High Pay, Higher Impact: The Ultimate Guide to AMS Locum Nursing & Midwifery

Are you a nurse or midwife looking to step away from the ward and fast-track your career? If you’ve been searching for remote nursing jobs in Australia, chances are you’ve come across Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS).

Working within an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) isn’t just “rural work”,  it’s a model built on self-determination, where the community owns the clinic and healthcare is designed to be culturally safe from the ground up.

For modern locums, AMS roles offer a rare trifecta: premium pay, professional autonomy, and genuinely meaningful work.

If you’ve been looking for a reason to pack your scrubs and head for the red dirt, here’s why many experienced nurses consider AMS locum life the gold standard.

The Locum Pay Packet: Premium Rates for Flexibility

One of the most common questions we hear is: What is an AMS nursing salary?
While money isn’t the only motivator, choosing the locum path in Indigenous health can be a very smart financial move.

The “Locum Premium”

In 2026, locum RNs and Midwives in the AMS sector often see base hourly rates higher than standard hospital award rates. This reflects both the clinical scope of practice and the ongoing workforce demand in remote and regional communities.

Minimal Living Expenses

One of the biggest financial advantages of AMS locum work is what you don’t pay for. In most placements, flights, accommodation, and utilities are provided. With major expenses covered, a significantly larger portion of your income can go straight into savings (or your next adventure).

Understanding Tax & Salary Packaging

At Jon & Jon, we work with specialist partners who can help you understand Living Away From Home Allowances (LAFHA) and salary packaging options, where applicable, within AMS clinics. While arrangements vary, the right advice can make a meaningful difference to your take-home pay.

One of the biggest myths about remote locum work is that you’ll be practising alone. In reality, AMS teams are often more collaborative than large metropolitan wards.

Working Alongside Aboriginal Health Practitioners

You’ll work closely with Aboriginal Health Practitioners (AHPs), your clinical peers and an essential source of local knowledge and cultural insight. This team-based model ensures care is community-led, respectful, and culturally safe.

A Strong Multidisciplinary Network

AMS clinics are supported by GPs, Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) workers, visiting allied health professionals, and regional clinical governance teams. As a locum, you’re never expected to operate without support.

Clinical Guidance in Remote Contexts

Many AMS locums use the CARPA Standard Treatment Manual, a nationally respected clinical guide designed specifically for remote and primary healthcare settings. You’re supported to practise confidently, without needing to know every local nuance on day one.

The '3-and-1' Lifestyle: Work Hard, Reset Harder

Burnout is a real concern in healthcare, especially in high-intensity environments. Many experienced AMS locums manage this by planning their roster patterns that prioritise recovery as much as work. A common approach is committing to a few weeks of focused clinical practice, followed by time away to reset.

Take Kowanyama, a vibrant community on the edge of the Mitchell River in Far North Queensland. LeeAnn, one of our locum nurses, spends three weeks immersed in community care through Apunipima Cape York Health Council, followed by a short reset break in a tropical hub like Cairns.

A weekend reset can make all the difference. LeeAnne shared these wonderful snaps from her weekend travels near Cairns while delivering essential nursing care in the community of Kowanyama.

The beauty of locum life is flexibility - the ability to swap red dust for the Great Barrier Reef, rainforest, or city life every few weeks to stay grounded and energised. (Roster patterns vary by clinic and contract, but balance is always part of the conversation.)

Professional Autonomy & Supporting Closing the Gap

In an AMS, nurses and midwives work at the top of their scope. You’re not just task-based; you’re trusted as a clinician, contributor, and collaborator.

More importantly, you’re working within the world’s oldest continuing cultures, supporting Closing the Gap through culturally safe, community-led healthcare. It’s challenging work, but for many locums, it’s also the most professionally fulfilling chapter of their career.

Essential Resources for AMS Locum Nurses & Midwives

If you’re exploring work in Indigenous health, these organisations and resources are invaluable:

• NACCHO – Peak body for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations
• CATSINaM – Peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives
• CRANAplus – 24/7 professional, mental health, and peer support for remote health workers
  

Ready to Pack Your Bags?

The Indigenous health sector needs adaptable, clinically confident nurses and midwives who are open to learning, listening, and working differently.

At Jon & Jon, we partner closely with ACCHOs across Australia to match locums with roles that align with their skills, values, and lifestyle goals - not just a vacancy.

If you’re curious about whether AMS locum work is right for you, we’d love to have a confidential, no-pressure conversation.

👉 Register with the Jon & Jon team today and explore your next meaningful move.