How Do Locum Doctors Get Paid in Australia?

If you’re working as a locum doctor in Australia, one of the most common questions is simple:

How will I actually get paid?

The honest answer is that it depends on where you are working, the state or territory, whether the hospital is public or private, and whether you are a specialist or non-specialist doctor.

At Blugibbon, we know pay can feel confusing when every hospital seems to do things slightly differently. So, here’s a simple guide to help you understand how locum doctor pay usually works across Australia.

Locum Doctor Pay in NSW Public Hospitals

NSW is slightly different from many other states.

For specialists working in NSW public hospitals, payment is usually managed through the VMoney system. VMoney claims generally open on the 1st of the following month, and if submitted on time, payment is usually made around two weeks after submission.

Specialists in NSW public hospitals may be paid in one of three ways:

• PAYG
• Sole Trader ABN
• Pty Ltd ABN

For non-specialist doctors in NSW public hospitals, payment is generally made directly by the hospital as PAYG. ABNs are usually not applicable for non-specialists in NSW public hospitals.

Weekly timesheets are still required, unless you are a specialist supplying regular screenshots of your VMoney claim.

Locum Doctor Pay in Western Australia Public Hospitals

In Western Australia public hospitals, both specialists and non-specialists are generally paid directly by the hospital via invoice, using either a sole trader ABN or Pty Ltd ABN.

Payment terms are usually 30 days from the date the hospital receives the invoice.

Doctors are responsible for arranging their own tax and super when paid gross via ABN. A weekly timesheet is required, along with an invoice.

If working through a Pty Ltd company, you will need to hold the relevant insurances, including workers compensation and public liability insurance.

Locum Doctor Pay in VIC, QLD, TAS, NT and ACT Public Hospitals

For public hospital locum roles in Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, Northern Territory and the ACT, doctors are generally paid directly by Blugibbon.

Payment is usually made weekly on a Friday, provided the correct signed timesheet has been submitted.

In these states and territories, payment is usually either:

• PAYG
• Pty Ltd ABN

Sole trader ABN is generally not used.

For PAYG, tax is deducted at source and super is usually inclusive of the hourly or daily rate. For Pty Ltd ABN, doctors are paid the gross amount and are responsible for their own tax and super. An invoice must be provided to Blugibbon, along with the timesheet.

A small note: Alice Springs Hospital in the Northern Territory may allow doctors to be paid directly through an ABN on a case-by-case basis.

Locum Doctor Pay in Private Hospitals

For private hospital locum jobs across Australia, doctors are generally paid directly by Blugibbon.

Payment is usually weekly on a Friday, once the correct signed timesheet has been received.

The usual payment options are:

• PAYG
• Pty Ltd ABN

In rare cases, some private hospitals may allow doctors to invoice the hospital directly using a sole trader or Pty Ltd ABN, but this depends on the site.

It is also important to note that billings generated by doctors working in private hospitals are generally retained by the hospital, unless clearly stated otherwise at the time of booking.

Can Locum Doctors Claim Overtime, On-Call Pay or Expenses?

This is one of those questions where the answer is: it depends on the site and the booking.

Overtime and on-call pay can vary depending on the hospital, the locum agreement, and whether the rate is hourly or daily.

Expenses are not usually claimable unless this has been agreed at the time of booking. That said, for NSW specialists using VMoney, it may still be worth uploading work-related expenses for approval.

Do Locum Doctors Need to Submit Timesheets?

Yes.

In almost every situation, weekly timesheets are required. This applies whether you are paid by Blugibbon, the hospital, PAYG, ABN or Pty Ltd.

The biggest cause of delayed pay is usually a missing, unsigned or incorrect timesheet. The sooner your timesheet is submitted correctly, the smoother payroll will be.

PAYG vs ABN vs Pty Ltd: What’s the Difference?

Here’s the simple version.

PAYG means tax is deducted before you are paid. Depending on the state or hospital, super may be paid on top of the rate or included in the rate.

Sole Trader ABN means you are paid gross and are responsible for your own tax. This option is only available in some settings.

Pty Ltd ABN means your company is paid gross. You are responsible for tax, super and the correct insurances, including workers compensation and public liability insurance where required.

It is always worth getting your own financial advice before deciding which payment structure is right for you.

Blugibbon Makes Locum Pay Simple

At Blugibbon, we know doctors do not want to spend their time chasing payroll rules, payment cycles, timesheets and invoices.

Our team helps explain the process upfront, so you know:

• How you will be paid
• When you will be paid
• What timesheets or invoices are needed
• Whether PAYG, ABN or Pty Ltd applies
• What is required before you start

Whether you are working locum doctor jobs in NSW, Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, the Northern Territory or private hospitals nationwide, we are here to make the process as smooth as possible.

Looking for Locum Doctor Jobs in Australia?

Blugibbon works with doctors across Australia in public and private hospitals, including emergency medicine, psychiatry, ICU, anaesthetics, medicine, surgery, GP and more.

Whether you are looking for regular locum work, ad-hoc shifts, a long-term placement or your first locum role in Australia, our team can help you understand the role, the pay process and the paperwork before you start.

Get in touch with Blugibbon today and let’s find the right locum role for you.