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New Zealand radiologists are being lured to Australia with million-dollar salaries.
North Queensland X-Ray Services, a private clinic in Townsville, is advertising in New Zealand for a radiologist, offering between $800,000 and $1 million (NZ$970,000 to $1.2 million), The Dominion Post reports.
Clinic director John Gibb told The Townsville Bulletin that the company had had problems filling the vacancy because of worldwide shortages.
Two New Zealand radiologists are already on the clinic's staff of four.
Wellington radiologist Mark Leadbitter, national president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, said such salaries were unheard of in New Zealand.
Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Ian Powell, whose union represents senior doctors, said "it shows what we are up against."
Under a new collective contract with district health boards, New Zealand specialists can earn up to $195,000 in base salary, and up to $250,000 with overtime and other responsibilities.
That salary can treble in the private sector.
- NZPA
