Become a rural GP locum

As a locum, you’ll love the life in rural Victoria. You choose the location, workload, type of work and timeframe that suits you. And RWAV will find the best available option for you.

The RWAV Locum Program balances personal lifestyle benefits with professional diversity. Subject to eligibility, benefits may include:

  • Support and assistance for the duration of your placement
  • Generous pay and conditions, all individually tailored
  • On-call, after-hours and VMO rates
  • A range of options – full-time, part-time or casual positions around family, work and study commitments
  • Flexible hours as negotiated with the practice
  • Accommodation and fully maintained motor vehicle for private use or payment of work related travel
  • Employer superannuation contribution
  • Paid medical indemnity insurance (pro rata)
  • Paid WorkCover (pro rata)
  • Mentorship/professional assistance
  • Full briefing and de-briefing for each placement
  • Additional professional development training if required


Flexible locum options

RWAV can offer an employment arrangement that suits your individual needs – we offer full-time, part-time or casual work assignments.


Training assistance

RWAV will organise orientation courses and medical training to help prepare locum GPs for rural work. Subject to availability, you may be eligible for:

  • REST – Rural Emergency Skills Training Courses
  • Rural LEAP – Locum Education Assistance Program – Upskilling for urban GPs
  • VACCHO – Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Training course


Aboriginal health

Locum opportunities are also available within Aboriginal communities. Doctors who practise in Aboriginal communities typically report that their work is interesting, diverse and valued by the communities they serve. If you would like to make a major contribution where your skills are really needed and receive generous pay and conditions, please click here to find out more.


Eligibility criteria

Any GP with general medical registration and vocational registration is eligible for locum work. You need to have post graduate qualifications, such as Fellowship of Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP), (FACRRM) or its international equivalent. Locums must be eligible for unconditional registration with the Medical Board of Victoria. In addition, you will need to:

  • Have a minimum of 3 years general practice experience in the past 5 years
  • Have current and recent skills in Emergency Medicine, Trauma and Life Support or be prepared to undertake training
  • Be licensed or eligible to drive in Victoria
  • Fulfill the application criteria - complete an application form, attend a brief interview and provide 2 clinical references


What is the Rural GP Locum Program?

RWAV in partnership with Rural Health Workforce Australia is pleased to provide rural and remote GPs with support through the Rural GP Locum Program. The Rural GP Locum Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. The program is a new Australian Government program that was announced in the May 2009 Federal Budget and launched December 21, 2009.

The Rural GP Locum Program is designed to supply affordable, quality locum relief to rural and remote GPs.

The Rural GP Locum Program has two elements. First the Rural GP Locum Program will recruit doctors who are willing to support their rural and remote colleagues by providing a locum service. Secondly, the Rural GP Locum Program will provide eligible rural and remote GPs with a subsidy to offset the costs of engaging a locum.


Becoming a locum under the Rural GP Locum Program

The Rural GP Locum Program will form a national locum pool of doctors interested in supporting their rural and remote colleagues through provision of locum services.

RWAV will help locums find placements that meet their needs.

Locums will be engaged by rural and remote GPs directly. The Rural GP Locum Program will provide a subsidy to the GP host to help them fund the locum engagement.

To register to become part of the locum pool, a locum will have unconditional registration in any Australian State or Territory and be recognised as a GP for the purposes of the Medicare Benefits Schedule.


Enquire now

Use our enquiry form to start the journey to become a rural GP locum. We will respond within 24 hours.

Or call Angela Phillips, GP Locum Program Coordinator on 03 9349 7800.

 RWAV

If you would like to register your interest for a locum position under the Rural GP Locum Program, visit the RGPLP website here. Rural GP Locum Program


Current positions

View current Locum GP positions