Questions to ask before you sign a locum contract
Locum work can be a great move: flexibility, variety, often strong rates. But the appeal can make it easy to skim the detail, and the detail is where locum arrangements either work beautifully or go sideways. Before you sign anything, here are the questions worth asking. A good agency or employer will be glad you did.
What exactly am I being paid, and what’s included?
Get clarity on the rate, and on everything around it. Is superannuation on top or included? Are travel and accommodation covered, and if so, booked for you or reimbursed? Is there a minimum number of hours guaranteed? A headline rate means little until you know what sits underneath it.
What are the hours, and what about on-call?
Confirm your actual roster, not just the contracted hours. Ask about on-call expectations, overtime, and what happens if the workload runs over. “As required” is a phrase worth pinning down before you arrive, not after.
Who covers indemnity and credentialing?
Make sure you’re clear on professional indemnity: what’s covered, by whom, and for what. Ask who handles credentialing and how long it takes, because it can hold up a start date. These aren’t exciting questions, but they’re the ones that protect you.
What happens if plans change?
Locum work is, by nature, less certain. Ask what notice applies on both sides, what happens if the placement is cancelled or cut short, and whether anything is guaranteed if the role falls through after you’ve committed. Knowing the answer up front saves a lot of stress later.
Will I be supported while I’m there?
A good placement includes a proper handover, someone to call when you have a question, and a team expecting you. Ask what orientation looks like and who your point of contact is. Walking into an unfamiliar clinic with no introduction is harder than it needs to be.
Locum contracts vary a lot, and the right questions depend on your situation, so if anything is unclear it’s worth getting proper advice before you sign. And if you’d like a recruiter who’ll lay all of this out plainly rather than rush you to a yes, get in touch.
