How much do doctors earn in Australia?
Doctor salaries range from AUD $80,000 for RMOs to $400,000+ for specialists, with locum roles offering higher daily rates.
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Medical Jobs in Australia & New Zealand
Explore locum, contract, and permanent medical jobs across Australia and New Zealand. Whether you’re seeking higher earnings, greater flexibility, or a new clinical environment, Global Medics connects you with opportunities that align with your specialty, experience and long-term career goals.
Find Your Next Locum or Permanent Doctor Job Across AU & NZ
With over 20 years of experience in medical recruitment, we work with a wide network of public and private healthcare providers, offering access to roles across metropolitan hospitals, regional centres and rural communities.
Search current roles or register your interest to get matched with suitable opportunities.
✔ 20+ years placing doctors across AU & NZ
✔ Extensive hospital network
✔ Dedicated specialist consultants
Browse Doctor Jobs by Specialty
Doctors across all major specialties are in high demand across Australia and New Zealand. Our consultants specialise in specific disciplines, allowing us to provide targeted opportunities and insights into hiring trends.
Find opportunities across high-demand medical specialties:
Each specialty presents different opportunities depending on location, demand and workforce shortages. For example, Emergency Medicine and Psychiatry roles are consistently in high demand in regional areas, while GP roles remain critical across both metro and rural settings.
Why Doctors Choose Global Medics
Choosing the right recruitment partner can significantly impact your career progression and job satisfaction. Global Medics is a specialist medical recruitment agency focused exclusively on placing doctors across Australia and New Zealand.
Specialist-Led Recruitment
Our consultants work within defined medical specialties, giving them a strong understanding of workforce demand, credentialing requirements and career pathways. This ensures more relevant job matching and faster placement.
Extensive Healthcare Network
We partner with leading hospitals, health services and private clinics, providing access to opportunities that are not always advertised publicly.
Flexible Work Options
Doctors can choose between locum, contract and permanent roles depending on their personal and professional goals. Locum roles, in particular, provide flexibility and the ability to explore different clinical environments.
End-to-End Support
From registration and compliance to interview coordination and onboarding, our team supports you at every stage of the recruitment process.
Types of Doctor Roles Available
The Australian and New Zealand healthcare systems offer a wide range of employment structures for doctors.
Locum Doctor Jobs
Locum roles are short-term placements that allow doctors to work flexibly across different locations. These roles often come with competitive daily rates, and in many cases include travel and accommodation support.
Permanent Doctor Roles
Permanent positions provide long-term career stability and are ideal for doctors seeking progression within a specific hospital or healthcare network.
Locum & Regional Roles
Locum and regional roles are increasingly popular due to higher pay rates and additional incentives. These opportunities are particularly common in rural and remote areas where demand for doctors remains high.
Public vs Private Sector Roles
Doctors can choose to work within public health systems or private healthcare providers, each offering different working environments, patient demographics and career pathways.
Doctor Salary & Demand in Australia & New Zealand
Salary expectations are a critical factor for doctors considering roles in Australia and New Zealand. Compensation varies depending on experience level, specialty and location.
The following are indicative salary ranges and may vary depending on state, specialty, seniority, hours worked, and healthcare setting.
Australia
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Resident Medical Officer (RMO): AUD $80,000 – $110,000
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Registrar: AUD $110,000 – $180,000
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Consultant / Specialist: AUD $180,000 – $400,000+
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Locum Doctors: AUD $1,200 – $3,000+ per day, depending on role and location
New Zealand
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Resident Medical Officer (RMO): NZD $70,000 – $100,000
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Registrar: NZD $100,000 – $170,000
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Consultant / Specialist: NZD $170,000 – $350,000+
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Locum Doctors: Often NZD $1,000 – $2,500+ per day, depending on role and location
Locum roles often provide higher short-term earnings, especially in high-demand specialties such as Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry and General Practice.
Demand Trends
Regional and rural areas consistently experience the highest demand for doctors. These roles often offer financial incentives, accommodation support and greater clinical autonomy. Metro roles, while competitive, provide access to larger healthcare facilities and specialised services.
Requirements to Work as a Doctor in Australia & New Zealand
To practise as a doctor in Australia or New Zealand, candidates must meet specific regulatory and professional requirements.
Key requirements include:
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Registration with AHPRA (Australia) or Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ)
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Recognised medical qualifications
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Relevant clinical experience
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English language proficiency (if required)
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Work rights or appropriate visa
For international doctors, the process may involve additional assessments, including pathway evaluations and supervised practice.
Global Medics provides guidance throughout the registration process, helping doctors navigate compliance requirements efficiently and reduce delays in starting work.
Where You Can Work
Doctor jobs are available across a wide range of locations, each offering unique professional and lifestyle benefits.
Australia:
Opportunities are available in major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, as well as in regional and rural areas where demand is highest.
New Zealand:
Roles are available in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, along with regional centres that offer strong demand and attractive incentives.
Regional vs Metro Considerations:
Regional roles often provide higher salaries, relocation assistance and broader clinical exposure. Metro roles offer access to specialised departments and structured career progression pathways.
Doctor Career Pathways
Understanding career progression is essential when evaluating job opportunities.
A typical medical career pathway includes:
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RMO (Resident Medical Officer)
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Registrar
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Consultant / Specialist
As doctors progress, they may choose to specialise further in areas such as Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry or Surgery.
Each stage brings increased responsibility, higher earning potential and opportunities for subspecialisation.
Locum work can also play a strategic role in career development, allowing doctors to gain diverse experience across multiple healthcare settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between locum and permanent roles?
Locum roles are short-term placements offering flexibility, while permanent roles provide long-term stability and career progression.
Can international doctors work in Australia?
Yes, provided they meet AHPRA registration and visa requirements.
Which specialties are in highest demand?
GP, Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry, and Rural Generalist roles are consistently in high demand.
