Melbourne - Location Report

WHAT 

WHERE

MELBOURNE

QUINTESSENTIAL MELBOURNE - A FEAST OF QUALITY

Melburnians' reputed obsession with good food and coffee appears to be true - that's said as a compliment and with great admiration.  For anyone who loves to wine, dine and explore the best in cafe culture, a visit to Melbourne is sure to leave you very well satisfied and planning your next trip back.

As well as the culinary appeal, there are wonderful arts and cultural activities; cutting edge shows, sporting events, world famous shopping, hidden laneways and vibrant markets, plus the simple pleasure of walking around a very pretty city taking in the old and new architecture and absorbing some of the history in the layers of this city - Australia's second most populous. There's so much to see and enjoy in Melbourne. Visit Melbourne is a good site to start for planning a trip.

Melbourne's street art in the lane-ways

GETTING AROUND

Melbourne is a very easily navigable city. Perfect for walking around the compact grid which makes up the city centre. The quintessential Melbourne Trams are free to hop on and off within the main city grid borders which makes it simple and fast to traverse the trips you may wish to take on your exploration. It's also a perfect (almost flat) city centre to walk around - this is the very best way to discover the hidden laneways, one of Melbourne's most engaging features.

To take trams or buses or trains outside the CBD city circle grid, simply pick up a Myki card and you're off - Details of how to travel in and around Melbourne are here.

The iconic Flinders Street Station.

FURTHER AFIELD

A few days in Melbourne gives the chance to explore the city and perhaps further afield too. Have a look at some ideas for regional Victoria here. There are stunning wineries in areas including the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula and the chance to stop in some lovely country towns to enjoy a tranquil lunch and take in some Australian country history - perhaps take a drive to the Dandenong or Macedon Ranges. There are incredible coastlines to explore close to Melbourne too. If you want to add a few memorable days on to a trip to Victoria, you can include the Great Ocean Road, an Australian National Heritage listed stretch of road, of approximately 240km that runs along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford.

HELPING FIND THE BEST OF MELBOURNE

Here is a good link from Trip Advisor to some top ideas for your Melbourne experience; and a few more listed in That's Melbourne.

Broadsheet is always a great source of fabulous restaurants, cafes and bars; as well as the best in local fashion, shopping, events and places to visit such as Melbourne's wonderful museums and art galleries.

Melbourne locals love a good cafe. If you want a head start on where to chase down some of the city's best coffee, have a look at The Urban List or Good Food as well for Melbourne's top 50 cafes.

A couple of the Prescript team's favourite places for breakfast or coffee are:

Cumulus Inc, an excellent all day restaurant and bar.  Higher Ground, magnificent in its large space and serving great food, and coffee of course.

The lists of great things to see, do and enjoy in Melbourne could go on and on! We hope this is helpful and please do contact us for more details about visiting Melbourne or regional Victoria for work and play.

Melbourne by night

Click to ask Nicola more about melbourne

Melbourne

Mildura - Location Report

WHAT 

WHERE

MILDURA

QUINTESSENTIAL MILDURA

“Sunny, sultry Mildura is something of an oasis amid some really dry country, a modern town with its roots firmly in the grand old pastoralist era. Its other calling cards include art deco buildings and some of the best dining in provincial Victoria. The hinterland, too, is worth exploring, from the nearby wilderness national parks to Murray River activities that include fishing, swimming, canoeing, waterskiing, houseboating, taking a paddle-steamer cruise or playing on riverside golf courses. The weather up here is very much blue sky – you can expect warm, sunny days even in midwinter.”

— lonelyplanet.com

---

THINGS TO DO

WINERIES

Discover local wines at welcoming cellar doors around the Mildura region. Meet the winemakers and hear about how they make their wines using state of the art techniques and equipment or traditional practices. As well as serving up great wines for you to sample and enjoy, some cellar doors and wineries run restaurants in beautiful surroundings and host musical and gourmet events.

Varieties - Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. 

LOCAL PRODUCE MAP

Paddleboats

Board a historic paddleboat for a river cruise. Once an important trading route, the Murray River was busy with boats carrying wool from the region's stations and homesteads. 

