Psychiatrist & Doctor Careers Australia | Aurora Healthcare
Join Australia's largest private mental health network — 14 hospitals, 1,000+ mental health beds, 2450+ psychiatrists. Employment, VMO, Locum & Moratorium pathways, 50+ years supporting private practice.
Aurora Healthcare is Australia's leading private hospital network dedicated to mental health care — 14 hospitals, 1,000+ mental health beds and a network of 250+ psychiatrists across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. We offer multiple career models to suit every stage of practice, from fully independent VMO consulting to salaried employment, giving you the autonomy of private practice backed by 50+ years of hospital infrastructure and support.
Build Your Psychiatry Career With Australia's Leading Mental Health Network
We create environments where psychiatrists can practise independently — across inpatient, day, outpatient private practice and community settings — supported by multidisciplinary teams, clinical governance, and established, streamlined hospital infrastructure.
14 Private Hospitals · 1,345 Mental Health Beds · 240+ Network of Psychiatrists Queensland · New South Wales · Victoria · Western Australia
In 2023, Aurora Healthcare and Medibank's Amplar Health partnered to launch iMH, a mental health service focused on making integrated care more accessible across Australia, blending inpatient and out-of-hospital care through shorter-stay admissions, in-home services, telehealth and coordinated community support. iMH operates a further 3 hospitals and 152 mental health beds across Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT.
Independent Practice, Supported by Aurora's 50+ Years of Private Hospital Expertise
- Fully Supported Private Practice — step into a fully supported private practice, backed by strong referral networks, end-to-end operational support, referral screening and targeted marketing designed to help you grow your practice and professional profile
- Strong Clinical Governance — practise within a robust governance framework that supports safe, high-quality clinical care, backed by our Chief Medical Officer
- Collegiate Clinical Environment — work alongside experienced peers with access to collaboration, case discussion and second opinions
- Flexibility & Autonomy — all revenue you generate as a VMO through inpatient and private practice is retained by you
- Established Sub-specialty Services — work within established sub-specialty areas supported by multidisciplinary teams and an extensive suite of day-only group therapy programs
- Psychiatrist-led, Specialist Mental Health Care — clinical direction is led by the treating psychiatrist, who is head of the treating team
- Scale & Stability — be part of Australia's largest private mental health provider, offering consistency, demand and long-term security
- Integrated Private Care Model — deliver continuity of care across inpatient, day programs and community settings, supported by hospital-in-the-home and case management models
Access Modern Treatment Models & Emerging Therapies
Access modern treatment models, emerging therapies, and the opportunity to shape specialist services within a progressive private hospital network.
Emerging & Advanced Therapies
Access to contemporary and evolving treatment modalities, including:
- Advanced and emerging medical therapies for treatment-resistant depression (IV and sub-cut)
- Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy
- Esketamine
- Neurostimulation (ECT and TMS)
Flexible Models of Care
Deliver care across multiple settings — hospital overnight admissions, day therapy programs, virtual therapy programs and hospital-in-the-home — designed to support both patient outcomes and your preferred way of working.
Sub-specialty Practice
Work within established programs or build your own, across trauma, addictions, perinatal, eating disorders and more, with multidisciplinary team support and the opportunity to lead and develop new services.
Veteran & DVA Focused Programs
Be part of established, high-demand services, including DVA-approved programs, strong referral pathways, and a focus on veterans and first responders.
Research & Innovation
Opportunities to engage in research and innovation, including The Cannan Institute, universities, and participation in emerging treatment programs — allowing you to stay clinically engaged and at the forefront of mental health care.
Employment, VMO & Locum Pathways
Whether you're building an inpatient practice, expanding outpatient work, completing moratorium requirements, or seeking flexible locum opportunities, Aurora Healthcare provides the governance, infrastructure and professional support to help you thrive in private hospital practice.
Employment
Join us with our 12-month* inpatient employment contracts, offering both full-time and part-time options. We provide competitive yearly salaries for inpatient work and the opportunity to retain billings for outpatient work beyond contracted hours, enabling you to maximize your earning potential.
We offer employment opportunities for the following positions
- Registrar
- CMO
- GP
- Psychiatrist/Specialist
VMO
Experience the freedom of VMO positions with us. Select your hours, retain your billings, and develop your private practice within our fully supporting consulting suites. Whether you prefer flexibility in your schedule or desire to maintain control over your practice, our VMO positions offer the autonomy and support you need to thrive.
