Benefits of Working as a Rural Locum GP
Benefits of Working as a Rural Locum GP
Working as a Rural Locum GP throughout Australia is a very attractive option. Whether you’re looking to supplement your income, experience different parts of Australia, or simply take time off and escape the mundane, working as a rural locum GP has many advantages. Here are my top 4 reasons why you should work as a locum GP in rural Australia:
1. IT’S ALL ABOUT EXPERIENCE
“The only source of knowledge is experience” – Albert Einstein
Working as a locum GP is a unique opportunity to take you to some of the most amazing locations in Australia. These positions are usually in smaller rural towns working in private practice and small local hospitals. Working in new environments, with different resources, patients, and support staff, will expand you personally and challenge you professionally.
2. MORE FREEDOM
“Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.” -Albert Camus
Working as a Locum GP gives you the freedom to choose when you want to work and where. There are many reasons why GPs take on locum work. Some GPs like to work 8 months of the year while earning the same annual income as they would in a permanent position. Some GPs plan working holidays or road trips with family and do some locum work along the way. Other GPs have regular full-time positions and take leave just to get away and experience different parts of Australia. Whatever the reason, working as a locum GP is immensely rewarding while covering a much-needed shortage to serve the community. For further information and tips to locum freedom, please see our doctor adventures tips.
3. HIGHER INCOME AS A LOCUM GP
“It’s simple arithmetic: Your income can grow only to the extent that you do.” —T. Harv Eker
Locum GPs with the FRACGP who work in private practice during normal business hours are on a flat rate of $1200 to $1600 per day. GPs with the FRACGP or FACRRM who also work on-call as VMOs earn between $1800 to $2500 per day, and even higher with advanced procedural qualifications in Anaesthetics, Surgery or Obstetrics. Travel, accommodation, and car hire all included! Locum GPs work as independent contractors which attract ABN tax concessions. This means during your locum you can offset or claim accrued expenses which are tax deductible.
4. GREAT FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin
In addition to your higher income, there are many attractive government grants in place to encourage GPs to work in rural Australia. Depending on the location and type, a classification system is used to determine grants available. Financial grants start at $2,000 to $20,000+ per financial year. Accessing these grants is done via an application process which can be made online. These grants are accessible via the RACGP, ACRRM or Department of Health websites.
“It’s important to partner with a reputable locum agency such as Medipeople with over a decade’s experience to help you locate the best Locum GP positions and organise all necessary paperwork, travel, and accommodation for you.”
If you would like more information about accessing the above-mentioned grants or locating the best rural locum positions, please contact us today!
