SPECIALIST GUIDE TO WORKING IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND FOR JUNIOR DOCTORS

CONTENTSHELPING TO MAXIMISE YOUR CAREER AND LIFESTYLE OPPORTUNITIES

WHAT OPTIONS ARE THERE?

FIND YOUR PERFECT JOB

TIPS TO SELECTING THE BEST AGENCY

WHEN’S A GOOD TIME TO START LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB?

HOW MUCH CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

MAXIMISING THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF LOCUMING

SETTING YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS WITH MEDRECRUIT

OUR PROMISE TO YOU

NEXT STEPS

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Because you are

reading this guide

you are probably

thinking about

making a change

of some sort in

the way you work

as a doctor - exploring the opportunities

that are available to you to set yourself up

for success. You might be looking for a large

change or a small change, a career shift or

an augmentation of your career or lifestyle;

whatever change you are considering, this

guide will lay out your options and also the

potential action steps to achieve what

you want.

I believe that when making a change in life

there are two options; do what you’ve always

done but do it harder and faster, or think

differently and utilise new tools.

Doctors are no strangers to working harder

and faster, and many doctors are also burning

out. In our experience the difference between

‘harder and faster’ and ‘thinking differently

and utillising new tools’ can be the difference

between having a really fulfilling career, and

just getting by - between loving what you do

and having to do what you do.

You are clearly different as you’ve taken the

first step to look at new opportunities, new

ways of thinking, and new tools, and have

identified that there are two ways to explore

these; the most direct and effective way and

the slow ‘learn as you go’ way.

This guide has been put together by

collaborating with some of the most

experienced permanent doctors in the

industry, and with MedRecruit’s experience

and knowledge in the medical recruitment

industry.

This is the fast and effective way that lays out

the opportunities and options for you to get

what you want in your medical career, from a

lifestyle, career and financial perspective.

Enjoy learning exactly what you need to

know to make the most of the opportunities

available to you as you move from working

harder and faster to thinking differently and

utililsing all the tools available to you.

Committed to your success,

Dr Sam Hazledine

Managing Director, MedRecruit

INTRODUCTION

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HELPING TO MAXIMISE YOUR CAREER AND LIFESTYLE OPPORTUNITIESThis guide has been put together to help you maximise your lifestyle and career

opportunities. To ensure success, it’s important to first identify where you currently are -

both personally and professionally, and where you want to go.

Step 1. Get clear about what you want

Step 2. Determine where you are now

Step 3. Identify the gap between the two

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Step 1.

Get clear about what you want

Doctors who enjoy their careers and ensure

their careers work for them, first get clear

about what it is they want; they set goals:

• Financial goals

• Lifestyle goals

• Career goals

These provide a clear target – something

concrete to aim for.

Step 2.

Where are you now?Before you can identify exactly what changes

need to happen, it’s important to get clear on

what your current situation is, and whether

that’s where you want it to be:

• Finance: How much are you currently

earning and is this where you want it to

be? Do you have debt and is it being paid

off at a rate you’re happy with? How much

have you saved and do you need to save

more?

• Lifestyle: Are you living where you want,

and are you having the time off you want?

Do you spend the time you want with your

family? Do you feel like you are getting the

leisure time you want and need?

• Career: Are you working in the job you

want? Are you getting the experience you

want? Are you making the contribution

you want?

Step 3.

What’s the gap between the two?You now know where you are and where you

want to be, so you can determine the gap and

therefore what needs to be addressed. This

will give you clarity on what you need in terms

of a change in job, or an augmentation to your

current job:

• Finance: Do you need to be earning more

money? Do you need to consider locuming

and if so is it a long-term or short-term

thing?

• Lifestyle: Do you need more time off? Do

you need to move to a place better suited

to your lifestyle? Do you need to consider a

change in how you work or where you work

to achieve this?

• Career: Do you need to get experience in

another area or another location? Do you

need a permanent job somewhere, or is a

locum job better suited?

This might sound simplistic, but it’s the first

step to ensuring that any change you want

actually meets your needs and delivers you

what you want in your finances, your lifestyle

and your career.

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LOCUMING Some common myths

“Locuming will negatively affect my career”

– the reality is:

• Locuming allows you to try out medicine

in different localities to broaden your

experience

• Long-term locum positions can

complement your career

• Many locum positions can lead to

permanent positions in locations where

doctors really enjoy themselves

• Top agencies will map out a locum plan

with doctors to help advance their career.

