Prescript Recruitment Blog - Perfectly Placed For Doctors - Locum and Permanent Jobs

Psychiatrist

Locum Psychiatrists Wanted for Cairns’ Newest Mental Health Facility

Prescript Recruitment is proud to partner with Cairns Hospital as it embarks on one of the most significant expansions in mental health care in regional Queensland. For doctors seeking more than just a change of scenery, this is your chance to make a tangible difference while working in a facility that’s redefining modern psychiatry.

We specialise in placing doctors into roles that matter – locum, telehealth, and permanent – with a dedicated focus on regional, rural and remote communities. If you’re a psychiatrist who wants to use your skills where they’re needed most, this is a chance to step into meaningful work with full support behind you.

The Position

Cairns Hospital’s brand-new $84.3 million mental health facility opened in early 2025. Purpose-built and future-focused, it features 53 beds including 10 in a dedicated Mental Health Intensive Care Unit (PICU). This modern, recovery-oriented space includes:

  • A gymnasium

  • Sensory modulation rooms

  • Art therapy and activity areas

  • An occupational therapy kitchen

The hospital’s mental health service is structured around five dedicated medical teams, each supported by a Registrar, RMO, and Interns. The model allows for collaborative, consistent care across inpatient and community settings.

Further investments are underway – with a 10-bed Adolescent Unit scheduled to open in 2026 and a committed plan to build a dedicated Mother-Baby Unit.

Whether you prefer community-based, inpatient, or rural outreach settings, there’s an opportunity for you here.

Dates Available

Child & Youth Community Setting

  • 6 May – 30 May 2025

  • 1 September – 31 December 2025

Inpatient Unit

  • 14 April – 30 May 2025

  • 6 May – 3 August 2025

  • 1 September – 31 December 2025

Rural Communities – Tablelands (Atherton & Mareeba)

  • 29 September – 10 October 2025

Rural Community – Innisfail, Tully, Mossman & Kuranda

  • 28 April – 27 June 2025

Adult Community Setting

  • 19 May – 30 May 2025

  • 11 August – 12 September 2025

  • 27 October – 31 December 2025

Adult Community – Additional Dates

  • 6 May – 16 May 2025

  • 20 July – 3 August 2025

Benefits Provided

  • Excellent Daily Rate – $2,625 per day

  • Predictable Schedule – Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm

  • Zero On-Call – No nights, no weekends, no after-hours

  • Travel Covered – Flights, accommodation, and car hire are all reimbursed

  • Concierge-Level Support – We take care of the details, so you can focus on care

  • Make a Real Difference – Contribute directly to closing the care gap in regional Queensland

What We’re Looking For

This is an ideal opportunity for psychiatrists who want to work in a region where your expertise is not just valued—it’s vital.

You’ll need:

  • FRANZCP

  • Experience in adult, inpatient, community, child & youth or rural psychiatry

  • A collaborative, people-first mindset

  • A willingness to support communities with limited mental health services

If you're someone who values both professional excellence and community impact, you'll be in the right place.

Your Next Steps

If you’re ready to take on locum work that truly matters, let’s talk.

Reach out for a confidential chat or to express your interest:

Nadine Onto
Senior Recruitment Partner
nadine@prescript.com.au
0420 641 123

At Prescript, we do more than fill rosters—we connect doctors to roles that change lives.
Prescript Recruitment – Perfectly Placed For Doctors.


Prescript are medical recruitment specialists.

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:

  1. Call 1300 755 498

  2. Email hello@prescript.com.au

  3. Click 'Connect with Prescript'

We’re known for solving the regional doctor shortage, leaving doctors loving what they do and regional communities feeling like they have the best doctors in town.

Telepsychiatry That Makes a Difference

At Prescript, we don’t just match doctors with jobs—we place them in roles that matter. As Australia’s dedicated medical recruitment partner for regional and remote healthcare, we work closely with Primary Health Networks (PHNs), health services, and communities to ensure every person has access to quality care—no matter where they live.

Now, we’re supporting a trusted client with a growing national footprint, commissioned by three PHNs to deliver fully funded, evidence-based psychiatry care via telehealth. We’re looking for FRANZCP Psychiatrists to join their team and help meet demand in areas where care access is limited and desperately needed.

If you’re seeking work that fits your life, lets you work from anywhere, and directly improves outcomes for patients in need—this is your opportunity.

The Position

This is a fully supported telehealth psychiatry role for experienced consultants seeking impact and flexibility.

You’ll work with an experienced, multidisciplinary team across PHN-funded programs, with full clinical autonomy and none of the admin hassle.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Conduct virtual psychiatric assessments and follow-up care for patients referred via PHNs.

  • Collaborate with psychologists, GPs, mental health nurses, and allied health providers to deliver coordinated care.

  • Engage in peer support, CPD, and clinical discussion forums.

  • Provide evidence-based care across a range of presentations, including general adult psychiatry and neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD and ASD.

Dates Available

Start dates are flexible and ongoing.

You’ll have the freedom to shape your availability, with a minimum of 6 clinical hours per week.

Benefits Provided

This is not just telehealth—it’s telehealth done properly, with full-service support and meaningful purpose behind every consult.

Here’s what we offer:

  • Established referral network through PHNs, GPs, DVA, Federal Government Partnerships, and medico-legal pathways.

  • Work anywhere—from your home office or the team’s Sydney or Perth hubs.

  • Shape your own schedule with total control over your availability.

  • Join a clinical community, with access to an internal psychiatrist network, monthly peer review, M&M meetings, and second opinion support.

  • No admin burden—dedicated ops team handles triage, bookings, reminders, tech support, and patient paperwork.

  • Dedicated invoicing and billing support, making payment seamless and reliable.

  • Marketing assistance to ensure steady referrals and caseload growth.

  • Opportunity to tailor your clinical mix—from general adult psychiatry to ADHD and neurodiversity-related care.

  • Ongoing professional development—with access to resources and CPD activities.

What We’re Looking For

You’re a registered psychiatrist looking to practise with purpose, while enjoying a more flexible and supported clinical experience.

To be eligible, you’ll need:

  • Fellowship of the RANZCP

  • Current AHPRA registration

  • A minimum commitment of 6 clinical hours per week

  • Experience in general adult psychiatry

  • Confidence managing ADHD, ASD, and complex mental health presentations via telehealth

Why This Role, and Why Prescript?

Prescript exists to solve a very specific problem: Australia’s regional doctor shortage. Our difference is in the detail—whether it’s helping you get credentialed quickly, supporting your schedule preferences, or ensuring you’re part of a community, not just a system.

We’ve built our reputation by placing psychiatrists first in line for roles where they can truly make a difference—and feel supported while doing so.

This role lets you: ✔ Make a direct impact on underserved communities
✔ Enjoy flexibility, autonomy, and full admin support
✔ Be part of something bigger—working with people who genuinely care

Ready to Explore the Opportunity?

We’d love to hear from you. Reach out for a confidential chat and we’ll guide you through the next steps.

Nadine Onto
Senior Recruitment Partner – Psychiatry
nadine@prescript.com.au
0420 641 123

Prescript Recruitment
Perfectly Placed For Doctors


Prescript are medical recruitment specialists.

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:

  1. Call 1300 755 498

  2. Email hello@prescript.com.au

  3. Click 'Connect with Prescript'

We’re known for solving the regional doctor shortage, leaving doctors loving what they do and regional communities feeling like they have the best doctors in town.
Hi 👋  How can we help you?
Hi 👋  How can we help you?