PARKS AND NATURE

Did you know there are over one million hectares of national parks around the Mildura region? Pink Lakes - spectacular colours – click to read why it is has been given its name! Visit the World Heritage Mungo National Park, home of the famous Mungo Lady and Mungo Man, and explore a place rich in Aboriginal history. 

See more - click here for the Visit Mildura list of other parks to visit.

TOURS

Discover Mildura are organisers of day trips in and around Mildura.  Run by locals who can help you explore the Mungo National Park, explain the local history with heritage trails and show off the best of the food and wine available.

WHERE TO EAT

Stefano's Café Bakery – Great coffee & pastries
Pizza Café at the Grand – Modern Italian
Jim McDougall in Stefano's Cellar - fresh, contemporary menu

WHERE TO STAY

Wide variety of choice available – from camping to luxury options and everything in-between (you can also sleep on a houseboat as you glide down the river!). Click here for Visit Mildura's list of options.

“Mildura is sunny, pretty and relaxed. I loved the palm trees, wide streets with great cafes where you can sit outside and watch the world go by.”

— Ian Ormesher // Prescript Recruitment

GETTING THERE

Mildura is on the border of New South Wales and Victoria as well as being less than a 90 minute drive from South Australia.  Well connected with flights from Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne.

 

“Mildura’s big blue skies, sun soaked days and welcoming locals will cast a long and lasting impression, leaving treasured memories of holidays here.”

— visitmildura.com.au

---

KEEN TO WORK IN MILDURA?

Prescript can help great doctors find great places to work in both locum and permanent positions. Call us on 1300 755 498 or email contact@prescript.com.au - we'd love to hear from you.

Alternatively, click on the button below to 'register as a candidate', 'subscribe for updates' or 'request a call'. 

Radiologists - Live in NZ & Locum in Australia

• Fancy some tropical sunshine?
• Like to earn extra $$$ for a special gift, project or just the mortgage?
• Want to give your family a new experience in a new location?

---

There are all sorts of reasons New Zealand radiologists love to come and locum in Australia, but how does it work?

Here is an overview of the steps we take at Prescript to make it easy for you….and some wonderful locations to inspire you!

“By the way, I’m a New Zealander, from Nelson, who moved to Australia 15 years ago. I will always be a Kiwi though and visit family regularly. My experience gives me an affinity with other New Zealanders, and the questions you may have about working here, whether for a few days or longer term”

— Nicola Speer

---

WHAT IS A LOCUM?

A locum, meaning in this case, a temporary job in a hospital or imaging clinic, gives an immense amount of freedom and scope for Kiwi radiologists. We guide you through to make it seamless and time efficient – see more on this below.

Typically you can locum for a minimum of 5 days, through to monthly blocks. Some radiologists have come to locum and loved it so much, they have transferred into a permanent role in Australia and stayed.

Another option for anyone wishing to spend a few months or a year exploring Australia, is for us to arrange back-to-back locums for you in locations that appeal to you. This is a wonderful way to see the country, and be paid.

The admin & organisation is very much taken care of by Prescript. This typically includes flights for you as the doctor, being booked and paid for; accommodation for the duration of your locum; and a rental car. 

You are paid a generous daily rate, in Australian dollars. We work personally with you to ensure you have all the information you need regarding how you’re paid and how to understand your tax obligations.

---

WHERE CAN I LOCUM?

Now for the juicy bit! When you have a country as vast and diverse as Australia, you’re never going to be short of choice. In fact, choosing just where you want to go, can sometimes be a bit daunting and that we can certainly provide help with.

When we talk to New Zealand radiologists, we discuss all aspects of time-availability and professional skill and interest, but also your personal and lifestyle preferences and those of your family, if you’re traveling with a partner and children.

Considerations to discuss with us may be about the time of year, climate and season. It may be regarding your preferences for city life, out-back adventure, tropical beaches, rural locations or Aboriginal communities. It may be you have family ties or friends somewhere here in Australia and want to spend some time with them. Whatever the case, it’s important to let us know so that we can accurately tailor this into the locum work we arrange for you.

---

HOW TO LOCUM?

