How to Find a Locum GP Fast: A Checklist for Practice Managers
To find a locum GP fast, be clear about the dates and the type of work, go to someone who already knows which doctors are available, and complete the registration and provider number checks before the first day, not on it. Most delays come from the last two steps, not the first.
Every practice manager knows the call. A GP is unwell, a family emergency comes up, or a resignation lands with four weeks’ notice. The appointment book is full, patients are waiting, and the rest of your medical staff are already stretched. Finding cover quickly is not a nice-to-have. It is what keeps the clinic running.
Speed matters, but the right fit matters more. A locum who does not suit your patient mix, your billing model or your software creates a different problem. This checklist covers how to find locum doctors quickly without trading away the quality your patients expect.
At a Glance: What to Prepare Before Booking a Locum GP
Have these ready before you contact a locum or agency. The checklist below explains each step in detail.
- Dates, days and session times you need covered
- Type of work: general consults, chronic disease, procedures, aged care visits or after-hours
- Your billing model and clinical software
- Support available on site: nurses, reception and other GPs
- Budget for rates, travel and accommodation
- Who will check registration, the Medicare provider number and indemnity
- An orientation pack and a named contact for the locum’s first day
What Is a Locum GP?
A locum GP is a qualified general practitioner who temporarily covers for another doctor at a GP clinic. Practices use locum doctors for annual leave, parental leave, illness, busy seasons, and the gap between a GP leaving and a permanent replacement starting.
A locum medical doctor is held to the same professional standards as your permanent GPs. They need current registration with the Medical Board of Australia, a Medicare provider number for your location, and appropriate medical indemnity cover. The only real difference is the length of the arrangement. It might be one day, two weeks or six months.
The Checklist: How to Find a Locum GP in 7 Steps1
1. Be specific about what you need
The fastest bookings come from clear requirements. Before you contact anyone, write down the dates, days and session times. Note the type of work the locum will do. Is it general consults, chronic disease management, women’s health, procedures, aged care visits or after-hours? Include your billing model, the clinical software you use, and how much support the doctor will have on site.
This takes ten minutes and saves days. A locum or agency can only say yes quickly when they know exactly what they are saying yes to.
2. Start earlier than you think you need to
Planned leave should be covered four to eight weeks ahead. Christmas, January and school holidays need more time again, because every practice in the region is looking for the same doctors at the same time.
For urgent gaps, act on the day and be flexible where you can. A locum who can do four days instead of five is better than an empty consult room for the full week.
3. Work with a locum GP agency that knows your type of practice
An experienced locum GP agency already knows which doctors are available, where they are willing to work, and what kind of practice suits them. That knowledge is what makes it fast.
Finding the right locum takes industry knowledge, not just a job board. A good agency matches the doctor to your location, patient mix and software. It checks registration and references, helps arrange travel and accommodation for regional placements, and keeps you informed so you are not chasing anyone.
4. Use the relationships you already have
Your own network is often the quickest route to a familiar face. Ask your GPs whether they know someone available. Contact locums who have worked with you before. Talk to nearby practices about doctors they trust.
A locum who already knows your systems, your staff and your patients starts productively from the first session. That is why it pays to look after every locum who comes through your door. The relationship you build today is the cover you can call on next year.
5. Complete the checks before you confirm
This is where most last-minute delays happen. Before confirming the booking, check four things.
First, confirm the doctor’s registration on the public register at ahpra.gov.au. Second, make sure they have a Medicare provider number for your practice location. This is issued by Services Australia and can take time, so start it as soon as the booking is agreed. Third, sight a current medical indemnity certificate that suits the work they will be doing. Fourth, if the doctor trained overseas, check whether any Medicare restrictions apply to them and confirm your location’s current DPA status on the Health Workforce Locator.
Recent references from other practices complete the picture. These checks are a core part of your clinical governance. They protect your patients, your doctors and your accreditation.
6. Put the terms in writing
Agree the rate or billing percentage, the session times, who covers travel and accommodation, and the cancellation terms. Confirm all of it in writing before the start date.
Clear terms protect the working relationship. Misunderstandings about money or hours are the fastest way to lose a good locum. For current market benchmarks, see our guide to Locum GP Rates in Australia 2026.