“Managing tax is difficult” - the reality is:

• Being taxed as a locum is not complicated

– all you need to do is register for GST and

pay provisional tax

• Locuming offers substantial tax benefits

to help reduce your tax bill

• It’s important that as a locum, you work as a

contractor and that you have this in writing

in the form of a contract with your agency

• Top agencies will have a strong

relationship with an accounting firm that

will be able to help you with any queries

you may have.

WHAT OPTIONS ARE THERE?

While most people think

locuming is the only option

available to achieve what

they want, the reality is

more and more agencies are

specialising in placing doctors

in permanent positions too

– permanent positions that

meet both doctors’ lifestyle

and career goals.

There are a number of opinions

out there about locuming and

working with an agency to

secure permanent positions

– the majority of these are

negative, but the truth is,

these are simply myths.

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“Locum jobs are short so there’s no continuity” – the reality is:

• Due to the major shortage of doctors in

Australia and New Zealand, hospitals and

clinics are utilising long-term locums to

meet their needs

• You can get long-term locum work

throughout Australia and New Zealand.

“As a locum, I’ll have little support at hospitals” - the reality is:

• Locums are treated the same as salaried

doctors and receive the same support

• You can get positions with as much, or as

little junior senior support staff as you want

• Clinical responsibilities vary a lot between

positions, so it’s important you are clear

about what you want so it can be arranged.

“Locuming in New Zealand and Australia is the same” - the reality is:

• Locum doctors earn significantly more

money in Australia and Australian

hospitals will confirm longer locum

contracts

• The locum work in Australia is not just

available in the outback, it’s also available

in enviable lifestyle locations.

“Locum agencies get a big cut of my pay” - the reality is:

• Some agencies do take a cut of your pay

• Others do not take a cut of your pay – it’s

important to check this prior to signing up

with an agency.

PERMANENT POSITIONSBusting myths

“The best way to get a job is through

networking” – the reality is:

• There is a risk of missing out on your ‘perfect

job’ as you won’t have access to a variety of

jobs in a variety of locations

• You’ll have to look after all of the arrangements,

negotiations, and paperwork yourself.

“I’ll get the best rate if I work directly with hospitals” – the reality is:

• Recruitment agencies have specially trained

consultants who have strong negotiation

skills to use in your favour, and ensure you

get the best rate and package possible.

“Managing my own permanent job search is easier than involving someone else” – the reality is:

• While managing your own job search may

seem like a great idea, the reality is, it’s likely

to take up a lot of your valuable time, due to

paperwork and liaising with various hospitals

and clinics.

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MEDRECRUIT HAS ONLY EVER EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS – IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR AN AMAZING JOB AND LIFESTYLE, WORK WITH MEDRECRUIT- THEY REALLY LISTEN TO WHAT YOU WANT AND DELIVER BEYOND YOUR EXPECTATONS.

Dr Tom Mulholland, MedRecruit Doctor

FIND YOUR PERFECT JOB

METHODS STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

NETWORKING • You are likely to have an established network of

colleagues when you start your new job.

• Smallest number of opportunities

• High risk on missing out on a ‘perfect job’

• You have to make all of the arrangements yourself.

ONLINE • You are in control and can research jobs yourself. • Locum jobs are only available on recruitment agency websites

• Searching for permanent jobs on the internet can take time

• High risk of missing out on opportunities

• Searching independently online takes away the ability for you to

have an advocate, this minimises your chance of securing a role.

AGENCY • Agencies often have the biggest and most diverse

pool of jobs available

• Due to agencies’ experience, they have strong

negotiating power & will use it to get you the best rate

• By using an agency, you have an advocate who will

ensure you’re presented to hospitals and clinics in

the best possible light

• Agencies have a wealth of resources, therefore

can look after every detail to make the process of

finding a job effective and easy.

• There are a number of agencies out there, some of whom aren’t

as experienced as others. Therefore, it’s imperative to ensure you

choose the correct agency.

There are a number of ways to find your perfect job; they all have their strengths and weaknesses.

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The best agencies ask what it is

you truly want

The best agencies have new tools that

increase quality.

The medical industry is being forced to do more

with less. The two ways to approach this are to

do things harder, faster, and meaner, or to think

differently and to create new tools; the first way

compromises quality, the second can improve it.

Most agencies are using the first approach and

doctors are suffering for it with poorly matched

jobs that leave them unfufilled, unsupported,

and unhappy.

Look for an agency that uses the second

approach so that the quality of the service you

receive is improved.

The best agencies will ask what it is you truly

want

The best agencies will primarily be interested in

what you want. They will look to find out what

is important to you so they can tailor a solution

that fits with your goals.

