Australian Doctors International is seeking qualified doctors to volunteer for short-term assignments in the remote Western Province of PNG. We welcome doctors from Australia and New Zealand.

You'll be perfect for the role if you love adventure, enjoy meeting new people and exploring new cultures, have an interest in tropical medicine, and above all, want to make a difference.

So far Australian Doctors International have deployed 22 doctors on 28 assignments to look after a patient population of over 32,000 people in North Fly and Middle Fly districts.

Doctors are based at the Montford Catholic Mission in the port town Kiunga, North Fly, where they split their their time between hospital rounds and patrols to remote villages. Deployments range from three months to six months.

If you want to learn more about ADI's doctor deployment program - such as what happens during hospital rounds in Kiunga or what to expect on medical patrols to remote villages - click here.

Medical Officer job description

• Provide medical services to community health centres and aid posts operated by the Diocese of Daru-Kiunga, often in remote and inaccessible areas.
• Provide medical services to Kiunga Hospital, community health centres and aid posts operated by the District government in consultation with health service personnel from National, Provincial and District Health Offices in Western Province
• These services support the PNG National Department of Health Strategic priorities, North Fly District Health initiatives, and the Catholic Health Office plans. Medical service delivery is in line with the PNG Standard Treatment Manuals.
• Support, advise, encourage and share information with community health and aid workers to improve their working environment, medical knowledge and skills, and morale and influence within their communities.
• Follow up on public health programs initiated by ADI in Western Province, primarily malaria bed net education and use, Mass Drug Administration for treatment of filariasis, treatment of leprosy.
• Improve the storage, ordering and management of essential drugs and vaccines from all aid posts and health centres, and through the Catholic Health Office. This applies particularly to those drugs necessary to treat and/or eliminate infectious diseases such as TB and leprosy, and vaccines.
•  Facilitate workshops and other teaching programs on agreed health topics in consultation with the Catholic Health Office, the District Health Office, and North Fly Health Services Development Program.
• Provide the community with basic health and hygiene education where possible.
• Work with the community on issues such as domestic violence, gender equity, physical and sexual abuse, and risk taking behavior
• Provide professional leadership to the ADI team in the field
• Other tasks as agreed with the ADI Board, General Manager and doctor.

• Liaison with ADI field staff and the Catholic Health Office
• Patrol reports to ADI Sydney office
• Casemix
• End of deployment report

You can download a print friendly version of the Medical Officer job description and criteria here.

Frequently asked questions

What is the length of the assignment?

Ideally, three months minimum up to 12 months maximum.

Can I take a partner/family?

Yes, you can take a partner and up to one child.

If your partner is trained in health, ADI will pay for your partner’s airfares. Depending on their qualifications and skills there may be an appropriate role for them either in the Catholic health network or at the local hospital in Kiunga.

If your partner is not trained in health, ADI will not pay for your partner's airfares, but will provide full board and accommodation for the period of the assignment. Your partner may wish to assist in non-medical areas.

What type of accommodation is available?

Accommodation is available for a couple with one child by way of a free-standing, one-bedroom house with a spare bed in the living area. See photos

The house is located on the grounds of the Montfort Catholic Mission in Kiunga. The Mission has a health office, school, centre for children with disabilities and centre for workshops and conferences.

ADI is planning to build a four-bedroom volunteer house at the Mission. This will be available in 2010.

What remuneration will I receive?

You will receive AUD $1,000 per month, payable either to a bank account in Australia or an account in PNG.

What other benefits are there?

ADI provides return airfares, full board and accommodation.

How long does it take between applying to volunteer for ADI and departing for PNG?

If your application is successful, deployment typically takes place over the next 6-8 months.

What about meals?

Food is provided by the Mission and you can choose to cook in your own house or eat in the dining room with the Bishop, Catholic priests, nuns and other lay people.

Occasionally you may wish to supplement your meals with local produce from the markets which would be at your own expense.

How safe is it?

Our program is based in Kiunga, which is a port town and regional center for commerce in the North Fly District. There has been no history of uprisings or violence in the area. The local people are very helpful, friendly and engaging.

Similarly, Australian Doctors International is well respected in the community and it pays to wear garments that display our name so people know who you are.

Accommodation is within the Montfort Catholic Mission complex which houses about 30 people and is regularly patrolled. However, care must be taken to look after your personal belongings.

A safe is provided for your essential personal documents and valuables, and you will need to lock the house when you are not there.

On patrol, you will always be accompanied by our local boatman/driver Jean who is very knowledgeable, reliable and experienced. Generally we find doctors are highly regarded and welcomed by villagers.

What recreational activities are available in the area?

The mining company, Ok Tedi, have a recreation club nearby. It has a swimming pool, basic six-hole golf course and gym.

There is a large library at the mission and cable television.

The area is famous for birdlife including birds of paradise and cassowaries! A local environmentalist caters for interested viewers.

What goods are available in the local shops?

In Kiunga, the shops stock a varying range of goods depending on when the last shipping container arrived. There is a Minimart, a small grocery store, a bulk store, two family stores which sell general grocery items and frozen meats, and a hardware store. There is also a liquor store only open on weekdays.

There is also a major shopping centre at Tabubil, 137 kilometres away or three to four hours by road. There is generally someone going there on a weekly basis.

See photos of daily life in Kiunga.
See photos of volunteer accommodation.

You can view a printable version of FAQ here.

Apply to volunteer