What Is the Hourly Rate for a Locum GP in Australia?
16 Oct 2026
A locum General Practitioner (GP) role can offer flexibility, competitive pay and the opportunity to work in different medical practices across Australia. Whether you want short-term work in a city clinic or a placement in a regional community, understanding the expected locum GP hourly rate can help you make an informed career decision.
So, how much can a locum GP earn per hour in Australia? The answer depends on the location, the type of practice, your experience, the length of the placement and the payment arrangement.
In this guide, we explain typical advertised rates, the factors that influence earnings and what to consider before accepting a locum GP position.
What Is the Average Hourly Rate for a Locum GP in Australia?
There is no single national hourly rate for locum GPs. Advertised opportunities vary considerably, and some employers quote an hourly guarantee while others offer a daily rate or a percentage of billings.
As a broad guide, locum GP opportunities may advertise around 130–200 per hour in many settings, while selected urgent care, after-hours and hard-to-fill regional positions can offer higher rates. Recent Australian job advertisements include examples around 180–200 per hour in Sydney and 250–300 per hour for an urgent care role in regional NSW. These are examples of individual vacancies, not guaranteed market averages.
Here is an indicative comparison to help you understand how rates may differ.
These are indicative ranges based on published market guides and selected job advertisements, not official national averages. Rates vary by contract and should be confirmed with the employer.
It is also important to check whether an advertised amount is the GP's gross professional fee, a guaranteed hourly payment, or a rate that includes other costs. These figures are not always directly comparable.
What Factors Affect Locum GP Hourly Rates?
Several factors influence how much a locum GP can earn in Australia.
1. Location of the practice
Location is one of the biggest influences on locum pay. Metropolitan areas such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane offer a wide range of opportunities, but competition and practice conditions can affect the rates offered.
Regional and remote communities may offer higher remuneration because recruiting doctors can be more challenging. Some employers may also provide accommodation, travel assistance or other incentives to attract doctors.
For example, a regional placement could offer a higher hourly rate than a city clinic. However, you should compare the complete package, including travel time, accommodation costs and the length of the assignment.
2. Experience and registration
Your clinical experience, registration status and qualifications can affect the positions available to you. Practices may have different requirements for a General Practitioner with specialist registration compared with a doctor working under another registration arrangement.
Experience in urgent care, emergency presentations, chronic disease management or other relevant clinical areas may also be valuable for particular assignments.
Before applying, check the registration, credentialing and experience requirements listed in the job advertisement.
3. Type of medical practice
Not every locum GP role involves the same responsibilities. A standard general practice clinic may offer a different rate from an urgent care service, an after-hours clinic or a remote community placement.
Roles requiring weekend availability, extended hours or additional responsibilities may offer higher rates. However, confirm whether these duties are included in the quoted rate or paid separately.
4. Duration of the assignment
Short-term placements that need urgent cover may offer attractive rates, particularly when a practice has difficulty finding a suitable doctor.
Longer placements can offer greater income consistency and less frequent travel. The best option depends on whether you prioritise flexibility, higher short-term earnings or a predictable schedule.
How Much Can a Locum GP Earn Per Day?
Daily earnings depend on the agreed rate and the number of paid hours.
For example, if you are offered a guaranteed rate of $180 per hour for an eight-hour paid shift, your gross earnings would be:
At $220 per hour for eight paid hours, the gross amount would be $1,760.
These calculations assume every listed hour is paid at the same rate. They do not account for unpaid breaks, tax, superannuation arrangements, professional expenses or other deductions. The contract determines how these items are handled.
Do not automatically compare a daily locum rate with an hourly rate without checking the number of hours included. Some daily offers cover a shorter clinical session, while others cover a full working day.
Hourly Rate vs Percentage of Billings
Locum GPs may be paid through a guaranteed hourly or daily rate, or under an arrangement linked to billings. Understanding the difference is essential when comparing jobs.
Hourly or daily rate: You receive an agreed amount for the eligible hours or days worked, subject to the contract terms.
Percentage of billings: Your income is calculated using an agreed percentage of the billings attributed to your work. The final amount depends on the billings generated and the contract's rules.
