an accountant and some administration, but can produce significant tax savings at higher income levels.

Trust. A discretionary trust can distribute income to family members in lower tax brackets, further reducing the overall tax burden. More complex to set up and administer, but widely used by high-earning locums.

Superannuation. As a locum, you are responsible for your own superannuation contributions. The compulsory employer contribution does not apply when you are self-employed. Most financial advisers recommend contributing at least 11% of income to super, and many locums contribute more to take advantage of concessional contribution caps.

Get advice early. The right structure depends on your income level, family situation, and long-term plans. An accountant who works with medical professionals will pay for themselves many times over.

Most locum placements in Australia are filled through specialist medical recruitment agencies. Registering with an agency gives you access to placements that are not advertised publicly, and a recruiter who can match you with roles that suit your availability and preferences.

What to look for in an agency:

• Specialisation in medical recruitment (not general healthcare)
• Knowledge of your specialty and the hospitals you want to work in
• Transparent communication about rates and conditions
• A track record of placing doctors in roles similar to yours
• Responsiveness — locum placements often move quickly

AU Locums Direct specialises in emergency medicine, psychiatry, and GP placements across WA, NT, VIC and QLD. We work with doctors at all career stages, from registrars doing their first locum blocks to experienced consultants building a long-term locum career.

Locum pay is structured differently from permanent employment. Understanding the mechanics helps you plan your finances and avoid surprises.

Daily rates vs hourly rates. Consultants are typically paid a flat daily rate. Registrars and RMOs are more commonly paid hourly, with loadings for evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays.

GST. If you are operating through a company or as a sole trader with annual turnover above $75,000, you will need to register for GST and add 10% to your invoices. Most hospitals and agencies are set up to handle this.

Payment terms. Most agencies pay within 7–14 days of receiving a signed timesheet. Confirm payment terms before starting a placement.

Entitlements. Regional and remote placements often include flights, accommodation, and sometimes a vehicle. These are provided by the hospital or health service, not the agency. Confirm what is included before accepting a placement.

The first year as a locum involves a learning curve that goes beyond clinical work. Here is what most new locums experience:

The first few months are administrative. Getting your documents in order, setting up your business structure, completing hospital credentialing — this takes time. Start the process before you need your first placement.

Placements build on each other. Once you have completed a placement at a hospital, returning is much easier. The credentialing is already done, the staff know you, and you know the systems. Many locums develop a regular circuit of hospitals they return to repeatedly.

Flexibility is real, but requires planning. Locum work gives you genuine control over your schedule, but that control requires active management. You need to be proactive about finding placements, managing your availability, and maintaining your compliance documents.

Income is variable. Some months will be busier than others. Building a financial buffer — typically three to six months of expenses — gives you the flexibility to be selective about placements rather than accepting anything that comes up.

The community is smaller than you think. The locum medical community in WA, NT, VIC and QLD is tight-knit. Your reputation — for reliability, clinical quality, and being easy to work with — travels quickly. Show up on time, communicate proactively, and do good work.

Do I need separate registration for each state? No. AHPRA registration is national. You can work in any state or territory with a single registration.

Can I do locum work while still employed permanently? Yes, with your employer's permission. Many doctors do locum shifts on their days off or during annual leave. Check your employment contract for any restrictions on outside work.

How do I handle gaps between placements? This is where your financial buffer matters. Most experienced locums plan their year in advance and rarely have significant gaps. Your agency can help you identify upcoming placements and plan your availability accordingly.

What if a placement does not work out? It happens occasionally. Communicate with your agency as early as possible if there is a problem. A good agency will work to resolve the situation and find you an alternative placement.

• GP Locum Jobs across WA, NT, VIC & QLD — 34 active GP roles including rural, FIFO and remote positions
• Emergency Medicine Locum Jobs — FACEM consultant and registrar roles across Perth metro and regional WA
• Psychiatry Locum Jobs — Consultant and registrar positions at Graylands Hospital and NT Health
• FACEM Locum Jobs WA — Detailed guide to FACEM rates, credentialing and placement timelines
• Locum Doctor Pay Rates Australia — Current rate benchmarks by specialty and location
• AHPRA Registration & Credentialing Guide — Step-by-step credentialing checklist for locum doctors

The transition to locum work is straightforward once you have the right foundations in place. Most doctors who make the move do not go back.

AU Locums Direct can help you find your first placement and guide you through the process. Register as a doctor to get started, contact us to discuss your situation, or browse current listings to see what is available right now.