7. Prepare the clinic, not just the booking
A locum can only work as fast as your systems allow. Have their software and e-prescribing logins ready and tested. Send an orientation pack that covers referral pathways, local pathology and imaging, hospital contacts, key policies, emergency procedures and infection control. Flag any patients who need follow-up, and name one person they can go to with questions on day one.
Health professionals remember the practices that made them feel welcome and organised. Those are the practices they come back to.
Before the First Day: Quick Checklist
- Medical Board registration confirmed on the public register
- Medicare provider number for your location approved
- Indemnity insurance certificate received
- Signed agreement with rates, hours and cancellation terms
- Software logins created and tested
- Orientation pack sent
- Travel and accommodation confirmed (regional placements)
- Reception team briefed and appointment book opened
How Much Does a Locum GP Cost?
Locum GP rates depend on location, hours, billing model and urgency. Regional and remote clinics, short-notice bookings and holiday periods usually sit at the higher end, and travel and accommodation are often added for regional placements.
Rather than guessing, check current benchmarks before you negotiate. Our Locum GP Rates in Australia 2026 guide sets these out for practices and GPs.
Finding a Locum GP for a Regional Practice
Regional GP clinics face the hardest version of this problem. The pool of available locum doctors is smaller, travel adds time, and holiday periods are fully booked early.
Practical support makes the biggest difference. A furnished place to stay, help with travel and a well-organised clinic often decide which placement a locum chooses. It also helps to know whether your location is a Distribution Priority Area (DPA). DPA status affects where many overseas-trained doctors can work while billing Medicare. It is based on the Modified Monash Model (MMM) and other factors, and classifications are updated from time to time, so don’t assume a regional location automatically qualifies. Check your practice’s current status on the Health Workforce Locator at health.gov.au before you start recruiting. If your location is a DPA, it can widen the pool of eligible doctors.
Above all, work with people who understand regional practice. Matching a locum to a clinic in Mildura or Wangaratta is not the same as filling a session in inner Melbourne.
Locum GP Agency or Finding One Yourself?
Both options have a place. The right choice depends on how much time you have and how hard the gap is to fill.
A locum GP agency is faster. It draws on an existing pool of available doctors and handles the credential checks for you. Very little of your team’s time is needed. This makes it the better option for urgent gaps, regional clinics and peak periods like Christmas and school holidays.
Finding a locum yourself takes longer. It depends on your network and any job ads you place, and your team does the checks. It can take significant time, especially at short notice. It works best when you are rebooking a locum who already knows your practice.
Most well-run practices use both: their own relationships for familiar faces, and an agency when time is short or the gap is hard to fill.
How Medcare Can Help
Medcare by Caretakers Australia finds locum and permanent GPs, nurses and medical staff for GP clinics across metro, regional and rural Australia.
We start by understanding your practice: your location, your patients, your team and the way you work. Only then do we introduce doctors who fit. We verify credentials and handle compliance, we support practices recruiting international medical graduates, and there are no upfront recruitment costs.
If you have leave to cover or a gap you cannot fill, tell us the dates. Call 03 9419 4814 or email medcare@caretakersaustralia.com.au.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a locum GP?
A locum GP is a qualified general practitioner who temporarily covers for another doctor at a GP clinic. This might be during leave or illness, or while the practice recruits a permanent GP.
How do I find a locum GP for my practice?
Confirm your dates and requirements, then contact a locum GP agency, your own network of doctors, or both. An agency is usually fastest because it already knows which doctors are available and has checked their credentials.
How far in advance should we book a locum GP?
For planned leave, start four to eight weeks ahead. Book earlier for Christmas, January and school holidays, when demand for locum doctors is highest.
How much does a locum GP cost in Australia?
Rates vary with location, hours, billing model and urgency, and regional and short-notice placements usually cost more. See our Locum GP Rates in Australia 2026 guide for current benchmarks.
What does a locum GP need before they start?
They need current registration with the Medical Board of Australia, a Medicare provider number for your practice location, and medical indemnity insurance. Your clinic should also provide software access and an orientation pack.
Can an overseas-trained GP work as a locum in Australia?
Yes, if they hold the right registration and meet any Medicare requirements that apply to them. Some overseas-trained doctors can only bill Medicare in a Distribution Priority Area, so check your location’s current DPA status on the Health Workforce Locator before booking.
Who pays for a locum GP’s travel and accommodation?
It depends on the agreement. For regional placements, the practice often covers travel and accommodation, so confirm this in writing before the booking.