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Rural Locum Service

What is it?
The Rural Locum Service (RLS) is a free advertising service for hospitals, health clinics and medical centres in need of a locum for long-term or short-term locum vacnacies.  This program is proudly supported by the Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing.

Why was this program developed? 
It was recognised that specialist surgeons in non-metropolitan areas have difficulty in arranging locums. This was particularly the case  for sole practitioners in smaller regional towns which caused significant difficulties for specialist surgeons wishing to undertake further education, skills training or even to take recreational leave.  It is believed that this was the most significant factor  discouraging surgeons from practising in non-metropolitan areas.

What do I have to do if I require a locum?
Principals (surgeons/hospitals requiring a locum) can either contact the Rural Locum Service directly or register their requirements online.

On-line Registration for Locum Relief

Once we receive your request for a locum, we advertise the vacancy directly to doctors who have registered their interest in providing locum relief.

When an agreement is reached, each individual will contact the College, confirming the match, this is to ensure that no misdirected enquiries are received, and locum availabilities can be amended.

Evaluation of each locum placement is government assessed, with input required from the locum and principal.

Would you like to be a locum?

Your colleagues in non-metropolitan practice need a break from time to time – for Continuing Medical Education (CME), refresher training, or just to take a holiday from a busy practice – just as you do. If you are a Fellow of the College and would like to register as a locum, contact the Rural Locum Service directly.

The information you provide will be entered onto our database, so that your availability is recorded and monitored. You are not obligated at any time to take on locum work, but registering with the service will keep you up to date on current locum positions available. 

Should you want to register as a rural locum, please print out and complete this form Locum Registration Form (PDF 150Kb) then fax to +61 3 9276 7432. 

Your name will be added to the locum registry database.  We will advise you of locum vacancies as they become available, a Fact Sheet is also attached for further information.

If you have any enquiries regarding the Rural Locum Service, please see call the Project Officer on +61 3 9249 1284 or email rural@surgeons.org.