- Consultant - inpatient & private practice
For a confidential discussion on our available opportunities, please visit:
Locum
When you are an Aurora locum you have the opportunity to work across any of our hospitals and experience the continuity of shared systems and processes. Whether for short-term coverage or extended periods, we provide opportunities for you to step in and make a difference when required. Join our network and experience the rewards of locum work while enjoying the freedom and opportunity to explore new locations and hospitals.
What we offer
- Competitive daily rates plus super.
- Travel and accommodation packages on negotiation.
Moratorium
Are you prevented from progressing to private practice by the 10 year moratorium?
Aurora Healthcare has a current opportunity for Moratorium Psychiatrists and Physicians to join our contemporary and diverse private hospital, seeing both inpatients and outpatients. 19AB exemptions may be available for you to make the change you are looking for from the public health system
You will need
- Permanent residency
- Completion of FRANZCP
What we offer
- Excellent support and supervision
- Collaborative and diverse multidisciplinary environment
- Ability to choose your patients and develop long term patient relationships
- Open and happy wards
We have extremely competitive packages which include free admin support, furnished office space, marketing, IT systems, parking and no on call work.
Let's Connect
For a confidential discussion about any of our doctor models and the benefits of partnering with Aurora, please email dr.opportunities@aurorahealth.com.au or fill in our form below for a confidential discussion.
Hear from our Doctors
Don’t just take our word for it—hear from our dedicated doctors who have been with us for years.
Being able to admit my outpatients directly to the adjoining hospital for inpatient care and continue managing them myself means my patients receive truly continuous, high-quality care."
Dr Tanveer Ahmed
"I have worked with Aurora since its inception. I started here as a senior registrar in 1989 and have spent my career in the private hospital space. I am the Director of Medical Services at Belmont Private Hospital and the group CMO. Aurora has supported my career throughout its development whilst allowing me to maintain clinical autonomy over my practice."
Dr Mark Spelman
"In partnership with Aurora I have been able to offer innovative treatments to my patients such as Anti-Amyloid Therapy and support Clinical Trials — for example, exploring novel Focussed Ultrasound Therapy for people with cognitive disorders. This would have been otherwise difficult to provide in private practice."
Dr Penny King
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hospitals does Aurora Healthcare operate in Australia?
Aurora Healthcare operates 14 private hospitals across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia, totalling 1,000+ mental health beds and a network of over 250+ psychiatrists. Aurora also partners with Medibank's Amplar Health on iMH, a joint venture operating a further 3 hospitals in Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT.
What career models does Aurora Healthcare offer psychiatrists?
Employment (12-month* inpatient contracts, full-time or part-time), VMO (Visiting Medical Officer, retaining 100% of billings), Locum (short blocks or extended placements, Australia-wide), and Moratorium/Section 19AB pathways for eligible overseas-trained psychiatrists.
Does Aurora Healthcare support psychiatrists on the 10-year moratorium / Section 19AB pathway?
Yes. Aurora Healthcare operates several hospitals in District of Workforce Shortage (DWS) locations, supporting psychiatrists subject to Section 19AB requirements, with streamlined credentialing and practical support.
What sub-specialties can a psychiatrist practise across the Aurora Healthcare network?
Established sub-specialty programs include adolescents & young adults, addiction & dual diagnosis, civilian and complex trauma & PTSD, eating disorders, older persons, mood & anxiety disorders, perinatal mental health, trauma & dissociation, and women's mental health — each underpinned by dedicated inpatient services, day programs and community-based support.
What emerging and advanced therapies can psychiatrists access at Aurora Healthcare?
Advnanced and emerging medical therapies for treatment-resistant depression (IV and sub-cut), psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, esketamine, and neurostimulation (ECT and TMS).
Does Aurora Healthcare offer DVA-approved veteran and first-responder mental health programs?
Yes — several hospitals in the network run DVA-approved programs with strong referral pathways and a specific focus on veterans and first responders.
What CPD and education support does Aurora Healthcare provide its doctors?
Aurora Healthcare is a RACGP CPD Provider, running a dedicated Aurora Podcast CPD education series, evening networking dinners, half- and full-day workshops, live webinars, and on-demand educational video modules — covering mental health, rehabilitation and internal medicine.
How long has Aurora Healthcare been providing private mental health care?
Aurora Healthcare has been providing leading private mental health care for more than 50 years.