The Benefits of Working as a Locum in Regional, Rural and Remote Australia

There are many benefits to working as a locum in the medical profession, but the opportunities presented in a regional, rural or remote location in Australia are opportunities we recommend to anyone willing to consider this type of move.

Large cities and populated areas are often popular for locum work, and we understand that, but the variety in experience, including a range of facilities, circumstances, community and lifestyle can be a huge drawcard for those who are open to new experiences, looking for an exciting challenge, or those who enjoy being a part of a close knit local community.

Locum jobs in regional, rural and remote Australia cover a large section of our country. Your next locum placement could take you to the rainforests and tourists of tropical Far North Queensland, rural Tasmanian farming towns, mining communities in the West Australian desert, or Indigenous communities across the country. 

With this variety of locations, people and environments also comes a wide variety of facilities and access to modern hospitals, specialist staff and general medical care that those in urban locations may take for granted. In some of these remote areas and outback locations it can be common to have a single GP, often supported by the well-known Royal Flying Doctors Service, or health services that are dispersed over a wide geographic location. 

These rural and remote locations also face higher health risks and rates of chronic diseases or injury when compared with those in urban areas. GPs in these locations must have broad knowledge across a range of areas, and be comfortable and confident when dealing with such a diverse caseload. In these locations, a lot of the time GPs will not only work from a practice, but can be called upon by the local hospital for duties such as emergency admissions or minor surgery. 

Expanding your experience as a locum

A great way to expand your professional experience and uncover medical situations that you would rarely experience in a city location, the remote, rural or regional locum jobs offer a much more procedural experience with more autonomy. 

The chance to experience all kinds of medicine, from young to old, guiding patients through a treatment cycle, building community relationships and being part of a strong multi-disciplinary team are just some of the many benefits of regional or rural assignments. 

Rather than being a stand-alone, rural or remote locums work closely with a range of GPs, nurses, allied health professionals, hospital staff and other professionals who provide team-based care. These settings also can lead paths to providing clinical leadership, rural training for undergraduates and trainees, or supporting and upskilling fellow remote practitioners. 

The sense of commitment, involvement and satisfaction that a regional, rural or remote locum position gives is a wonderful benefit. Being a part of a close-knit community and building relationships can be one of the most rewarding parts of an experience like this. This can be particularly true for those completing locum work in Indigenous communities, where the burden of illness can be far greater than the general population. The support and care felt by a dedicated locum can make a huge difference to these people. 

An improvement in lifestyle

Another great drawcard is the lifestyle. The work and personal life balance is much easier for a regional locum, with the local community usually very friendly, and a strong sense of inclusivity for newcomers. These local areas are usually also close to natural beauty, a great choice for locums who enjoy an outdoor and active lifestyle. 

The demand for doctors in these rural and remote areas of Australia is growing, with Government incentives offered to boost daily rates for those working in areas classified as a District of Workforce Shortage (DWS). In locations like those, your travel, accommodation and transport costs will either be subsidised or in most cases covered.

Locums are needed across the country, and are welcomed if you have a general or specialist registration with AHPRA, and a Medicare provider number. There is also opportunity to upskill or complete refresher courses to take on higher roles. 

Being a regional locum isn’t for everyone, but if this sounds like you, ask us about current opportunities.