Work somewhere extraordinary. There are remote locums - and then there’s Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Almost 3,000 km from Perth in the Indian Ocean, this spectacular group of coral islands is home to a small, welcoming community and some of Australia’s most remarkable tropical scenery.
Prescript is looking for an experienced FRACGP or FACRRM Rural Generalist / GP to provide short-term locum cover with the Indian Ocean Territories Health Service.
You’ll be the only doctor on the atoll, making this an opportunity suited to someone who enjoys autonomous medicine, has strong emergency skills and is comfortable working remotely.
In return, you’ll experience a part of Australia very few people ever get the opportunity to call home — even temporarily.
The Role
Your working week is primarily Monday to Friday, 8:00 am–4:00 pm, providing primary healthcare to the local community.
Experienced nursing staff rotate first on-call outside these hours, with the doctor available for clinical support and emergency presentations when required.
Call-outs are generally low, but given the remoteness of the islands, you need to be confident managing an acute presentation with limited medical support.
Available Dates
There is flexibility around the placement, with options to commence:
18, 21 or 25 September 2026
and finish:
2, 5 or 9 October 2026
Flights operate to and from the islands on Mondays and Fridays, so Mel Houston can work with you to find the combination that best suits your availability.
Why Cocos?
This is as much about the destination as it is the locum.
Beyond the clinic, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands offer clear tropical water, white-sand beaches and an extraordinary Indian Ocean setting.
Depending on how you spend your downtime, you can experience:
Snorkelling and diving
Fishing
Kiteboarding and surfing
Tropical beaches and lagoon swimming
A relaxed, close-knit island community
Life somewhere genuinely unlike mainland Australia
For a Rural Generalist who enjoys combining medicine with travel and adventure, it is a difficult location to replicate.
What's Included
$2,000 per day, plus:
Flights and travel
Accommodation
Prescript recruitment and credentialing support
Support throughout your placement
We’ll help manage the details before you leave so you can arrive prepared and concentrate on the work and the experience.
What You'll Need
You'll need:
FRACGP or FACRRM
Current ALS2 or equivalent
Current AHPRA registration
Confidence practising autonomously in a remote environment
Strong acute and emergency medicine capability
Interested?
Opportunities on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands don't come around often, and the available dates are approaching quickly.
If you’re an experienced Rural Generalist or GP and the idea of practising medicine on a remote Indian Ocean atoll appeals to you, speak with Mel Houston about the placement, travel arrangements and what to expect.
Mel Houston
Senior Recruitment Partner – Rural Generalists
0415 075 498
mel@prescript.com.au
