Have you been considering a change of scenery for a while, but just aren’t sure where to start? It’s not easy changing jobs as a medical practitioner - the security of a stable role is compelling. However, recruitment specialists like Your Doctor Jobs contact network. Here are three questions to ask yourself which will set you on track to finding the best location for a medical relocation job.

The size and location of your chosen practice to relocate to will affect your career progression

Question 1 - What do you want from a career move?

The most important point to consider is WHY you want to make a move. A move to a new practice can be rewarding as it puts you in contact with a range of upskilling options. From new responsibilities in your day-to-day role to improved access to training courses, relocating for a new job can pay major dividends to your transferable skills and experience.

Additionally, a new position can offer you new duties which may better suit your preferences. For example, moving to smaller practice can put you in place with a smaller team where you perform a greater variety of roles, which may be appealing for some. Conversely, moving to a bigger practice may offer you more structure with daily tasks or help you focus on one area of medicine.

Question 2 - What kind of medical practice suits you?

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In line with the above, consider what kind of medical practice you want to work in. A larger practice may have more structure and a bigger support team for administration functions - but this may come with a larger pool of patients and more repetitive medical responsibilities.

A smaller practice, meanwhile, may require you to wear more professional hats in fulfilling your medical role, but this can be highly appealing for some. A smaller practice may also mean a smaller base of regular patients, which can help you to form stronger bonds with people.

Question 3 - What kind of lifestyle do you want?

A final question to ask is how you will build your job into your lifestyle. Those who enjoy the excitement of city life may want to work in a practice in one of Australia’s major centres. However, high housing prices and competition for places here can be a challenge for medical graduates.

If you relish the peace and quiet of country life, or have an outdoorsy hobby (be it hiking, surfing or biking), life in rural Australia may better suit you. More affordable accommodation and shortages in many key remote locations also means it’s generally easier to search for and find jobs.

The most ideal location for medical relocation will depend on your career and lifestyle preferences. 

The best locations for medical relocation jobs in Australia

The ideal location for you will depend on what you come up with when answering the above questions. Some doctors will prefer the laid back atmosphere of a small town, while others will prefer the hustle-and bustle of Australia's biggest metropolitan centres.

However, the Australian Government is now encouraging more doctors to relocate to regional, rural and remote parts of the country to address skills shortages. Major cities nationwide offer the hustle-and bustle of metropolitan living - but rural life gives doctors the chance to enjoy a more relaxed pace of life, embrace new workplace challenges and offers a more affordable lifestyle!

Additionally, federal incentive programs such as the General Practice Rural Incentives (GPRI) Program encourages practitioners to make the move outside the nation’s main centres with regular automated payments directly into eligible medical workers’ bank account.

Individual state medical bodies may also offer financial assistance and relocation packages to doctors moving for a medical job. This can include covering costs like:

• Airfares and airport transfers.
• Moving and removal expenses.
• Short-term temporary accommodation.
• Administration and registration fees.

To speak to Your Doctor Jobs’ recruitment team today about relocating for your next medical role, contact us here.