Locum Doctors

Have the flexibility to decide when and where you want to work with Healthcare Australia. Get the opportunity to travel while earning great rates and gaining experience in all different types of settings.

What is a Locum Doctor?

A locum doctor is a fully qualified medical professional who temporarily fills roles in healthcare facilities facing staffing gaps. These placements can range from a single shift in a busy emergency department to a three-month contract in a rural clinic. Locum roles exist across all specialties — general practice, surgery, anaesthetics, psychiatry, paediatrics, obstetrics and more.

More than flexibility, locum work offers full control of your schedule, location and lifestyle. You can choose contracts that fit your personal and professional goals, whether you’re seeking a change of pace, maximising your earnings or gaining experience in new clinical settings.

With Healthcare Australia (HCA), locum doctors gain access to a steady stream of roles weekly across metro hospitals, regional centres and remote locations. We’ll manage everything from paperwork to travel and accommodation, so you can focus on what matters most — delivering high-quality care

Unlock Top Locum Doctor Salary Packages

Maximise your earning potential with locum opportunities that reward your time, skill, and flexibility. At Healthcare Australia, locum roles offer competitive daily rates, with higher earnings available for specialist positions, weekend work, on-call shifts, and placements in hard-to-fill regional or remote areas.

Earnings vary across metropolitan, regional, and remote settings, as well as between general practitioners, hospital-based doctors, and specialist consultants. Additional allowances for travel, accommodation, and on-call responsibilities may also be available.

With HCA’s 48-hour QuickPay system, you’ll receive fast payment, often within two business days. With hundreds of locum doctor roles available weekly across Australia, there are abundant opportunities to boost your income while doing the work you love.

Want the latest salary insights?
Download our 2026 Salary Guide to access up-to-date pay trends, industry insights, and detailed breakdowns by role, location, and specialty.

How to Become a Locum Doctor in Australia

Starting your locum journey is easy with HCA. We support you from registration to placement, taking care of the logistics so you can focus on practising medicine on your terms. Whether you’re stepping away from a full-time role, in between contracts or exploring flexible work for the first time, our team will guide you every step of the way.

To work as a locum doctor in Australia, you’ll need:

A recognised medical degree (Australian or comparable international qualification)
Current AHPRA registration
Australian working rights
Police clearance, vaccination records and relevant qualifications
Specialist registration if applying for consultant roles

Once registered, you’ll have access to a national network of over 800 locum shifts weekly. HCA matches you with roles that align with your clinical experience, lifestyle goals and preferred locations, making it easier to build a locum career that fits around you.

Explore Jobs Across Australia, from Coast to Outback

Take your medical career further with locum roles that match your lifestyle. With HCA, you can choose city-based flexibility or discover new challenges in regional and remote communities. From major metro hospitals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide to high-impact roles in Alice Springs, Dubbo, Broome and beyond, there’s a locum opportunity waiting for you.

Locuming with HCA means you can:

Experience diverse clinical environments

Broaden your scope and sharpen your skills across public hospitals, specialist centres and rural health services.

Maximise your income

Tap into higher locum doctor salary rates in high-demand or remote areas.

Test out new locations

Trial a sea change or tree change without committing to a permanent move.

Work your way

Lock in long-term blocks or take ad hoc shifts that work around your schedule.

International Doctors Welcome

Healthcare Australia supports overseas-trained doctors seeking locum jobs in Australia. We assist with AHPRA registration, visa pathways and meeting English language requirements (OET or IELTS) so you can start working sooner.

If you’re exploring how to become a locum doctor in Australia, we’ll guide you through eligibility, documentation and job placement. From short-term contracts to longer locum rotations, we offer support tailored to your background and career stage.

Choose the Right Locum Doctor Contract for You

Locum work isn’t one-size-fits-all. With Healthcare Australia, you can tailor your contract length and location to suit your lifestyle. From single-day metro shifts to three-month regional rotations, we offer:

We help you strike the perfect balance between professional development and personal freedom, backed by our nationwide reach and expert support.

Why Locum With Us?

As a locum doctor, we understand that time is of the essence, and that’s why our priority is to offer you peace of mind. Our consultants will work closely with you to understand your requirements and help you achieve your career goals. We’ll handpick locum placements based on your needs and ensure everything is taken care of on your behalf — from travel and accommodation to negotiating your remuneration to get the highest rates.

Our exclusive agreements with Australia’s best private and public hospitals also mean that you’ll have the opportunity to work in metro areas, such as Sydney or Melbourne, in state-of-the-art hospitals or in smaller regional and rural hospitals, such as Alice Springs (NT) or Dubbo (NSW), based on your aspirations. We have medical placements available for all specialties and grades; and with agencies in each state and territory, we’ll be sure to find the right fit for you.

Key Benefits

Over 800 weekly Locum Doctor positions across the country

Competitive pay rates guaranteed

Flexibility to choose when and where you work

Opportunity to transfer to any state in Australia or overseas

Secure Your Next Locum Role with Healthcare Australia

Discover flexible and well-paid locum work with expert support at every stage. With 800+ weekly locum jobs across Australia, HCA connects you to high-paying shifts in the locations and specialties you want. From metro hospitals to rural clinics, we handle the paperwork, organise travel and accommodation and get you paid fast.

Looking into how to become a locum doctor in Australia? We’ll guide you through the process and match you with opportunities that align with your goals. Register today to access roles tailored to your skill set and availability, or speak with one of our consultants about upcoming placements.

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