The best agencies will find work to suit your

lifestyle

Australia and New Zealand are massive and

have thousands of hospitals and clinics. The

best agencies have the ability to objectively

match you with a location and job that suits your

ARE YOU KEEN TO USE AN AGENCY? HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU SELECT THE BEST ONE

career lifestyle needs.

The best agencies will support you when you

need it

When you are working with an agency to find

either locum or permanent work, it’s important

to know you’re supported, not just while you’re

at the hospital or clinic, but for the entire time

you are on a placement. All sorts of things can

pop up related to your job, your accommodation

and your travel. Good agencies will have that

support available and will be there to help if

needed.

The best agencies will be run by doctors

It takes doctors to truly understand doctors’

needs. To have the ability to effectively assist

doctors, an agency needs to be run by doctors.

The best agencies will reward you well

Doctors deserve to be rewarded for what they

do. A good agency will acknowledge this and will

ensure their doctors are rewarded well.

If you decide to use an agency

to look after everything for you,

here are some tips on things to

look out for to ensure you receive

the best service possible, and in

turn - the best job.

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9 QUESTIONS TO ASK A RECRUITMENT AGENCY TO ENSURE YOU’RE WORKING WITH THE BEST

1. Do you run a full systematic analysis of my needs before

advising me of available jobs?

2. Do you have a lifestyle profile of every hospital and clinic

in your database?

3. Do you provide free 24/7 support service?

4. Additional services – do you offer any special partner

offers such as insurance, accounting, and banking?

5. Are you run by doctors?

6. Do you get paid by the hospitals and clinics for making

a placement, rather than taking money from what

doctors earn?

7. Can I be put on a notification system to get alerts to

new jobs that match my criteria?

8. Do you offer a rewards scheme? If so, what is it?

9. Do you have dedicated divisions for Junior Doctors and

Registrars that specialises in their needs?

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HOW MUCH CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

AUSTRALIA ($AUD) NEW ZEALAND ($NZD)

RESIDENT MEDICAL OFFICER $80 – $130 per hour $70 – $115 per hour

REGISTRAR $95 – $180 per hour $90 – $125 per hour

RESIDENT MEDICAL OFFICER $75,000 – $110,000 per annum $70,000 – $150,000 per annum

REGISTRAR $80,000 – $140,000 per annum $80,000 – $150,000 per annum

SO WHEN’S A GOOD TIME TO START LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB?Junior doctors, particularly PGY3+ doctors and registrars are in hot demand year-round in Australia and New

Zealand, therefore anytime is a good time to start looking for your new job. However it’s important you are as

prepared as possible in order to make the most out of locuming and ensure it works for you.

LOCUM JOBS

PERMANENT JOBS

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Dr Joanna Martin, MedRecruit Doctor

Paediatric Registrar

MEDRECRUIT REALLY ARE EXPERTS AT FINDING THE BEST JOBS, AND WHAT’S MORE, THEY TAKE CARE OF EVERY DETAIL SO I DON’T HAVE TO!

MAXIMISING THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF LOCUMING

Locuming can be a great way to increase your income and

there are some specific things you can do to maximise

what you end up with in your pocket.

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EARNING MORE To earn the highest rate there are a number of

things you can do:

BE FLEXIBLE

The more flexible you are about where you work

and the exact job you are doing, the more options

will be available to you and therefore the higher

the chance of earning more. Generally the further

you get from the major cities the more you earn so

if you’re looking for the highest paying job, be sure

to look at all of the options available to you.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST EARLY

The earlier you let your agency know what you

want, the more time they have to actively seek the

perfect job for you.

SELECT THE RIGHT AGENCY

Make sure you select the agency with the largest

network of hospitals and clinics in Australia

and New Zealand. Most agencies are actually

very small with limited networks and while they

advertise that they operate Australia and New

Zealand wide, in reality they don’t. Select the

agency that not only has the largest network but

also has the biggest point of differentiation from a

hospital and clinic perspective.

The information shared here is not specific to you and should not be a

substitute for getting advice specific to your situation from your accountant.

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KEEPING MORE Earning more isn’t the only thing to consider;

ultimately what’s important is what you are

taking home, so that means maximising what

you keep:

• Pick the right tax structure

You can either work as an employee or

as a contractor. Working as an employee

limits your ability to run as a business and

to claim expenses against your income.

If you are going to work as a contractor,

we recommend you work with your

accountant to ensure you receive the

maximum benefits.