Let’s break this into some easy steps – the details will be personal and tailored to you, but we hope this gives you some sense of the way the process flows.

1. Connect via the button below or directly with me – this is an easy and quick process and there is never any obligation, it just gives us a starting point for learning what you may like to do.
2. I'll chat to you at a time to suit – after work-hours is fine too. Either by telephone or Skype,  your choice. 
3. We talk through registration and confirm your eligibility to work here.
4. Then it’s all about the 'WHEN & WHERE'.
5. Fly in, connect with your new locum location and enjoy the change of scenery – Sweet as!

If you’d like to explore the idea of a locum in Australia, or indeed, if you’re considering a permanent move here, please drop me a line or contact us through our easy registration form below.

Thank you!

Nicola Speer //  0405429799 // nicola@prescript.com.au

Perth - Location Report

QUINTESSENTIAL perth

“Understated and leisurely with its incomparable beaches and beautiful warm weather, Western Australia’s capital is the perfect sunny escape. ”

— australia.com

THINGS TO DO

Explore Kings Park, Fremantle , Rottnest Island and much more on this list of the top 10 experiences in Perth. Click here.

1. Enjoy Spectacular Views in Kings Park
2. Explore Perth’s Diverse Precincts
3. Visit the Historic Seaside Port of Fremantle
4. Hit Perth’s Small Bars
5. Explore Perth’s Museum, Gallery and Zoo
6. Chill Out or Surf at Perth’s Best Beaches
7. Feel an Adrenalin Rush with Perth’s Adventure Activities
8. Hop on a Ferry to Rottnest Island and Meet Quokkas
9. Sail Perth’s Beautiful River and Coastline
10. Plan a Swan Valley Winery Day Trip

Restaurants & Bars

Urban List - best bars - choose from rooftop drinks at Door 49; Enrique's School for Bullfighting or Varnish on King (they all seem to share quite unique names!).

Urban List - best restaurants & cafes. Try The Shorehouse; Post in the CBD; Wildflower with its rooftop views.

GETTING THERE

Perth is about a 4 hour flight from Sydney and there are direct flights from Asia and the Middle East. Perth Airport website - click here 

HOTELS

Mr & Mrs Smith - boutique hotels in Perth

Tablet - boutique hotels in Perth.

---

Prescript can help great doctors find great places to work in both locum and permanent positions. Interested in Perth? Call us on 1300 755 498 or email contact@prescript.com.au - we'd love to hear from you.

Alternatively, click on the button below to 'register as a candidate', 'subscribe for updates' or 'request a call'. 

RANZCOG 2016 ASM

Going to RANZCOG 2016 ASM? Prescript hopes you have a successful and productive conference.  Perth is a great city to explore - let us know your tips to share in the comments below.

“Discover Perth’s city neighbourhoods, the alabaster sands of the clean, uncrowded beaches and meet Rottnest Island’s friendly quokkas. ”

— australia.com

Click to find the best of PLACES TO SEE AND THINGS TO DO IN PERTH from australia.com

Did you know Prescript is perfectly placed to help O&G doctors with locum and permanent positions across Australia? Ian and Elissa would love to hear from you.

Drinks, Coffee & Food // Gold Coast RANZCR ASM 2016

Where To Go? 

Not long now until everyone arrives on the Gold Coast for the annual RANZCR Conference 2016.

As well as the impressive line up of presentations and workshops, it's the ideal opportunity to catch up with colleagues and head out for an early breakfast or coffee, grab a bite for lunch or enjoy some drinks and a leisurely dinner.

Here are a few ideas for where to go. They are local links with candid overviews that offer a great snapshot of a variety of Gold Coast favourites.

The convention centre in located in Broadbeach where there are dozens of convenient places to get a bite to eat. If you do have time to venture further up or down the coast, you'll be sure to find some great places to stop too - Burleigh Heads, Mermaid Beach, Main Beach - As well as the famous Surfers Paradise. There's so much to choose from along the Gold Coast. Great food, wine and coffee culture is well and truly thriving here.

