How Do I Get Paid As A Locum Doctor?
Getting paid on time and with the minimum fuss is essential when you are a locum doctor. My role at Prescript is to make sure you can concentrate on your locum position and take away any burden with pay administration.
Along with our hands-on credentialing and logistical support in getting you there, another service, that I believe sets us apart, is ensuring that both our clients (hospitals, clinics and medical practices) and our candidates (consultants, registrars and RMOs) experience speedy and fuss-free processing around getting paid.
Your Payment Options
To some extent, our health service clients (health districts, hospitals and clinics) dictate what process they require when it comes to paying you, but these often come with options.
Paid directly by the health service
Payroll - What You Do and What We Do
➡️ I will confirm the process / weekly rhythm with you in advance.
➡️ Typically you will complete a weekly time-sheet (electronically or sometimes paper-based).
➡️ Have this approved by a Consultant or Head of Department.
➡️ Submit online and/or send a copy to me.
➡️ You get paid!
ℹ️ Most health services have a pay schedule frequency - I will let you know when to expect to be paid.
ℹ️ If your pay is delayed, I will follow on up on your behalf.
Paid directly by the health service
Invoice - What You Do and What We Do
➡️ I will confirm the process / weekly rhythm with you in advance.
➡️ I will ask you about your business structure - sole trader, partnership, company or trust?
➡️ I will check it meets the health service requirement (ℹ️ please note that most health services prefer to deal only with a Company - Pty Ltd or a Trust).
➡️ You may need to provide evidence of business insurances (PI, PL & WC).
➡️ If requested, I can draw up an invoice template that can be used, plus I can draft your weekly invoice for review & approval before sending to the health service.
➡️ You get paid!
ℹ️ We cannot advise which business structure you should choose
ℹ️ If you are unsure which business structure to choose, we recommend you talk to your tax, business or legal adviser
ℹ️ Please note that most health services prefer to deal only with a Company - Pty Ltd or a Trust
ℹ️ You may need to provide evidence of business insurances (PI, PL & WC)
ℹ️ If your payment is delayed, I will follow on up on your behalf.
Paid by the health service
VMoney Web (for NSW Health VMOs) - What You Do and What We Do
➡️ I will confirm the process / weekly rhythm with you in advance.
➡️ Online system - access granted by NSW HealthShare Services.
➡️ You will be able to log in and record your hours.
➡️ You get paid!
ℹ️ If your pay is delayed, I will follow on up on your behalf.
Paid by Prescript
Prescript’s payroll service - What You Do and What We Do
➡️ Payment via Prescript’s payroll partner.
➡️ Salary packaging options available.
➡️ I will confirm the process / weekly rhythm with you in advance.
➡️ Typically you will complete a weekly time-sheet.
➡️ Have this approved by a Consultant or Head of Department.
➡️ Please email me your time-sheet by Tuesday at 10am to be paid by Friday.
➡️ You get paid!
Paid by Prescript
Invoice - What You Do and What We Do
➡️ I will confirm the process / weekly rhythm with you in advance.
➡️ I will ask you about your business structure - sole trader, partnership, company or trust?
➡️ Please note that only a Company - Pty Ltd or a Trust can invoice Prescript directly.
➡️ You will need to provide evidence of business insurances (PI, PL & WC).
➡️ If requested, I can draw up an invoice template that can be used, plus I can draft your weekly invoice for review & approval.
➡️ You may still need to complete a weekly time-sheet to accompany your invoice.
➡️ You get paid!
FAQ
Please note: Prescript cannot provide any financial advice, or advice on business structure, insurances, tax or super.
FAQ - What insurances do I need?
Some health services will provide you with full medical indemnity cover for your locum; others will expect you to hold your own cover. We always recommend that you obtain your own advice about appropriate medical indemnity cover from an insurance provider.
If you are using a business structure for invoicing a health service (or Prescript) directly, you may be asked to provide evidence of General and Professional Liability Insurance, plus Workers Compensation. Again, get advice so you have the right protection in place.
FAQ - Can I invoice as a Sole Trader?
Prescript cannot provide any advice on a business structure. We can pass on the requirements of health services we work with, and many prefer to deal only with a Company - Pty Ltd or a Trust. This means for locum positions at those clients, invoicing as a sole trader is not an option.
Some health services will accept invoices from a Sole Trader (this is becoming less available). There can be tax and super obligations for the health service when you invoice as a sole trader – for example, you may be an employee for superannuation guarantee purposes. This means your daily or hourly rate may be inclusive of super.
FAQ - I Am Visiting From Overseas - Do I Need An Australian Business Structure?
An example is that sometimes Australian/NZ trained doctors living overseas decide to do a one-off locum. They can fill in a “Statement by a supplier not quoting an ABN” form from the ATO, and this means you can locum with less of a bureaucratic burden.
Temporary ABN waivers need to be approved by health services in advance (ask first!) and you may need to provide an accompanying letter from your accountant saying you are meeting your tax obligations in your country of residence.
About Hugo Scales
Hugo Scales is Prescript’s Finance and Payments Manager. His focus is on making sure doctors are paid correctly, promptly and smoothly.
There are three ways to contact Hugo:
Call Hugo on 1300 755 498
Email hugo@prescript.com.au
Click to ‘Connect with Prescript’
At Prescript we’re known for helping solve the regional doctor shortage in Australia.
Every day we’re focused on two clear outcomes - Helping hospitals find doctors that create departments and clinics that run better, have more capacity and less stress. And placing Doctors in jobs that leave them feeling highly valued, rewarded and, most importantly, enjoying what they do.
We believe that when we get these two crucial things right, it has a huge impact on the regional doctor shortage and the healthcare of communities across Australia.
There are three ways to contact us:
Call 1300 755 498
Email contact@prescript.com.au
Click 'Connect with Prescript'
We’d love to hear from you!