A higher income. A better lifestyle. A more meaningful impact.
Imagine this: you're earning double what you do in the city, working fewer hours, and spending your weekends outdoors instead of in traffic. You’re not stuck on hospital rosters or burnt out by endless bulk-billing, you're part of a community, delivering real care, with real rewards.
At Prescript, we’ve helped hundreds of doctors discover what’s possible when they look beyond metro hospitals and into regional, rural, and remote Australia. Whether you're a GP, ED Registrar, FACEM, psychiatrist or anaesthetist, there are exceptional opportunities out there for both locum and permanent doctors.
So, let’s talk numbers.
What could you earn as a rural doctor?
Permanent positions:
Doctors working in rural Australia can earn significantly more than their city-based peers, sometimes six figures more.
State/Territory | General Practitioners (GPs) | Specialists |
New South Wales (NSW) | $240,000 – $310,000 | $300,000 – $500,000 |
Victoria (VIC) | $240,000 – $310,000 | $290,000 – $480,000 |
Queensland (QLD) | $240,000 – $310,000 | $280,000 – $470,000 |
South Australia (SA) | $235,000 – $290,000 | $270,000 – $460,000 |
Western Australia (WA) | $250,000 – $300,000 | $290,000 – $500,000 |
Tasmania (TAS) | $230,000 – $280,000 | $260,000 – $450,000 |
Northern Territory (NT) | $260,000 – $320,000 | $300,000 – $520,000 |
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | $245,000 – $305,000 | $280,000 – $490,000 |
Note: Salaries can vary based on experience, specialty, and specific location within each state.
Locum work: where the rewards grow fast
Locum doctors are often paid at significantly higher rates, not just for flexibility and skill, but because you’re stepping in where you’re truly needed.
Role/Specialty | Daily Rate |
General Practitioners (GPs) | $1,200 – $3,500+ |
Registrars | $100 – $180 per hour |
Consultants/Specialists | $1,800 – $4,500+ per day |
Emergency Medicine (FACEMs) | $2,500 – $4,000 per shift |
Anaesthetists | $2,000 – $4,500+ per day |
Psychiatrists | $2,000 – $4,500+ per day |
Note: Rates can vary based on location, demand, and level of experience.
Exceptional Offers in Rural Australia
While many rural doctors already earn well above metro averages, certain high-need areas go even further to attract doctors. In early 2025, Julia Creek in remote Queensland made headlines with an offer of $428,000 per year, plus free accommodation, a car, relocation support, and no rent or bills, with reports suggesting that figure could rise to $680,000 for the right doctor.
These aren’t just one-offs. Across rural WA, NT, and outback QLD, we’re seeing generous packages from communities that deeply value their medical staff. These roles often come with:
Financial incentives through state and federal schemes
Subsidised housing and utility costs
Generous CPD and relocation allowances
If you’re open to adventure and impact, opportunities like this are more accessible than you might think.
Why does rural medicine pay more?
1. You're in demand… and valued
There’s a critical shortage of doctors in rural Australia. That means towns, hospitals, and governments are offering generous pay and incentives to attract and retain skilled clinicians.
In some MM3–MM7 areas, GPs can earn up to $110,000 more through schemes like:
Workforce Incentive Program Doctor Stream
Workforce Incentive Program – Rural Advanced Skills Stream
Rural Procedural Grants Program (RPGP)
On top of that, relocation assistance, housing, and CPD funding are often included. Not sure what incentives are available to you? Let’s connect. At Prescript, it's our mission to help doctors find exciting careers in regional Australia, from navigating incentives to handling logistics and credentialling ... even figuring out where to get a coffee!
2. You can bill more, and more broadly
Rural GPs often work to their full scope of practice and can bill for a wider range of services. Many clinics offer private billing or mixed models, meaning higher per-patient revenue.
And with lower no-show rates, fewer appointment gaps, and higher patient trust, your sessions go further, financially and professionally.
3. You can try locuming without long-term commitment
If you’re not ready to relocate, locum work is a great way to explore rural medicine while earning exceptional pay. From a one-week fill-in to multi-month contracts, we help you choose your terms and support you with logistics, credentialing, and onboarding. Learn more: Locuming in Australia
4. Your pay goes further
In most regional areas, your rent or mortgage could be half what it is in the city. Living costs are often significantly lower, and you may be eligible for accommodation subsidies, or even free housing during your locum.
That means more savings, more freedom, and more options for your future.
More than money: What else makes it worth it?
At Prescript, we believe rural doctors don’t just earn more, they gain more. Here’s what many of our doctors tell us:
I finally had the time to connect with patients and with my family.
I saw everything from paediatrics to trauma in a single week. It was the most clinically interesting job I’ve had.
It gave me breathing room, financially and emotionally.
Whether you're looking for a flexible lifestyle, career growth, or a meaningful way to practise medicine, rural Australia offers it all.
Your next move starts here. Let’s talk.
There’s no one-size-fits-all path, and that’s where we come in.
At Prescript, we make it easy by matching you with the right role, helping you understand incentives, and taking care of the admin so you can focus on what matters. Whether you're curious about a short-term locum or planning a permanent move, we’ll help you every step of the way.
Let’s talk about what’s possible. hello@prescript.com.au
