Lessons in Indigenous health
Omega Medical
March 9, 2017
Browse through this blog post to find out the important lessons medical practitioners in Australia must learn about Indigenous health.
Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities provides exciting opportunities to immerse yourself in what a recent genomic study confirmed as the oldest civilisation on the planet. It also presents unique social and health challenges that will expand your skills and experience.
Perhaps surprisingly, you won’t necessarily have to live in the outback. Australia’s 670,000 Indigenous people are spread across cities, coastal settlements and country towns as well as desert fringes.
Whether you want a bush experience or an urban assignment, remember that, while they make up just 2.5% of our total population, the Indigenous population accounts for a disproportionate percentage of most health problems. While non-Indigenous Australians are living longer, healthier lives, it’s a different story for Indigenous Australians.
Aboriginal people die at three times the rate of the rest of the population, with circulatory diseases and cancers (the most common cause of death) occurring more often and at a younger age. Overall, Indigenous Australians live 11.5 years less (men) and 10 years less (women) than other Australians.
The mortality rate for Aboriginal babies is higher and Aboriginal children are 30 times more likely to suffer from anaemia and malnutrition. They also have higher rates of scabies, ear problems and tooth decay and are less likely to be fully immunised.
Compared to the rest of Australia, Indigenous people are hospitalised twice as often. They’re three times more likely to be injured, twice as likely to commit suicide, and have higher rates of asthma, kidney disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions.
Illegal drug use, sexually transmitted infections, obesity, petrol/glue sniffing and smoking are far more prevalent than among the general population.
Statistics like these are why per capita Government spending on Aboriginal health is higher than for non-Aboriginal health. Even so, Indigenous people access health services at just 1.1 times the rate of non-Indigenous Australians, even though their need for health services is three times higher. They also receive fewer procedures and prescriptions than other Australians with the same health conditions.
These discrepancies are down to cultural and logistical barriers. Some communities associate hospitals with death, and it’s often taboo for a woman patient to see a male doctor. Indigenous people can feel dissociated in a facility where no one speaks their language and there are no Aboriginal doctors — just 200 of Australia’s 78,000 working doctors identify as Aboriginal. a belief in the power of bush medicine can also keep Indigenous people away from mainstream medicine.
To try to improve health services uptake among Indigenous people, many national and state policies address common issues.
If you work in a facility serving a large Indigenous population, you’re now more likely to find Aboriginal health workers, liaison officers, art and communication aids. There may be an Aboriginal garden, a travelling dialysis unit for remote communities or an Aboriginal-run residential patient care facility.
The Government also funds 150 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across Australia that offer a range of free services.
Despite this, access to primary health care services remains an issue, particularly for the 18% of Aboriginal people who live in outback Indigenous communities.
Just 10% of these communities have a hospital and only half their community health facilities provide medical coverage. People often rely on travelling GPs, specialists and dentists, with one in four having access to a doctor just once a week or fortnight. Seeking medical help at other times can involve driving a hundred kilometres or more along isolated tracks, sometimes in extreme weather.
With Indigenous Australians having, on average, lower incomes, less education and higher unemployment levels than other Australians, lack of knowledge about available services and cost concerns are further barriers. To help, a free Medicare help line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders provides information about targeted programs such as the Medicare Safety Net, free health checks and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Medicare also employs staff to liaise with Indigenous communities and health services, and facilitates registration when there’s no formal identification (a common problem in remote communities).
Clearly, Indigenous health care can be challenging. However, medical professionals who are lucky enough to spend time with Indigenous communities often say it is a life-changing experience that gives them a new perspective on their work. If you’re interested, talk to us.
