Being a doctor, for most practitioners, is about following a passion for helping people and embracing a working environment where every day is different. Taking on a range of treatment and other healthcare responsibilities, especially in smaller medical practices, is par for the course.

For those who truly relish wearing many different hats in their day-to-day roles, this can understandably result in itchy feet after a length of time in any one medical job. There are many positives to relocating for a new medical job. Different career challenges, better work-play balance, being closer to family and a more affordable lifestyle are all reasons to dust off the CV.

So, what is the knack to moving your job (and life) somewhere new? Use Your Doctor Jobs’ insider’s guide to help you on the road to an exciting new medical job!

Take advantage of a career change with job relocation!

Relocation for medical jobs - why (and where) should you move?

Only half of GPs in Australia claimed they can maintain good work–life balance in the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ 2018 report. This is one of the main concerns driving doctors nationwide to search for medical career opportunities in areas they may previously have not considered looking in. It’s particularly pressing for doctors with young families as the high costs of city living, coupled with a housing market on the up and high job competition, can compromise individuals’ quality of life.

Another valid reason for relocating medical jobs on a permanent basis is to increase remuneration. Your salary will usually only increase marginally year-on-year (if that, especially in areas with high competition for positions) - meanwhile, a change in medical jobs can result in significant wage growth. While this can differ depending on where you relocate and whether you are looking for a doctor job in the private or public sphere, this remuneration increase is often consistent.

A final reason for relocation is to take advantage of new career opportunities. Job churn in the healthcare industry has increased (in line with all sectors) over the last few decades. This increase in mobility comes as more doctors seek out new roles or join larger practices in search of career advancement or to learn new skills.

Generally, competition for medical jobs remains high in Australia’s major cities - nearly 80% of all medical practitioners are based there, according to the Department of Health. If you live in the metropolitan bustle of Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, you will know how long commutes eat into home life, and career opportunities that truly offer something different are few and far between.

To encourage doctors to look further afield for their next medical job, the Australian Government is prioritising recruitment and relocation support for regional, rural and remote areas nationwide. These locations can be highly fulfilling for those who are looking for a more relaxed pace of life and a strong sense of community!

Rural Australia has a natural charm - imagine having this on your doorstep?

Four benefits of relocating to regional or rural Australia

From Aberdeen, South Australia to Zeehan, Tasmania, rural Australia has a lot to offer doctors looking for a new adventure. Here are four benefits of ditching the city for more laidback living:

1. Smaller, tighter-knit communities - The lower population of regional Australia gives rise to smaller, tight-knit communities where neighbours look after neighbours. It can be very easy to get to know everyone in your town in no time!
2. Higher quality living - Life in remote Australia offers all of the outdoor living you can manage! From Queensland’s tropical heat to temperature Tasmania, you will spend less time stuck in traffic and more time getting stuck into the activities you love the most.
3. Stretching your dollar further - With the costs of metropolitan living spiralling ever upwards, life in regional Australia remains more affordable. You need a sizable deposit for a home in Sydney or Melbourne, but in rural areas your money goes much further!
4. New career challenges - Working in rural areas comes with unique opportunities you may not encounter in major cities. Regional doctors tend to work with a smaller patient base and medical team, so you form strong personal and professional connections.

Sounds appealing, right? Who doesn’t want less time in traffic and more time to enjoy life. Better yet, the Australian Government are encouraging doctors to look for medical jobs in regional, rural and remote locations across the country with relocation assistance and other incentive packages!

Relocation assistance and incentive packages

The positives to relocation medical jobs don’t stop with the above benefits. Depending on the state and whether you want a public- or private-sector role, there are numerous government incentive and private-practice remuneration packages to encourage more doctors to apply!

Those considering relocating before Christmas

The General Practice Rural Incentives (GPRI) Program provides financial motivation for medical practitioners to seek work in regional, rural and remote Australian communities. The GPRI Program supplies payments through two types of funds.

Those considering relocating after Christmas

From January 1, 2020, the GPRI Program and other relevant rural incentive schemes will be rolled into a single Workforce Incentive Program (WIP). All those already registered through the GPRI will automatically have their accounts and financial details moved onto the new WIP platform.

Incentive payment rates

Despite the changes to come, the incentive rates for relocating to permanent medical roles in regional, rural and remote Australia will remain much the same. The current GPRI Program incentive payment rates are defined by an algorithm which classifies locations according to geographical remoteness, population size and number of local medical practitioners. The more remote and smaller the locale, the higher the potential earnings! This figure also increases the longer you remain employed in high-need areas - win-win for all parties.

Working in regional Australia can be extremely satisfying.

Additionally, private medical practices in high-demand areas nationwide often offer remuneration packages that can include rental support and non-salary perks, such as personal insurance. This is to further persuade doctors in need of a change that life away from the major cities is the best!

How Your Doctor Jobs can help you with relocation medical jobs

It’s all well and good talking about your move to the regions - but how do you go about finding the right position? That’s where medical relocation specialists come in. Your Doctor Jobs is a bespoke recruitment firm connected to doctors and practices nationwide. Our team’s 50 years’ worth of experience in recruiting for healthcare practices, and our passion for helping others, defines us. Top-to-bottom and coast-to-coast, we have the know-how to find you the ideal job.

You only get one crack at your healthcare career, so ensuring you are in a fulfilling career position that still allows you to make the most of your downtime is a must. To learn more about how we can help you find your next permanent medical role, contact Your Doctor jobs today.