• Claim everything you can

If you are employed as a contractor you

have the benefit of being able to claim

expenses against your income. It is in

your interest to claim everything that is

directly related to you generating income,

because everything you claim will offset

your earnings.

• Register for GST

In Australia you have to be registered for

GST if you are going to earn more than

$75,000 as a locum in any year, in New

Zealand the threshold is $60,000. Even if

you are going to earn less, registering for

GST is worthwhile because you get paid

GST in addition to your hourly or daily rate,

and you get to claim all GST back from

your expenses. The end result is more

money in your pocket.

• Pick a good accounting system

To effectively claim your expenses and file

your GST returns it is important to have a

good accounting system. You can do this

yourself using a spread sheet, but that

won’t produce your GST or tax returns so

it’s a lot easier and more accurate to use

an online system like Xero which is cost

effective and simple to use.

• Use a good accountant

As a doctor you are earning a great

income. It is in your best financial

interests to engage with a good

accountant who can make sure you are:

using the right tax structure; you have

structured your finances most effectively;

you are claiming all the expenses you can;

and you are filing your reports as needed

to avoid any late-filing penalties. A good

agency can refer you to accountants that

specialise in maximising efficiencies.

Dr Kirsten YoungHouse Officer

YES, IT’S A GOOD DAY EVERY DAY WHEN YOU WORK (AND PLAY) WITH MEDRECRUIT!

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SETTING YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS WITH MEDRECRUITWith the information you now

have you are set up to make

the most of the abundant

opportunities available to you in

Australia and New Zealand.

There are also some very

specific things MedRecruit can

help you with to ensure you get

the work you want and to make

the most of it.

STRATEGY SESSION MedRecruit offers a Strategy Session for

all of their doctors. This is conducted by a

Solutions Specialist who is highly skilled and

experienced in working with Junior Doctors &

Registrars. MedRecruit’s Solutions Specialists

are the best in the industry and

Dr Sam Hazledine personally selects and trains

each of them to ensure they understand your

needs and are equipped with the skills to get

you your perfect job.

With the information you now have you are set up

to make the most of the abundant opportunities

available to you in Australia and New Zealand.

There are also some very specific things MedRecruit

can help you with to ensure you get the work you

want and to make the most of it.

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DEFINITELY TRY MEDRECRUIT, THE STAFF ARE FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL. THEY’RE ON YOUR SIDE. THEY CAN FIND WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR AND THERE’S NO HASSLE.

Mr Rajesh Patel, MedRecruit Doctor

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You won’t earn more elsewhereYour dedicated ‘Solutions Specialist’

negotiates the best rates possible in

any given location, every time.

OUR PROMISE TO YOU

Best match – full support

You’ll get the best matched job for your

needs, and 24/7 support from start to finish.

Be seen first - be picked first

MedRecruit has the best relationships

with the largest network of hospitals and

clinics across Australia and New Zealand.

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NEXT STEPS - IT’S AS EASY AS... 1,2,3

Perfect PlacementMedRecruit’s Solutions Specialists

are experts in finding doctors the job

they’ve always wanted – whether it

be locum or permanent. They love

finding doctors their dream jobs so

they can have the career and lifestyle

they’ve always wanted – this can be

you too.

Strategy SessionAs mentioned earlier, a Solutions

Specialist that is best matched to

your needs will be in touch to conduct

a Strategy Session with you.

This is a great opportunity to go over

your goals, learn about the resources

we have available for you, and to

tell your Solutions Specialist what’s

important to you so they can do

everything possible to ensure you

meet your career and lifestyle goals.

Tailored Support Once we’ve found you the perfect

job, it’s time to let your dedicated

Placement Coordinator look after

the details for you so you can ‘Be

Exceptional’.

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THE TEAM AT MEDRECRUIT REALLY CARE AND IT SHOWS IN EVERYTHING THEY DO. FROM FINDING DOCTORS THE PERFECT JOB, TO LOOKING AFTER DOCTORS EVERY STEP OF THE WAY TO MAKE IT EASY.

Dr Barney and Dr Penny Montgomery, MedRecruit Doctors

NOTES

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NOTES

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NOTES

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MedRecruit AustraliaPO Box 4499

Robina Town Centre Drive

QLD 4230

Unit B/69 Laver Drive

Robina

QLD 4226

Ph: 1800 MedRecruit

MedRecruit New ZealandPO Box 2064

Wakatipu 9349

Level 2, Remarkables House26 Hawthorne DriveQueenstown 9300 Ph: 0800 MedRecruit

www.medrecruit.com