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 [email protected] today!

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From Scotland to Brisbane: A GP’s Journey Through AHPRA’s Expedited Specialist Pathway

By Chris Tsolakis • November 17, 2025
Every so often, a placement stands out, not because it was the easiest, but because it marked a turning point in how we support GPs moving to Australia. Dr Idle’s journey from Scotland to Brisbane is one of those stories. When I first connected with him, the AHPRA Expedited Specialist Pathway was in the works but hadn’t officially started. He had initially submitted his RACGP Specialist Assessment, and then, the new pathway was announced, promising a much faster, cleaner route for UK GPs with CCT + MRCGP. We moved quickly, transferring his RACGP application and switching him over to the ESP to speed up his application. He became one of the very first GPs to go through this new process. And while the pathway itself was designed to be “expedited,” the reality of being first through the door was… interesting. There were delays, long pauses, and moments where we clearly saw AHPRA navigating a new internal process while dealing with a high influx of applications. Nothing moved clean or in a way we had expected. Because we corresponded directly with AHPRA daily, we were able to follow up, clarifying requirements, escalating where appropriate, and making sure nothing slipped through the cracks while the system caught up with itself. Eventually, after what felt like a marathon for everyone involved, Dr Idle was officially registered, visa approved, and on a plane to Australia. Today, he’s thriving in an exceptional practice, fully settled, and building exactly the future he hoped for when he first reached out from Scotland. It’s been almost two years now, and we’re still in touch, not just for professional updates but to support him as needed. Our support continues long after a doctor starts their new role. Relocating your entire life to the other side of the world is a huge step, and whether it’s career progression, financial, schooling, community, or simply a friendly chat, we’re here for it. And personally, even after twenty years in GP recruitment, it still gives me genuine joy when I finally meet a doctor in person after months of online correspondence and guiding them through the maze of registration, visas, logistics, and relocation. Seeing them happy, settled, and thriving is why I still love what I do. Since then, we’ve guided many more doctors through the Expedited Specialist Pathway. It has become smoother and more predictable than when it first launched. With the right guidance and careful preparation, most of the early delays can now be avoided. Dr Idle’s journey from Scotland to Brisbane wasn’t perfect or straightforward, but it was meaningful. It marked the beginning of a new chapter for how international GPs come to Australia, and I’m proud we helped him navigate it before the pathway had even found its rhythm. If you're a UK GP considering the move, I’m always happy to talk through the process and help you understand whether it’s the right next step for you. With the right guidance, the transition truly can be life-changing, just as it was for Dr Idle.

Why GPs Are Re-Thinking Their Future

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Across Australia, general practice is changing fast and so are the pressures on GPs. From increasing patient complexity to stagnant funding, many doctors are questioning whether their current practice truly supports the kind of medicine they want to provide. The Realities GPs Are Facing in 2026 Rising complexity, less time to care Recent RACGP data shows that over two-thirds of GPs are managing more complex, multi-condition cases than ever before. Many are spending longer with patients but without adequate remuneration or support. Funding that hasn’t kept pace Despite government incentives, Medicare rebates and practice funding haven’t matched the true cost of quality care. Practices are being forced to choose between bulk billing and financial sustainability, and GPs are feeling the strain. Administrative overload and burnout The non-clinical workload has ballooned. From compliance and care plans to IT and communication gaps, it’s no surprise that one in three GPs say they may leave practice within five years. Searching for better balance Most GPs still love what they do but want better systems, better support, and more time for patients. They’re looking for practices that align with their values: professionalism, autonomy, and patient-centred care. What a Better Opportunity Really Means If you’re a GP currently feeling these pressures, the solution might not be “more or less of the same” it might be finding a practice managed differently. Clinics that focus on quality over quantity, with: Busy, well-established clinics Special interest patient flow Strong nursing and management support Billing models that support growth Flexible work options Professional autonomy “Sometimes a fresh start can be life-changing for the better” Medipeople has been helping GPs find fulfilling roles across Australia for over 20 years, matching doctors with practices that fit their values, lifestyle, and professional goals. click here to learn more