Locum doctor adventures & tips
Medipeople • September 11, 2017
Locum Doctor Adventures & Tips
Practical Locum Doctor Tips for Working Away from Home
There are many benefits to being a locum doctor, but most of all it provides freedom to live the life and lifestyle that you want. Good locum doctor positions pay well and mean you can explore your world. We understand that finding a new job can be a frustrating process, so we’re sharing our key trips & tricks for making your locum successful with you here. Ready for your own locum doctor adventures? You can sign up here.
Once you have secured your dream job in a great location, paying an excellent rate, you probably won’t be home for a while. There is a lot to consider when working away, not just the clinical aspect of your new job but the practical aspects too. You need to consider the home you are leaving and build a life around your clinical work in your new location. This can be vital to ensuring you are happy outside of work and productive when there.
A good locum doctor agency will work with you to ensure you are well prepared, but following is a list of locum doctor tips you should consider before you leave.
1. Documentation
- Take original or certified documents, which you may need before commencing your new role.
- Ensure you have 100 points of ID with you.
- Check your reporting instructions closely to see. Is the credentialing process complete?
- Check in with your agency for a list of all required documentation.
2. Working with Children’s Check
- Rather than having a national system Australia completes these checks at state level. This means you will need a new check if you are moving interstate. This can be partially completed online but often an ID check is required for completion. For New South Wales this should be your first job as you can’t start work without it.
Although you should definitely check with your agent, you can find the different state and territory applications here: NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia, ACT.
3. Flights
- Your agency should organise the best flights possible so you arrive rested and comfortable. Hospitals will generally pay for one return flight per locum placement, but if it’s a long term locum, your agency may be able to negotiate another paid flight to be included as part of your package.
- Don’t forget to activate a frequent flyer account to ensure you pick up any travel points for us later.
4. Local Travel
- If you have a hire car or fleet vehicle, make sure you have the contact details of who to contact when you arrive.
5. Accommodation
- Ask about accommodation. You need to make sure that it is suitable for your personal situation. Locum doctor adventures are no fun without a place where you feel comfortable. For example, if the locum is over a week you may require cooking facilities. Or you may require a bit more space if you have family or visitors. Many hospitals provide shared accommodation, which may not suit you. Speak to your recruitment agent and make sure.
6. Post
- This is one of the most overlooked locum doctor tips & a practical consideration for anyone working away from home: Make sure your post is being collected. The unexpected toll bills can add up quickly and your Medicare provider number may also be sent to this address.
Medipeople has a concierge service to help you with all aspects of your journey. Leaving home can be an overwhelming task, so don’t be afraid to ask us for help! Also check out our article on 10 winning habits of successful doctors – you might pick up a new idea helping you to stand out at your locum hospital!
Every locum placement is different and has a range of different considerations for both the new job and living around work. Talk to your locum agent, as they will advise you how to get the most out of your new position. Live the life you want. Thanks for checking out our our locum doctor tips!
Ready to start your own locum doctor adventures? Register now for the best locum doctor positions in Australia and New Zealand!
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.
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!
UK and Irish Trained GP's - an overview of an expedited specialist pathway
