A Locum GP is a general practitioner assigned to a temporary placement to relieve a shortage or roster gap within a private practice or hospital. Duration of temporary or locum placements can range from 1 day to 6 months. However, the average duration is typically 1 to 3 weeks. There are also fly-in fly-out (FIFO) locum options available on a regular basis.

A Locum GP VMO (Visiting Medical Officer) can work in private practice during normal business hours and cover on-call for the local emergency after hours. GP VMO can also be placed within a hospital for the entire locum period.

The rate depends on location and urgency of vacancy to be filled. There are also considerable tax advantages as a Locum GP is employed as a contractor. So, most of the additional expenses are tax-deductible and can be offset against earnings.

A General Practitioner can work as a VR or Non-VR GP in General Practice as a Locum. It is preferred if a GP is Vocationally Registered (VR), a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP), or Fellow of the Australia College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM) and has Specialist registration in General Practice with AHPRA.

Both VR GPs and non-VR GPs do the same work in general practice, with the only difference being non-VR GPs attract a lower rebate from Medicare. Non-VR GPs may be eligible to access the same rates as VR GPs if they work in rural or remote areas.

Locum GP VMO who also cover on-call after hours are required to have additional emergency qualifications and therefore attract much higher rates.

A Locum GP that only works in private practice during normal business hours is usually from 8:30am to 5:00pm with a half hour break for lunch.  A Locum GP VMO works the same hours during the day in private practice. However, they are sometimes required to cover on-call at the local emergency after hours. A typical on-call roster for a GP VMO is 1:2, 1:3, etc.

There are many benefits of working as a Locum GP, mainly the flexibility of choosing your days, hours, and locations while earning higher income. Locum GP’s love the challenge and experience of working in different practices and hospital settings, while broadening their skills and expanding their network of colleagues and friends. Other GPs take advantage of the travel opportunities that come with being a Locum GP.

It’s common for GPs to take time off from their regular practice and head off for a semi-working holiday with family. It’s a great way to explore and experience our beautiful country with accommodation, flights, and car hire all paid for! Working as a locum GP also helps to maintain a healthy work-life balance for those who have other responsibilities, such as taking care of family members, devoting more time to their hobbies, or pursuing academics.

Interested? 

If so,  Medipeople have hundreds of great Locum GP opportunities available for General Practitioners just like you! Please feel free to contact us.