Essential Insurance and Legal Considerations for Locum Doctors

Working as a locum doctor gives you flexibility, but it also means you’re responsible for your own legal and insurance cover. If you work through a locum agency, or independently will mean you will have to look at different insurances.
Here are the key things every locum in Australia should know before starting work:

1. Medical Indemnity Insurance
This is the most important cover you need. Locum doctors are not protected by hospital insurance like employees are. You must have your own medical indemnity policy that covers independent practice across all the locations you plan to work in. All public hospitals will cover you to an extent, and then this insurance helps go above and beyond that as a locum.

2. Public Liability Insurance
Some hospitals require locums to hold public liability insurance, which protects you if someone claims they were injured or suffered loss because of your actions outside direct patient care (for example, a fall in your consulting room). If you are with a locum agency, check that they have this, if you sign directly with a hospital (like with StatDoctor) then you will be covered by the hospitals policy.

3. Income Protection
Locum work means no paid leave or sick pay. Income protection insurance can replace part of your income if you get sick or injured and can’t work.

4. ABN and Superannuation
Most locums work under an ABN as sole traders or through a company. This means you’re responsible for your own tax and super. Make sure you’re putting aside money regularly and consider getting professional financial advice.

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