Locum Doctor Interview: Australia

Medipeople • September 11, 2020

Locum Doctor Interview

A Medipeople interview with the amazing Dr House.

Locuming presents a fantastic opportunity to develop new friendships and to network with other doctors.

Has the locum life been as good as you thought it would be?

Locum life has been very interesting! The main reasons that I decided to locum was to travel, work in a new variety of different places/hospitals and to save money for my planned three-month trip to South America. In the first few months there was a lot of interstate travel which I found to be very exciting! The range of experience obtained was excellent, too. Locuming presents a fantastic opportunity to develop new friendships and to network with other doctors.

Since COVID19 obviously my travel has dramatically reduced, and I have chosen to stay in a long-term locum position. I have greatly enjoyed this role; however, I certainly miss the travel!

Has locuming helped you to achieve what you wanted to?

Yes, I have had very positive experiences from my time locuming across Australia. Since I have started, I have grown substantially both professionally and personally. It has been an amazing experience to be able to work in a diverse range of places with wonderful people – being a doctor in Mount Isa is an incredibly different experience to being a doctor in a tertiary city hospital. I am certain that my skills have improved through locuming. Also, it is very financially lucrative.

Any standout locations you have worked at?

I have enjoyed all of the places that I have worked at. My most favourite would be Redcliffe Hospital (Medicine), Canberra Hospital (ED) and Ballarat (ED). These are the three places that I have spent the most time at – I was able to settle in, meet new people and become fairly accustomed to the unique processes of those departments. Certainly, as a locum, being able to establish a vibrant social life wherever you go will make the experience much more fun and interesting. I have found my current hospital to be a great place to work in, and very supportive.

What tips do you have for doctors considering the locum lifestyle?

I would strongly encourage anyone to locum, even if a short period of time. It’s a great way to take a break, travel and trial new places to work. I have enjoyed my most recent long-term locum engagement so much that I am now employed by the hospital and will be taking up a training position here next year – so I have officially “relocated” to a new city thanks to a locum job. This was certainly not planned when I first started the contract.

Locuming forces you out of your personal and professional comfort zone, which although nerve-wracking at times, is a very important and valuable experience.

How has COVID19 affected locum work?

Prior to COVID19 I travelled very, very frequently. My longest contract was a month and my shortest was two days. From mid-March Covid-19 hit, and travel was not recommended – thankfully at this time there were multiple locum job offers from various hospitals interstate wanting to hire doctors for 3-6 months.

I was meant to fly to South America in mid-March, so when this was cancelled my schedule became very vacant! I was lucky enough to be offered a four-month contract in my preferred speciality (Medicine). I chose not to fly to my locum placement due to safety concerns and I also strongly suspected the flights would be cancelled. Instead, I drove twenty-one hours, – with a great Spotify playlist – to the locum job! (Social distancing style).

What has your experience with Medipeople been like?

I have very much enjoyed working with Medipeople! Justine my recruiter, has been extremely supportive and incredibly dedicated to keeping me very busy – which has been greatly appreciated! Occasionally as a locum doctor there are small gaps in-between contracts that can be very hard to fill – luckily, Justine has been very successful in minimising these.

The staff at Medipeople have consistently responded to any of my questions/queries (outside of business hours too!) and have followed up on any minor issues – for example, sorting out a late check-out at a hotel after a night shift – or a hospital requesting an early return of a loan car. I have always been paid promptly and received a very broad range of job opportunities.

I would very much recommend Medipeople!

If you are looking to do locum work, and would like more information, please contact justine.t@medipeople.com.au today!

