A locum podiatrist in Australia typically charges between $60 and $100+ per hour before superannuation, depending on experience, location, and the length of the engagement. What you actually pay depends on the locum’s business structure and how you find them.

What locums charge

Most working locum podiatrists set their rates in these ranges:

• New graduates (1–3 years): $55–$70/hr
• Experienced podiatrists (3–8 years): $70–$90/hr
• Senior or specialist skills (wound care, high-risk foot, biomechanics): $90–$120/hr+

Regional and rural shifts typically attract higher rates. Locums are travelling, often staying overnight, and the demand is less easily filled. A one-day trip to rural Victoria is not the same as covering a clinic in Carlton.

How superannuation is handled

These are the agreed base rates before superannuation. For eligible sole-trader locums, the applicable superannuation contribution is added separately. For company, trust or partnership locums, the super component is included in the grossed-up payment and the entity manages its own superannuation.

What recruiters actually cost

Traditional allied health recruiters work by charging the clinic the locum’s hourly rate plus a margin, typically 40–60% on top. In practice, that often doubles what you’d pay the locum directly.

Here’s how that looks with a real example. The agreed base rate is $80/hr before superannuation.

• Through HeyLucy!: You pay $96/hr before any applicable superannuation ($80 base rate + $16 platform fee)
• Through a traditional recruiter: You pay $130–$160/hr before any applicable superannuation for the same locum

That difference, $34–$64/hr, adds up fast. A single four-day locum week at eight hours a day: you’re looking at $1,000–$2,000 more through a recruiter than through HeyLucy!. 

How HeyLucy!’s fee model works

HeyLucy! charges a flat 20% service fee on the agreed base rate before superannuation, and our soon to be released subscription model will bring this fee down even more! The applicable superannuation component is shown separately where required. There is also no cost to post shifts, so what have you got to lose right?!

What drives rates up or down

• Location: Metro shifts fill easily and attract competitive rates. Regional and rural shifts need a higher rate, or travel and accommodation covered, to attract good candidates.
• Notice: Last-minute gaps often require offering toward the higher end of the range. Locums weighing a same-week shift want it to be worth the disruption.
• Duration: Longer engagements are more attractive. A week-long stint can sometimes attract slightly lower per-hour rates because the work is more certain.
• Clinic setup: Solo practitioner shifts, where the locum works without reception or clinical support, typically command higher rates. It’s more demanding work.

Other costs you are not paying

• Annual leave or sick leave
• Workers compensation (locums carry their own professional indemnity insurance. All locums on HeyLucy! are AHPRA-verified before they can accept a shift.)
• Redundancy or notice period entitlements

The base rate, service fee and any applicable superannuation are shown separately. There are no hidden fees.

The bottom line

A locum through HeyLucy! costs the agreed base rate plus a 20% service fee, plus any applicable superannuation. If the base rate is $60/hr, the service fee is $12/hr. Through a traditional recruiter for the same locum, expect to pay $100–$120/hr or more. The difference goes to the recruiter, not to better care for your patients.