Top-Paying Locum Jobs in Australia: Where to Earn the Most in 2025
Introduction: Why Locum Doctors Earn More in Australia
Locum jobs in Australia provide doctors with flexibility, high pay, and opportunities to work across diverse healthcare settings. With growing doctor shortages, particularly in rural and remote areas, hospitals and clinics are offering generous incentives to attract locum professionals.
But where can you earn the highest locum rates in 2025? In this guide, we explore the top-paying locum jobs, the factors influencing locum pay, and the best locations for maximising your earnings.
1. Highest-Paying Locum Specialties in 2025
Locum doctors' earnings depend largely on specialty and location. Below are the specialties expected to command the highest pay rates in 2025.
Anaesthetists
Earnings: Up to $4,000 per day
Best Locations: Rural Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland
- Anaesthetists are among the highest-paid locum doctors due to high demand in rural hospitals and operating theatre shortages.
- Locum anaesthetists can negotiate premium rates, especially for last-minute shifts.
Emergency Medicine Specialists
Earnings: $3,000 – $4,000 per day
Best Locations: Remote areas in the Northern Territory, Tasmania, Outback hospitals
- Rural emergency departments often experience critical staffing shortages, leading to premium locum rates.
- Doctors with ACEM Fellowship (FACEM) or extensive ED experience can command top pay.
Psychiatrists
Earnings: $2,500 – $3,500 per day
Best Locations: Regional Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia
- Australia is facing a national shortage of psychiatrists, particularly in rural mental health services.
- Locum psychiatrists with telehealth experience may also secure high-paying remote contracts.
Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (O&G)
Earnings: $2,500 – $3,500 per day
Best Locations: Northern Territory, Far North Queensland, Tasmania
- Maternity units in regional and rural hospitals often lack permanent specialists, making O&G locums highly valuable.
- Higher rates are offered for on-call and weekend shifts.
2. Factors That Influence Locum Pay Rates
Locum doctors in Australia earn varying rates based on several factors. Understanding these elements can help you negotiate better contracts.
Location: Rural vs. Urban Locum Jobs
- Rural and remote areas pay significantly more than metropolitan hospitals.
- Major city locum jobs (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) tend to have lower pay due to a larger pool of available doctors.
Demand for Specialties
- Specialties like emergency medicine, anaesthetics, and psychiatry always attract premium rates.
- Seasonal demand can also increase locum rates—e.g., hospitals hire more ED locums during flu season.
On-Call & Overtime Pay
- Locums who agree to on-call duties and overnight shifts can double their earnings in some locations.
- High-acuity rural hospitals often pay bonuses for overnight coverage.
Travel & Accommodation Benefits
- Many locum contracts include free flights, car rentals, and accommodation for doctors working in regional hospitals.
- Some contracts even offer retention bonuses for doctors who stay for 3+ months.
3. Best Locations for High-Paying Locum Jobs in Australia
If you’re looking for top-tier locum pay, location matters just as much as your specialty. While locum doctors are in demand across Australia, some regions offer significantly higher earnings due to workforce shortages, remote conditions, and government incentives. Whether you prefer the adventure of the Outback, the tranquility of coastal towns, or the fast pace of city hospitals, these locations provide the best-paying locum opportunities in 2025.
Highest-Paying Rural & Remote Areas
The farther you go from major cities, the higher the pay. Hospitals and clinics in remote and underserved areas offer premium locum rates, travel allowances, and accommodation benefits to attract doctors.
Top Remote Locations for High-Paying Locum Jobs:
Western Australia (WA) – Mining Towns & Rural Hospitals
Why? The demand for emergency and GP locums is sky-high due to isolated communities needing urgent medical care.
Northern Territory (NT) – Aboriginal Health Clinics & Outback Hospitals
Why? Many healthcare facilities struggle to maintain permanent staff, leading to top-dollar locum rates and financial incentives for extended contracts.
Far North Queensland – Cape York & Torres Strait Islands
Why? Locum doctors here get paid higher-than-average rates, plus the chance to experience tropical island life in Australia.
Tasmania – Coastal & Remote Hospitals
Why? Despite its small population, Tasmania offers competitive locum pay due to frequent staffing shortages in emergency medicine and mental health.
South Australia – Outback Regions
Why? Rural South Australia provides high-paying contracts for general practitioners (GPs), emergency doctors, and specialists, especially in mining and farming communities.
Pro Tip: Rural hospitals often cover travel and accommodation costs for locum doctors, making these assignments even more lucrative!
Highest-Paying Metro Areas (But Lower Than Rural)
While metro locum rates aren’t as high as rural areas, specialized roles and private hospitals still offer competitive pay, especially for short-term locums filling urgent vacancies.
Top City Locations for Locum Jobs:
Sydney & Melbourne – Private Hospitals & Urgent Care Centres
Why? Private facilities often pay a premium for short-term locums, especially in surgery, anaesthetics, and emergency medicine.
Brisbane – High-Demand Emergency Locum Roles
Why? With a growing population and frequent hospital overcrowding, Brisbane offers steady locum opportunities, particularly in emergency medicine.
Perth – Mixed GP & Hospital Locum Opportunities
Why? Perth balances high-paying GP and hospital locum jobs, with excellent lifestyle perks for doctors looking for flexibility.
Quick Takeaway: Rural and remote locum roles pay the most, but city-based doctors can still earn competitive locum rates—especially in high-demand specialties.
4. How to Secure the Best-Paying Locum Jobs with CC Medical
If you’re looking to maximise locum earnings in 2025, working with a trusted medical recruitment agency like CC Medical can help you find the best opportunities while streamlining the entire process. Here’s how:
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Access Exclusive Locum Contracts –
CC Medical has strong partnerships with hospitals and clinics across Australia, including high-paying rural and metro roles.
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Be Flexible with Locations –
Rural assignments pay more than city shifts, and CC Medical ensures seamless placement in high-demand areas.
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Get Personalised Job Matching –
Our recruitment experts help you find roles tailored to your specialty, experience, and preferences.
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Hassle-Free Travel & Accommodation –
CC Medical arranges flights, housing, and travel reimbursements, so you can focus on patient care.
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Fast Payments & Reliable Support –
With weekly payroll and dedicated consultant support, we ensure a stress-free locum experience.
Looking for high-paying locum jobs?
Contact CC Medical today and let us help you secure the
best locum opportunities in Australia!
Are you a doctor who's looking for work with high pay and career flexibility?
In 2025, locum doctors in Australia will continue to benefit from strong demand, flexible schedules, and top-tier earnings—especially in rural and remote areas.
If you’re a doctor looking to maximise your income while enjoying the freedom of locum work, now is the best time to explore high-paying locum opportunities in Australia.
Find Your Next High-Paying Locum Job with CC Medical!
Ready to earn top locum rates?
Contact CC Medical today
and let us help you secure
the best-paying locum roles across Australia.
