Support Services for Medical Practitioners in Rural Victoria

   Rural Locum Subsidy

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Subsidies to Solo & Remote Doctors to Employ a Locum

The retention of doctors in rural and remote areas is supported by assisting the GP to take leave from their practice for professional development purposes, for recreational leave and other purposes.

RWAV provides grants to eligible solo and remote GPs to assist in the employment of a locum.  The amount of the subsidy depends on the practice and region in which the GP practices.


Eligibility Criteria

The following GPs are eligible to apply for a Locum Subsidy:

  • Solo GPs practicing in RRMA categories 5 (Other Rural Area), 6 (Remote Centre) and 7 (Other Remote Area)
  • GPs in a group practice in RRMA categories 6 or 7


Subsidy Amount

The following GP subsidies apply to the Locum Subsidy Program (all amounts are inclusive of GST)

Solo practice RRMA categories 6 or 7 $1,375.00 per 10 sessions
Solo practice RRMA category 5 $1,100.00 per 10 sessions
Group practice RRMA categories 6 or 7 $825.00 per 10 sessions


These amounts are based on a 10 session week and form the basis of any calculation (eg solo GP, RRMA category 5, subsidy = $110 per session). The subsidy is allocated on a sessional basis.

GPs may negotiate their own rate of payment with the locum. Locum subsidies will not exceed the remuneration paid to the locum.  Locum subsidies are available to subsidise the locum payment only and subsidies are not available to subsidise travel and accommodation for the locum.  A GP taking leave from their own practice to operate as a locum for a GP in another town or practice will not be given a subsidy for their principal practice.

RWAV has produced guidelines to assist you working with a locum doctor. To download the guidelines in PDF format click here.


Limit to Subsidy

Eligible doctors in RRMA category 5 may apply for up to 20 sessions (ie two weeks total of 10 sessions per week) of locum subsidy, for any financial year.

Eligible doctors in RRMA category 6 or 7 (solo or group) may apply for up to 30 sessions (ie three weeks total of 10 sessions per week) of locum subsidy, for any financial year.


Applications for Subsidy

For a Locum subsidy application form in PDF format click here. The form must be completed, signed and returned to RWAV prior to the locum commencing work.  

 
 
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