Locum in Australia

New Zealand graduates - take advantage of the fantastic exchange rate and locum in Australia.  Not only are locum rates higher (earn at least three times as much as permanent rates), but they are higher in Australia than they are in New Zealand, and then double again in some cases when the exchange rate is included.

So, you're looking for a long hot summer or escape from the New Zealand winter!  Maybe you are wanting more of a challenge or to gain more experiences to further your career.  It may be that you are just wanting to pay off those student loans, mortgages, or have a 6-12 month OE. 

Antipodean Medical Recruitment can help you locate locum work in Australia which is available in the major centres and regional locations.  Most locum positions are located in regional hospitals where you can gain fantastic hands on experience however, we do receive requests from tertiary hospitals and main centres as well. 

Antipodean Medical Recruitment is an approved Locum Agency to provide locums to hospitals in New South Wales (not all agencies are on this exclusive list).  We undertook an external audit to obtain this, so you can relax and know you are dealing with a reputable and trustworthy agency.  Please note, we can also help you with other States and New Zealand as well.

It’s easy to get long and short term locum placements.  You may need to be a bit flexible especially when it comes to locations but we will try to match your requirements with that of the hospitals as best we can.

So if you’re after a beach holiday, or you want to experience outback Australia or some of Australia’s vibrant cities, contact Antipodean Medical Recruitment.

To locum in Australia there is a bit to know:

Medical registration in Australia for locums – New Zealand and Australian graduates

In Australia, you need general medical registration with AHPRA (Medical Board).

As a New Zealand or Australian graduate you are eligible for this after your first year practicing as a doctor and have full general registration.  This can be completed in Australia (Internship) or NZ (First Year House Officer).

If you’re a New Zealand graduate, Antipodean Medical Recruitment will assist you to obtain your registration with the Medical Board of Australia.  We will make it as easy as possible for you. 

Tax Information in Australia for locums

The Australian tax year finishes on June 30.  

To work in Australia you need a TFN (similar to an IRD number in NZ).  It is easy to apply for and it is highly recommended you do so before leaving for Australia to enable payroll to pay you without the delay of waiting for this number.  If you don't have time to do this before you leave, make sure you do it on your first day in Australia so you are paid correctly by the hospital.

You can apply for a TFN online by visiting www.ato.gov.au. Select ‘For individuals’ - located on the left hand side of the screen, then go to ‘Apply for a tax file number’, then ‘Online individual tax file number (TFN) registration’.

Income Tax

In New South Wales hospitals and in most other Australian hospitals, locum doctors are paid through the hospital payroll and this means that the tax is automatically deducted - PAYG (Pay As You Go). If you are not working a full year in Australia, you should be able to claim a lot of this back at the end of the tax year (June 30).  It is recommended that you find and talk to an Australian accountant who can process your tax return.

Payment for locum work in Australia

As advised above, most doctors will be paid through the hospital payroll. If you are contracting Antipodean Medical Recruitment will pay you on the next pay period (done fortnightly on a Friday) after receiving your signed timesheet.  Therefore, as soon as you have finished each assignment (or each fortnight if the job is longer than two weeks), fax (+44 843 524 0766) or email your timesheet to our office plus receipts of other agreed expenses e.g. taxis.  Download a Locum Timesheet.

Remember to let us know if you are GST registered.

GST in Australia

If you are not going onto the payroll you must be GST registered if your annual turnover for this month and the last eleven months has exceeded $50,000 and your turnover for this month and the next eleven months is expected to exceed $50,000.

Salary Packaging

Salary packaging is offered at many of the Australian hospitals, even if you are a locum.  It allows staff to claim up to $9000 of income to be tax free if you can account for it with relevant receipts. If you are there for less than a year you can apply the full amount into the time you are there, reducing your tax bill.  Definitely speak to the HR / Payroll Department at the hospital you are working at for more information.

Locum in New Zealand

Who Can Locum in New Zealand?

Anyone with full general or vocational registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) can locum as a doctor in New Zealand. 

As well as registration, you need to ensure your work visa allows you to change employers, otherwise this needs to be amended with each locum - so weekends here and there probably won't work!

New Zealand Medical Registration for locums

New Zealand or Australian graduates are eligible for full general registration after completing their first year practicing as a doctor.

If you’re an Australian graduate, will can provide you with the required paperwork, assist you in completing it and file it for you with the Medical Council of New Zealand.  It generally takes about 20 working days for these to be finalised.

UK and Irish graduates once you have completed the required supervision time (usually six (6) months).

Other international graduates also need to complete the required supervision period as indicated by the MCNZ (usually two years).

Tax Information for locums – New Zealanders

The New Zealand tax year finishes on March 31.

In New Zealand, locum doctors are self-employed (not paid by the hospital) and therefore you will be able to claim back all expenses related to your contracted period.  To reduce your tax bill, hold onto all receipts.  Expenses you can claim include phone bills, medical registration, medical indemnity insurance, transport between locums, accommodation while locuming (however, this is usually provided by the hospital), CPE and reasonable food expenses.  At the end of the financial year, provide your receipts to your accountant. 

Payment for locum work in New Zealand

As advised above, in New Zealand locum doctors are contractors.  Antipodean Medical Recruitment will pay you on the next pay period (done fortnightly on a Friday) after receiving your signed timesheet.  Therefore, as soon as you have finished each assignment (or each fortnight if the job is longer than two weeks), fax (+44 843 524 0766) or email your timesheet to our office plus receipts of other agreed expenses e.g. taxis.  Download a Locum Timesheet.

Remember to let us know if you are GST registered.

GST in New Zealand

If your annual turnover for this month and the last eleven months has exceeded $60,000 and your turnover for this month and the next eleven months is expected to exceed $60,000 you must be GST registered.  Most locum doctors make this much money in less than two months, so they will need to register for GST.

To assist you, Antipodean Medical Recruitment can approach and obtain approval from the IRD to issue a "Buyer Created Invoice".  This means, you don't even have to send us an invoice, we can do this for you. 

The IRD have made it an easy process to obtain GST numbers.  Visit the following link on the IRD website - IRD GST Process and then either download the form or order it by calling 0800 257 773.

ACC

As a self-employed person in NZ you will be required to pay an ACC levy.  This covers you any accidents that happen in Australia or New Zealand, however, you will not be covered for international transfers if you become incapacitated.  Therefore, you may wish to purchase personal travel insurance.

New Zealand Taxes for Australian locum doctors

Australian residents are taxed on their worldwide income (I know, it's not fair!).  If you are working overseas you need to determine whether you are an Australian resident for tax purposes.  Non-residents pay tax differently from residents on Australian-source income.

Make sure you speak to your Australian tax accountant and you may need to find an accountant in New Zealand.