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FAQs

What is the Rural LAP?

Your trusted partner in providing targeted locum support services to healthcare professionals and aged care workers in rural and remote Australia.

How do we request a locum?

Applying for a locum is simple and convenient. Whether you’re an individual or organisation needing locum support, you can easily submit your request for a locum here.

Aged Care – https://rurallap.com.au/health-services/request-a-locum/
Health Stream – https://rurallap.com.au/health-services/request-a-locum/

How much notice is required?

Requests for locum support must be made at least two weeks prior to the commencement of the placement. Short notice applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

What costs are involved?

Our Australian Government-funded program ensures no fees or charges associated with accessing our locum services.

You are only responsible for paying the usual wages (including penalties, superannuation and applicable taxes) for the placement period. All wages are advised and confirmed by each individual Health and Aged Care service.

An invoice for the payment of these costs, will be sent to the nominated invoice contact each fortnight following the commencement of a placement, based on a signed and approved timesheet.

Payment for invoices, is to be made within 30 days, from the date of the invoice.

What are the costs for travel and accommodation?

We cover the costs of all travel, accommodation, and incentives while the locum is on placement at your service.

Is my health service eligible for support?

Check your eligibility at:

What is the Modified Monash Model?

Developed by the Department of Health and Aged Care, The Modified Monash Model (MMM) is how we define whether a location is metropolitan, rural, remote or very remote.

The model measures remoteness and population size on a scale of Modified Monash (MM) categories MM1 to MM7. MM1 is a major city and MM7 is very remote.

You can check the MM category of your Health Service at – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/health-workforce-
locator/app

How long can I request support for?

We understand the importance of CPD and work-life balance. Our health service program offers rural locum coverage for up to 14 working days and up to 28 working days for placements in remote locations. Our aged care program covers between 14 and 90 calendar days. Under exceptional circumstances, facilities can request an extension of up to 30 additional days.

Do employees get cover for both recreation AND CPD leave each year?

No. All employees are entitled to use the program once per financial year, for either recreation leave OR CPD leave.

Where do you find the locums?

Locums apply to work with Rural LAP via https://rurallap.com.au/locums/join-our-community-of-health-service-locums/. Rural LAP is responsible for all the administration associated with recruiting and credentialing appropriate locums.

How are locums chosen for placements?

Suitable candidates will be contacted by Rural LAP Program Officers via email and asked to express their interest within 48 hours. The CVs of all interested candidates will be sent to you for your review and decision. Rural LAP will then notify the successful candidate.

How do we arrange contracts for locums?

Travel, accommodation and the contract of engagement for the locum are arranged by our Program Officers. Once these have been finalised, you will be notified of the travel itinerary by one of our travel coordinators.

How many shifts can a locum work?

All rosters should be based on a 76-hour fortnight (1FTE). Locums who are covering leave, are to cover the roster of the employee who is on leave.

Confirmed roster is to be provided to Rural LAP, prior to commencement. This should include hours of work, days of work, days off and shift types (early, afternoon, night).

Additional shifts can be worked where required, with agreement between the locum and facility. Fatigue management and employee welfare must be taken into consideration, when approving additional shifts.

What professions do Rural LAP provide cover for?

A full list of eligible Aged Care professions can be found at – https://rurallap.com.au/aged-care-services/facility-managers/

Eligible Health Stream professions can be found at – https://rurallap.com.au/locums/health-service-locums/

Are there any other terms and conditions, we should be aware of?

All Aged Care terms and conditions, can be found at – https://rurallap.com.au/aged-care-services/terms-and-conditions/

Health Stream terms and conditions can be found at – https://rurallap.com.au/health-services/terms-and-conditions/