For example, a practice might offer a percentage of billings rather than a guaranteed hourly payment. A busy clinic could make this attractive, but patient numbers, consultation fees and appointment availability can influence your income.
When comparing offers, ask whether there is a minimum guarantee, how billings are calculated and what happens if patient demand is lower than expected. Advertised hourly guarantees for permanent roles should not automatically be treated as locum rates.
Are Rural and Remote Locum GP Jobs Worth Considering?
Rural and remote GP placements can be worth exploring if you are comfortable working outside major cities. Some communities have difficulty securing ongoing medical coverage, creating opportunities for short-term doctors.
Potential benefits include:
Competitive rates in selected locations.
Opportunities to work with diverse patient populations.
Possible travel and accommodation assistance.
Experience in regional and rural healthcare settings.
Flexible contracts that fit around personal commitments.
However, consider the workload, available clinical support, local facilities and travel requirements. Some positions may involve on-call duties or a broader scope of practice than a typical metropolitan clinic.
Ask the employer to confirm the expected patient numbers, working hours, available support and whether accommodation and travel are covered before accepting a placement.
What Should You Check Before Accepting a Locum GP Job?
A high hourly rate does not necessarily mean a better overall contract. Review the following details before making a decision.
Payment structure: Confirm whether the rate is hourly, daily or based on billings.
Paid hours: Check shift length, breaks, overtime and weekend rates.
Travel and accommodation: Find out whether these costs are reimbursed or arranged by the employer.
Registration and credentialing: Confirm that you meet all requirements for the role.
Professional indemnity: Check that your insurance arrangements cover the work you will undertake.
Contract conditions: Review cancellation terms, payment timelines and any agency fees or deductions.
GST and superannuation: Confirm how these are treated under your particular engagement.
If you are working as an independent contractor, remember that your gross professional income is not the same as your take-home pay. Tax, insurance, superannuation arrangements and business expenses can affect the amount you retain.
How to Find Locum GP Jobs in Australia
You can search for locum GP opportunities through medical recruitment agencies, healthcare job boards and direct contact with medical practices. Comparing several offers can help you understand current rates and find work that suits your experience and preferred location.
Before applying, prepare an up-to-date CV, confirm your registration details and gather any required credentialing documents. Be clear about your availability, preferred locations and willingness to undertake regional or after-hours work.
Working with a medical recruitment agency can also help you identify suitable vacancies, understand contract requirements and coordinate placement arrangements. Ask whether the agency supports travel, accommodation and credentialing, and clarify the rate before agreeing to a placement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest hourly rate for a locum GP in Australia?
Some advertised urgent care and regional positions offer 250–300 per hour or more. These are specific opportunities rather than typical rates for all locum GPs. Higher rates may involve particular hours, locations or responsibilities.
Do locum GPs earn more than permanent GPs?
They can earn a higher rate for particular shifts, especially short-term or hard-to-fill placements. However, locum work may be less predictable and can involve additional travel, insurance and other expenses. Compare total income and working conditions rather than hourly pay alone.
Do locum GP jobs include accommodation?
Some regional and remote placements offer accommodation or travel assistance, while others do not. Always confirm what is included in writing before accepting a job.
Can overseas-trained doctors work as locum GPs in Australia?
Potentially, but eligibility depends on registration, visa conditions, supervision requirements where applicable and any restrictions affecting the proposed role or location. Check your circumstances with the Medical Board of Australia and relevant authorities before accepting an assignment.
Conclusion
The hourly rate for a locum GP in Australia varies according to location, clinical responsibilities, experience and contract structure. As an indicative guide, many advertised opportunities fall around 130–200 per hour, while selected regional, urgent care and after-hours roles can offer considerably more.
The best approach is to compare the guaranteed payment, expected hours, travel support and contract conditions together. By checking these details carefully, you can find a locum GP opportunity that fits your professional goals and lifestyle.
If you are exploring locum opportunities, Austwide Locums can be a starting point for learning more about locum work and available healthcare placements in Australia. Always confirm the requirements and terms of any specific role directly with the recruiter or employer.