National Rural Locum Program

The National Rural Locum Program is an element of the Rural Health Workforce Strategy to improve rural and remote health workforce shortages. The program comprises of the Specialist Obstetrician Locum Scheme (SOLS), the GP Anaesthetist Locum Scheme (GPALS) and the Rural GP Locum Program (RGPLP). These programs have been developed to ensure rural doctors are able to obtain adequate time for rest and professional development.

There are two elements to each of the programs:

1. Funding of a managing agency to implement a brokerage type service to match locums with rural doctors; and
2. Providing subsidies to doctors to cover the cost of locums.

Rural GP Locum Program

Rural GP Locum Program (RGPLP) will provide support to rural general practitioners (GPs) and improve rural workforce retention through the provision of locum services and subsidies to rural GPs to assist in meeting locum costs.

Further information on RGPLP is available from the Fact Sheet.

Specialist Obstetricians Locum Scheme

The Specialist Obstetricians Locum Scheme (SOLS) is a national initiative targeted at providing locum support for specialist obstetricians and GP obstetricians in rural and remote locations. SOLS was continued and provided funding in the 2008 Budget.

Further information on SOLS is available from the Fact Sheet.

GP Anaesthetist Locum Scheme

The GP Anaesthetist Locum Scheme (GPALS) commenced in September 2009 after the 2008/09 Budget, to provides locum support for GP anaesthetists in rural and remote locations.

Further information on GPALS is available from the Fact Sheet.