BREAKFASTS/CAFES

Metropolist - best breakfasts

RESTAURANTS

Metropolist - best restaurants

BARS

Metropolist - best bars

A few that jump out include the Garden Kitchen & Bar - Conveniently located, along with a number of other restaurants and bars, within Jupiters, Gold Coast. Open right throughout the day.

Social Eating House has a sensational menu - Maybe a good place for dinner one night? Moo Moo Restaurant sounds like a favourite with locals and visitors too.

The relatively new Little Mermaid, looks great for breakfast - Located at Mermaid Beach.

For something really rustic and unique to the Gold Coast, you can take a trip to Miami and find Paddock. A charming bakery with a great vibe and fantastic food.

We hope that's helpful - Any tips and recommendations that you can share with us and other radiologists, please let us know - Send us an email or update on our Facebook, Twitter and Linked in pages.

All the best for the conference from the Prescript team - We look forward to meeting a number of radiologists and clients up there, as arranged, and still have some times free where we'd love to catch up for a coffee or drink. Please do send us a message or give us a call this week or while you're at the conference. We will be there on Friday and Saturday.

Thanks,

Nicola // nicola@prescript.com.au // 1300 755 498

Top Tips for New Arrivals To Australia

The Prescript team has a lot of experience in helping doctors relocate to Australia from overseas and we are experts at navigating the various regulatory obstacles that doctors encounter along the way. So you’ve got your AHPRA and visa paperwork done – congratulations! Now apart from getting over your jetlag, here are 6 key things to do on arrival down under.

1. Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)

In order to be paid in Australia, you need a Tax File Number (TFN) which you can apply for online here. Note that you can only do this once you are actually in the country. It can take up to 28 days to get a TFN but you can still be paid in the meantime, though it will be at the highest tax rate.

2. Enrol with Medicare

If your home country has a reciprocal agreement with Australia, enrolling in Medicare will ensure that you are covered for basic medical expenses whilst you are here. To register, go to a Medicare office with your passport and evidence of your visa. Click here for details of office locations

3. Open a Bank Account

Opening a bank account is a straight forward process as long as you take your passport and have a postal address to open your account (your hospital accommodation address will do initially). The “Big 4” banks are Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), National Australia Bank (NAB), Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) and Westpac.

I would recommend choosing one of these four for the simple reason that in Australia you still get charged for using another bank’s ATM, and the big banks have the most ATMs nationally.

It’s also common for banks to charge a nominal monthly fee for an everyday transaction account but if you pay a certain amount in each month, those fees are usually waived.

4. Get Connected

There are three main mobile networks: Telstra (best coverage but most expensive), Optus (decent coverage, not as expensive), Vodafone (coverage has improved massively after once being known as “Vodafail,” competitive pricing and good deals on roaming and international calls).

If you already have a phone that you’re happy with, it might be a good idea just to get a SIM-only plan which shouldn’t set you back more than about $40 per month.

Having a Pay as You Go phone might make you feel like a teenager again but they are surprisingly good value. If you’re getting a pay monthly plan, you will need to show your passport and visa in order to be approved.

5. Check Your Driver’s Licence

This isn’t something that you will need to organise when you first arrive but there are a few things to be aware of regarding driving in Australia. First and foremost - we drive on the left!

Depending on the state or territory that you’ll be living in, laws and regulations on driving will differ. In most parts of the country, visiting drivers are not required to obtain an Australian driver’s licence for the first 3 months provided your overseas licence or international driving permit remain current. You must have your licence with you at all times when driving.

Beware - kangaroos are most likely to bounce into the road at dawn and dusk! 

Refer to the following state departments for further information about licences: ACT NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA

6. Stock Up on the Basics

Coles and Woolworths are the two main supermarkets operating across Australia. They can be found in every town and there isn’t much to set them apart from each other. Some stores will even have an international food section where you can stock up on treats from back home such as Cadbury’s chocolate, packets of Taytos and Wine Gums. Bon appetit!

---

I specialise in placing doctors in locum and permanent roles across Australia. At Prescript, we pride ourselves on providing a highly personalised concierge service to doctors looking for the next step in their career. Interested to find out more? Get in touch on ian@prescript.com.au or 1300 755 498