{"id":16022,"date":"2025-02-05T07:38:03","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T07:38:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dnamedicalrecruitment.com.au\/?p=16022"},"modified":"2025-02-05T07:38:03","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T07:38:03","slug":"your-guide-to-becoming-a-locum-doctor-in-australia-nz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dnamedicalrecruitment.com.au\/your-guide-to-becoming-a-locum-doctor-in-australia-nz\/","title":{"rendered":"Your guide to becoming a locum doctor in Australia\/NZ"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you\u2019re ready for something new as a doctor in Australia or New Zealand \u2013 more variety, different experiences, meeting new people \u2013 then it may be time to switch to locum work.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this short guide, we\u2019ll help you understand what qualifications you need to start locum work, some key things to think about and how to find your first locum position.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. The pros and cons of locum work<\/h2>\n

Before digging into the specifics, it\u2019s important to ensure you understand why you want to become a locum doctor in the first place. What do you want to achieve with your career? What is the intended outcome?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you can answer this question, it\u2019ll help you better understand if this is the right move for your needs. Take a look at these benefits and challenges of locuming \u2013 do they match what you\u2019re after?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pros of locum work<\/h3>\n
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  1. Flexibility: <\/b><\/span><\/b>Locuming offers greater flexibility to travel, choose your schedule or change the type of work you\u2019re taking on. You can make it fit your lifestyle.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Work\/life balance:<\/b><\/span><\/b> The greater flexibility often allows for better work\/life balance, helping you to avoid burnout.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Pay:<\/b><\/span><\/b> Locum positions often pay more to accommodate their urgency, or the casual basis of the contract. Some doctors also locum on top of their permanent position, keeping a mix of stable and locum income.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Experiences:<\/b><\/span><\/b> Working as a locum doctor gives you the opportunity to mix up where and how you work, meeting new people, going to new places and developing a broader skill set. This variety of experiences can be very professionally rewarding.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Learn more:<\/b><\/span><\/b> Benefits of locuming<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Cons of locum work<\/h3>\n
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    1. Unpredictable work: <\/b><\/span><\/b>Locuming can be unpredictable at times. While signing up to a locum agency can help, it\u2019s not always as stable or consistent as a permanent placement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Constant relearning:<\/b><\/span><\/b> Every time you move to a new practice, you\u2019ll need to learn their way of doing things. This can be a bit jarring, as you\u2019ll be regularly relearning simple things and adjusting to how different teams operate.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Patient relationships: <\/b><\/span><\/b>It can be trickier to offer efficient care when you don\u2019t know the background of your patients. Locum doctors often move around a lot, making it vital to learn how to build patient relationships very quickly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Colleague relationships: <\/b><\/span><\/b>Some locum doctors worry about struggling to build relationships with colleagues too. But, if you maintain your usual professionalism, reliability and friendliness, this shouldn\u2019t be an issue. Be polite, introduce yourself to everyone, and your network should expand.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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      2. Essential qualifications for locuming in Australia & New Zealand\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

      Any doctor can begin locum work so long as they hold general or specialist registration.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Locuming isn\u2019t open to other types of registrations due to the temporary and independent nature of the role.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Working as a locum on a visa<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

      Overseas doctors are able to take up locum work in Australia and New Zealand if they are either citizens or residents, or they acquire a visa which specifically permits locum work (such as certain temporary skills shortage of working holiday visas). If this is relevant to you, you will likely also need the help from <\/span>a medical recruitment agency<\/span><\/a> like DNA to help you sort out the paperwork and find appropriate roles.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Skills requirements for locum work<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

      Practices and hospitals will generally advertise for the specific skills they require, and will normally accept anyone with the appropriate medical fellowship.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      General locums are also an option, and here your amount of experience will help to dictate your eligibility and rate. Generally, the more experience the better, which is why many doctors wait to begin locum work until PGY-3 or 4.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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      3. Maintaining professional development as a locum doctor<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

      Keeping up with your CPD may actually be easier as a locum doctor, given the better work\/life balance available.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Here are some tips to think about:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n