Starting your career after an internship can feel unclear. You’ve got general registration and some experience under your belt, but the big question is what comes next. For most doctors in Australia, that next step is working as a Resident Medical Officer (RMO). RMO roles are where you build real clinical confidence, explore different specialties and, importantly, start to increase your earning potential, especially if you consider locum opportunities. This guide breaks down what RMO roles in Australia involve, what you can expect to earn and how to secure the right opportunity. What is an RMO? A Resident Medical Officer is a junior doctor who has completed internship (PGY1) and continues hospital-based training, typically at PGY2 and beyond. You’ll rotate through key departments such as: General medicine Surgery Emergency Paediatrics O&G Psychiatry These rotations are designed to broaden your clinical exposure while helping you decide on a long-term specialty. What you’ll actually be doing as an RMO RMO roles are hands-on and form the backbone of day-to-day hospital care. Typical responsibilities include: Managing admitted patients and reviewing results Developing and implementing management plans Communicating with patients, families and multidisciplinary teams Supporting registrars and consultants Responding to ward calls and clinical deterioration It’s a fast-paced role that builds both clinical ability and confidence quickly. RMO career pathway: from intern to registrar The early years of a medical career follow a clear hospital-based structure, with each stage building on the last. Intern (PGY1) The internship is the first year of clinical practice after graduation. Doctors complete supervised rotations in core areas such as medicine, surgery and emergency. Finishing this year leads to general registration with AHPRA, which allows you to progress into Resident Medical Officer roles and other junior doctor jobs in Australia. Resident Medical Officer (PGY2–PGY3+) After internship, doctors move into Resident Medical Officer jobs. This stage offers greater flexibility, with rotations across departments and the opportunity to explore areas of interest. Many RMOs use this time to strengthen their clinical skills, gain broader exposure and prepare for specialty training applications. It’s also where confidence grows in managing patients and working more independently within a team. Registrar Once accepted into a specialty training program, you become a registrar. This stage involves more focused training within a chosen field and leads towards fellowship under a relevant medical college such as the RACP, RACGP or RACS. Salary expectations for RMO jobs in Australia While salary is important, many RMOs also weigh up factors such as preferred rotations, access to specialty training opportunities, location and roster flexibility. Locum work can provide significantly higher earnings, while permanent positions often offer greater continuity and structured training. Permanent RMO salaries For full-time Resident Medical Officers, salaries typically range between $80,000 and $120,000 per year. This can vary slightly by state health system and may increase with postgraduate year level. In addition to base salary, most permanent roles include extra earnings through overtime, weekend shifts and on-call work. These additional payments can make a noticeable difference to overall income, particularly in busier departments or hospitals with extended rosters. Locum RMO rates Locum RMO jobs in Australia generally have higher hourly rates, often ranging from $80 to $150 per hour depending on demand, urgency and location. Hospitals in regional and remote areas tend to offer the highest rates due to ongoing workforce shortages. These roles may also include travel and accommodation, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses. For many RMOs, locum work provides an opportunity to increase earnings while gaining experience in different clinical environments. Benefits of working as an RMO RMO roles play an important part in building clinical confidence, strengthening decision-making and shaping your long-term career direction. Build broad clinical experience Working across multiple departments strengthens your ability to manage a wide range of patient presentations. You can gain exposure to different conditions, treatment approaches and hospital workflows, which builds confidence in clinical decision-making. This experience becomes especially valuable when applying for competitive specialty training programs. Explore career direction Many junior doctors are still refining their interests after their internship. RMO roles give you the chance to spend time in different specialties, observe how teams operate and understand what day-to-day work looks like in each field. This stage is a key transition within junior doctor jobs in Australia and helps you choose a training pathway that aligns with your strengths and interests. Access flexible work through locum roles Locum RMO jobs provide more control over your schedule. You can take on short-term contracts between rotations, during breaks or while waiting for training program outcomes. This flexibility allows you to manage your workload while still gaining consistent clinical experience and maintaining your income. Work across different healthcare settings RMO roles in Australia are available in metro hospitals, regional centres and remote facilities. Each setting offers a different pace, level of responsibility and type of patient care. Regional and rural placements often provide broader hands-on experience, while metro hospitals offer exposure to specialised services and larger multidisciplinary teams. How to secure RMO jobs in Australia Competition can vary depending on location, timing and specialty interest. A clear approach improves your chances. 1. Maintain current registration General registration with AHPRA is essential for all Resident Medical Officers. Update your registration before applying. 2. Prepare a strong CV Your CV should highlight: Internship rotations Clinical experience Procedural skills Referees (consultants or senior registrars) Keep it concise and focused on hospital-based experience. 3. Be open to different locations Metro roles can be competitive. Expanding your search to regional or rural hospitals increases access to RMO job opportunities and often provides stronger clinical exposure. 4. Consider locum RMO jobs Locum work can help you: Gain experience quickly Fill employment gaps Build confidence in different environments Short-term placements also strengthen your CV for future permanent roles. 5. Apply early and stay responsive Hospitals recruit at different times throughout the year. Staying proactive and responding quickly to opportunities can make a significant difference. Find RMO jobs across Australia with Omega Medical Looking for the right RMO role can take time, especially when balancing hospital commitments and training plans. Omega Medical works with junior doctors to connect them with Resident Medical Officer jobs across metro, regional and remote hospitals, including both locum and permanent opportunities. Our consultants focus on matching your experience, preferred rotations and availability with doctor jobs that offer the right level of support and clinical exposure. We also assist with credentialing, onboarding and job coordination, so you can focus on your work. Submit your CV or contact the team to discuss current RMO job opportunities available now.
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