What Do I Need to Start Working as a Locum in Australia? | Jon & Jon Medical

Quick Answer

To start working as a locum in Australia, you need current AHPRA registration (general or specialist), a completed credentialing pack, medical indemnity insurance, and working rights in Australia. Doctors must be at least PGY2. Once you have these in place, registering with a locum agency like Jon & Jon Medical is typically the fastest way to find your first placement.

What is locum work and why choose it?

A locum is a healthcare professional who temporarily fills staffing gaps in hospitals, clinics, aged care facilities, or medical practices. By filling these short-term gaps caused by leave, illness, or peak demand, locums play a critical role in the Australian healthcare system. From the red sands of the outback to the bustling coastal cities, the demand for healthcare professionals is constant.

Many clinicians choose locum work for:

• Greater flexibility
• Higher earning potential
• Travel opportunities
• Better work-life balance
• Exposure to different healthcare environments
  
  

This variety prevents burnout and sharpens clinical skills as you adapt to new teams and patient demographics. Whether you're a doctor or nurse, working as a locum in Australia offers a unique blend of career flexibility, financial reward, and the opportunity to experience the diverse landscapes of the continent.

For many doctors and nurses, the move into locum work is driven by a desire to reclaim control over their schedules. Instead of being tied to a single hospital or clinic, locums choose when and where they work, allowing for a better work-life balance or the chance to supplement income during leave periods.

This guide walks through everything you need to start working as a locum in Australia, whether you're a doctor moving from a permanent role, a nurse looking for flexible shifts, or an overseas-trained clinician exploring your options.

What are the mandatory requirements for locum in Australia?

Before you can pick up your first shift, there are several non-negotiable legal and professional requirements you must satisfy. The Australian healthcare system is strictly regulated to ensure patient safety, and as a locum, you are held to the same high standards as permanent staff.

1. AHPRA Registration

AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) registration is the foundation of locum work in Australia. Without it, you cannot practise. Period.

For locum roles specifically, you need general registration or specialist registration. Provisional or limited registration is not sufficient for the independent nature of locum practice. For overseas-trained doctors and nurses, AHPRA has specific pathways depending on your qualifications and country of origin. The process takes time, but once approved, all locum opportunities across the country become available to you.

2. Eligibility: Who Can Work as a Locum?

There are a few eligibility rules worth knowing before you begin:

3. Credentialing Documents

Credentialing is the process by which hospitals and clinics verify that you are qualified, safe, and legally authorised to practise. Every facility you work in will require a credentialing pack, and gathering these documents upfront will save you significant time and stress.

The standard documents required across Australia include:

The exact requirements can vary slightly between states and individual facilities. Some hospitals also require completion of online training modules (such as eMedical Courses) before commencing a placement. A good locum agency will guide you through each facility's specific requirements and help manage the paperwork on your behalf.

4. Medical Indemnity Insurance

Medical indemnity insurance is not optional: it is a legal requirement for all practising doctors in Australia, and it is a condition of AHPRA registration. It is often recommended to have a coverage of up to $20 million. Before starting any locum placement, you need to understand exactly what level of cover you have and whether it's appropriate for locum work.

Employer-Indemnified vs. Non-Employer-Indemnified Practice

Your situation depends on how the placement is structured:

• Employer-indemnified: If you are placed on a hospital's payroll (PAYG), the hospital's state medical indemnity policy typically covers you for that engagement. Some hospitals also extend this to agency contractors, but this varies by hospital and state, and should always be confirmed before you start.

• Non-employer-indemnified: Many states and hospitals require you to have your own indemnity insurance. In this case, you should hold a policy in your own name. Reputable providers include Avant, MIPS, and MDA National.

5. Engagement Structure and Tax Obligations

How you are paid as a locum depends on your personal circumstances, your entity setup, and the structure of each placement. There are three main engagement pathways used across the industry:

The Three Engagement Pathways

• PAYG: You are engaged as a casual employee. Tax and superannuation are handled at source. Simple to set up, no company structure required. Speak to a J&J team member for details on whether this applies to your placement.

• Pty Ltd / Company / Trust: Your registered company or trust entity invoices the agency or client directly. This is a company-to-company arrangement and is the preferred structure for doctors operating as independent contractors. Your entity is responsible for its own tax, super, and insurances. Speak to your accountant about whether this is right for you.

• Contractor Management Company (with Salary Packaging): In certain placements, particularly those involving accommodation, travel, or meal allowances where you are staying away from your usual home base, a contractor management arrangement may be available. This can allow eligible allowances to reduce your taxable income through salary packaging. A J&J team member can advise whether this option applies to your placement.

Registering with a Locum Agency

Registering with a locum agency is the most efficient way to find placements, navigate credentialing, and manage the logistics of locum work, particularly when you're starting out. A good agency handles the job search, contract negotiations, credentialing coordination, and (for rural or remote roles) travel and accommodation arrangements.

Read our blog on how to choose a locum agency that fits your needs.

At Jon & Jon Medical, we connect doctors and nurses with locum opportunities across metropolitan hospitals, regional centres, and remote communities throughout Australia. Our team handles the administrative heavy lifting so you can focus on the clinical work.

We specialise in medical recruitment and understands the nuances of healthcare credentialing, and provide transparent information on pay rates, contracts, and working conditions. We have a dedicated team of candidate managers that can guide you through the entire process of credentialing once you have confirmed your locum placement.

A Note for Nurses

Everything above applies to nurses as well as doctors. Registered Nurses (RNs) and Enrolled Nurses (ENs) require current AHPRA registration and must meet the same credentialing and indemnity requirements as medical practitioners. The specific clinical competencies required will depend on the specialty area and the facility. For example, an ED locum nursing role will typically require evidence of triage capability and Advanced Life Support certification.

Locum nursing roles in Australia span metropolitan hospitals, aged care, community health, and remote and rural settings, many of which include travel and accommodation as part of the package.