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Fast-Track Pathway for UK Psychiatrists to Work in Australia

March 13, 2025

UK-based psychiatrists now have an exciting opportunity to fast-track their career in Australia through a new Expedited Specialist Pathway, designed to reduce barriers and help internationally trained specialists transition seamlessly into the Australian healthcare system. Medipeople is on hand to secure your job in Australia and guide you through the registration, visa and relocation process. From 23 December 2024, psychiatrists with UK qualifications will be able to apply directly for specialist registration with Ahpra (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) and the Medical Board of Australia, enabling them to begin practicing sooner and contribute their expertise to Australian patients. Eligibility for Psychiatrists UK psychiatrists are eligible if they hold the following qualifications: Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych) Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Psychiatry Awarded under an approved RCPsych curriculum (from August 2007 onwards) after satisfactory completion of a GMC- or Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board-approved psychiatry training program in the UK. This pathway allows highly skilled psychiatrists to transition quickly into Australia's healthcare workforce, ensuring access to critical mental health services for patients across the country. Why Consider Australia? Australia offers: A world-class healthcare system with excellent professional development opportunities. Competitive remuneration packages and benefits. The chance to live and work in vibrant cities or picturesque regional areas, with a lifestyle renowned for its balance of work, leisure, and outdoor living. The Application Process The Expedited Specialist Pathway builds on the success of the October launch for general practitioners, which saw 96 UK-based GPs apply within two months, with 80% of applicants already progressing through the system. Similar efficiency is anticipated for psychiatrists, making this pathway a reliable and attractive option. What’s Next? The Expedited Specialist Pathway will soon expand to include other specialties such as general medicine, general paediatrics, and diagnostic radiology, providing more opportunities for UK specialists to join the Australian medical workforce. This initiative reflects the commitment to making it easier for professionals from comparable healthcare systems, such as the UK, to relocate and practice in Australia. Start your journey today and be part of a healthcare system that values your expertise. Applications open 23 December 2024.

Updated: Fast-Track AHPRA Registration for General Practitioners

By Chris Tsolakis • March 5, 2025

AHPRA has launched the Fast-Track Specialist Pathway , providing a streamlined process for internationally qualified GPs and other medical specialists to obtain specialist registration in Australia. This new pathway is significantly faster and more cost-effective than traditional routes, reducing the time to start practicing in Australia from 12 months to approximately 4–6 months. At Medipeople, we are actively supporting GPs through this new process and ensuring smooth transitions into high-quality medical positions across Australia. Latest Updates March 2025 – Key Highlights & First Approvals The first successful Fast-Track application was approved in December 2024 after a two-month processing period, setting a promising precedent for future applicants. GPs must still complete visa and Medicare provider number processing before starting work. As more applications are processed, the timeline and requirements are expected to become even more efficient. Eligibility Criteria & Accepted Qualifications This pathway is currently open to GPs with qualifications from the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand, including: MRCGP + CCT (UK) – from 2007 onwards MICGP + CSCST (Ireland) – from 2009 onwards FRNZCGP (New Zealand) – from 2012 onwards Additional specialties such as anaesthetics, obstetrics, and psychiatry are expected to be added in December 2024. How the Fast-Track AHPRA Pathway Works Key Steps in the Application Process: Specialist Registration (With Conditions) – Bypass the RACGP assessment and apply directly to the Medical Board of Australia. Supervised Practice (6 Months) – Includes orientation, cultural safety training, and workplace-based assessments. Workplace-Based Assessments – Supervision reports required at 3 and 6 months. Full Specialist Registration – Following completion of supervised practice and assessments. Processing Timeframe: AHPRA assessment: 6–8 weeks Overall process (including AMC, EPIC, visa & Medicare): 4–6 months This is a significant improvement over the traditional RACGP PEP Specialist Pathway, which takes 9–12 months. Key Considerations for GPs Supervision & Job Requirements You must secure a job offer before submitting your application. A supervisor must be nominated by your employer as part of the process. The supervised practice plan is more detailed than traditional pathways, requiring specific training activities. Does This Avoid the 10-Year Moratorium? No, GPs on this pathway must work in a DPA area or secure a 19AB exemption. Exception: New Zealand medical graduates who were citizens or permanent residents on the first day of medical school are exempt from the moratorium. Next Steps: How Medipeople Can Help At Medipeople, we specialise in assisting UK, Irish, and NZ-trained GPs with navigating the Fast-Track AHPRA Pathway, securing roles in trusted, high-net-worth practices across Australia. We provide expert guidance on the AHPRA, visa, and Medicare process. We match you with top-tier GP roles in sought-after locations. We ensure seamless supervision arrangements with practices that support international GPs. Get Started Today! To find out more about how Medipeople can help you secure a fast-tracked GP role in Australia, get in touch today!