Rural Locum Assistance Program

Rural LAP - Locum support made easy with NO fees or charges

The rural Locum Assistance Program (Rural LAP) combines the Rural Obstetric and Anaesthetic Locum Scheme (ROALS), the Nursing and Allied Health Rural Locum Scheme (NAHRLS) and the Rural Locum Education Assistance Programme (Rural LEAP).

The aims of the amalgamated programme include enhancing the ability of healthcare professionals in rural Australia to take leave and undertake continuing professional development (CPD) activities and improving the retention of these health professionals in rural locations. The programme will also enhance the ability of metropolitan-based general practitioners (GPs) to upskill professional competencies in Emergency Medicine.

Rural LAP was established by the Australian Government to support specialist and GP obstetricians and anaesthetists, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals in rural and remote Australia to take leave from their work for up to 14 working days (categories 2-7) for recreation and CPD leave and up to 28 working days for remote placements (categories 6-7) supporting CPD.

Rural LAP also offers financial assistance to urban GPs who require training in order for them to become rural locums. Training for Rural LAP focusses on emergency medicine and to be eligible you must be willing to undertake a general practice locum placement in rural and remote Australia.