Doctor positions Australia. Job Titles and Abbreviations Explained

For doctors trained overseas, understanding the job titles and abbreviations used in Australian hospitals and clinics can be confusing. Whether you are considering a locum position, applying for registration, or planning long-term training, knowing these terms will help you navigate the system with confidence.

This guide explains the most common abbreviations and doctor roles in Australia.

Junior Doctors and Training Levels

Abbreviation	Full Term	What It Means
Intern (PGY1)	Postgraduate Year 1	First year after graduation. Interns work under supervision and rotate across different specialties.
JHO	Junior House Officer	Broad term, refers to doctors from Intern through Registrar.
JMO	Junior Medical Officer	A broad term for doctors in their first 1–2 postgraduate years, including interns and residents.
RMO	Resident Medical Officer	Doctors in PGY2+ who are gaining more clinical experience before specialty training.
HMO	Hospital Medical Officer	Used mainly in Victoria, equivalent to an RMO.
SRMO	Senior Resident Medical Officer	A more experienced resident with extra responsibility, often PGY3–4.
SHO	Senior House Officer	Older term still used in some states, similar to SRMO.

Registrar Level

PHO	Principal House Officer	Equivalent to an Unaccredited Registrar.
Reg	Registrar	A doctor formally enrolled in a specialty training program, e.g., General Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Surgery, etc.
AT	Advanced Trainee	A registrar in the later years of specialty training.

Senior Doctors Positions Australia

SMO	Senior Medical Officer / Consultant	A fully qualified specialist who supervises junior doctors. In some contexts, SMO may also refer to senior non-training staff.
Fellow	Fellow	A doctor who has completed specialty training but may still be awaiting formal recognition.
CMO	Career Medical Officer	A doctor who works long term in a hospital specialty without completing a formal training pathway. Often highly experienced in one clinical area.

Other Common Abbreviations

• MO (Medical Officer) – General term for hospital doctors at various levels.

• VMO (Visiting Medical Officer) – A doctor contracted by a hospital (often GPs providing additional services).

• ED – Emergency Department.

• ICU – Intensive Care Unit.

• GP – General Practitioner, family medicine doctor in the community.

• GP VMO – A GP contracted by a rural hospital to provide GP services or hospital cover in a country town.

• FT / PT – Full-Time / Part-Time.

• Locum – Temporary doctor covering shifts or contracts.

• FIFO – Fly-In Fly-Out, where doctors travel to remote areas for temporary work.

• Metro / Regional / Rural / Remote – Location descriptors. Australia uses the Modified Monash Model (MMM 1–7) to classify regions by level of remoteness.

Why This Matters Doctors

Understanding these terms of doctor's positions in Australia helps overseas doctors navigate job ads, contracts, and expectations in Australian hospitals. For example, knowing that a PHO in Queensland is similar to an Unaccredited Registrar in NSW can make applying for roles much clearer.

At GoldLocum, we simplify this process by guiding you through the terminology, job levels, and opportunities available. Once you understand Australian medical abbreviations, navigating your locum journey becomes much easier.