The Doctor’s Lounge | BFD Podcast

Business For Doctors

The Doctor’s Lounge | BFD Podcast - your go-to space for real conversations about the business side of medicine. Each episode brings together expert voices and real-world insights across finance, HR, legal, education and leadership – all tailored to Australian doctors, GPs, and practice owners. Whether you're building your first practice, managing a growing team, or just trying to make sense of Medicare changes, we've got you covered. Brought to you by Business for Doctors.

  1. Lease or Buy? Property Strategies for Doctors Building or Expanding a Practice

    May 1

    Lease or Buy? Property Strategies for Doctors Building or Expanding a Practice

    We’re joined by Tal Eloss from 1Group Property Advisory to unpack one of the biggest decisions doctors face when starting or growing a practice: should you lease or buy your property? Tal explains why your property strategy should never come before your business strategy, and how staying flexible can open up better opportunities, especially in competitive locations. He walks through the critical due diligence every doctor must undertake, from analysing demographics and competition to ensuring a site is actually fit for purpose through test fits, planning approvals, and building assessments. A key part of the conversation focuses on common (and costly) mistakes. Many doctors assume their solicitor will handle commercial negotiations or overlook approvals required by strata or building management, issues that can delay or completely derail a project. Tal highlights why understanding approval pathways, timelines, and hidden constraints is essential before committing to any site. We also explore evolving trends in healthcare property, including the shift away from traditional street-front clinics, the growing importance of online visibility, and how factors like parking and accessibility can significantly impact patient experience and business success. Whether you're launching your first practice, relocating, or expanding, this episode offers practical, experience-based insights to help you make smarter property decisions and avoid costly pitfalls.

    12 min
  2. From the UK to Australia: What Doctors Need to Know About Super, Tax, and Building Wealth

    Apr 24

    From the UK to Australia: What Doctors Need to Know About Super, Tax, and Building Wealth

    We’re joined by Rich Burton from BFD Financial Planning to explore the major differences between financial planning in the UK and Australia, and what that means for doctors building their careers and wealth here. Rich breaks down how Australia’s superannuation system can be a game-changer for migrant doctors, and why many professionals underestimate the importance of engaging with their super early. He also unpacks key differences in taxation, insurance requirements, and financial structures between the two countries. A major focus of the conversation is on common pitfalls, especially around insurance. Many doctors take out policies early in their careers and never review them again, often leaving themselves underinsured as their income and lifestyle grow. Rich explains why regular reviews and working with a risk specialist is critical to protecting your earning capacity. We also dive into the foundations of building long-term wealth: cash flow management, disciplined investing, diversification beyond property, and why “boring” financial planning is often the most effective. Rich highlights why starting early with super contributions can make retirement planning far simpler down the track. Whether you're an international doctor, a registrar, or a specialist looking to better understand your finances, this episode offers practical, grounded advice on how to take control of your financial future in Australia.

    12 min
  3. From Registrar to Practice Owner: Building a Thriving GP Clinic in Rural Australia

    Apr 17

    From Registrar to Practice Owner: Building a Thriving GP Clinic in Rural Australia

    We’re joined by Dr Casey Going, a GP, educator, and new practice owner to explore the journey from registrar to owning a successful medical practice in rural Queensland. Just three months into ownership, Dr Casey shares what the transition has really been like, including the surprises, challenges, and key lessons learned along the way. From rethinking recruitment to recognising the power of personal branding, he explains why marketing yourself and your values can be just as important as traditional hiring strategies. We dive into the advantages of rural practice ownership, including government incentives, lower entry costs, and strong patient demand. Dr Casey also discusses the strategic decisions behind purchasing an existing practice rather than starting from scratch, and why scale can play a crucial role in long-term sustainability. The conversation also highlights the importance of training pipelines, financial backing, and building a supportive team culture, along with how his work in education and MBS billing has helped shape both his practice and reputation within the industry. Whether you're considering practice ownership or looking to better understand the business side of general practice, this episode offers practical insights and real-world experience from someone who’s recently made the leap.

    13 min
  4. Competitive Market, Smarter Strategy: A Doctor’s Guide to Beating the Market

    Mar 27

    Competitive Market, Smarter Strategy: A Doctor’s Guide to Beating the Market

    We’re joined by Jessica Clauseen from BFD Finance to talk all things property, lending and borrowing strategy for doctors. With intense demand in the housing market and properties selling before open homes, preparation has never been more important. Jessica explains why pre-approvals are critical in a competitive environment and how borrowing capacity can vary significantly depending on the lender. We dive into lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) waivers available to doctors, how some lenders assess overtime and allowances differently, and why that can dramatically impact borrowing power. For many doctors, understanding these nuances could mean saving tens of thousands of dollars, or securing the property they actually want. We also touch on debt recycling, equity strategies and the broader confidence returning to the market as rates shift. Whether you're buying your first home, upgrading, or investing, this episode highlights why working with someone who understands medical income structures can make a real difference.

    6 min
  5. Behind the Business with CEO April Armstrong

    Mar 20

    Behind the Business with CEO April Armstrong

    In the final live recording from the Melbourne BFD Conference 2025, we sit down with the woman behind it all, the driving force of Business for Doctors, Dr April Armstrong. April shares what it really takes to build and lead multiple businesses whilst also practising medicine full-time. From launching BFD Financial Planning alongside Oakmont Financial Services to opening a specialist health and wellness centre in Western Australia, she reflects on the pressure, risk and responsibility that come with growth. This conversation goes beyond the highlights. April speaks candidly about burnout, forcing herself to prioritise self-care, navigating cash flow challenges in a new practice, and the surprising reality that success often amplifies imposter syndrome rather than silencing it. We also explore the evolution of Business for Doctors, the future of primary healthcare, and why embracing change from technology to new models of care, is essential for doctors moving forward. An honest and insightful conversation about ambition, resilience and what really happens behind the scenes.

    19 min
  6. Refinancing for Doctors: Smarter Debt, Equity Strategies & Mortgage Health Checks

    Mar 13

    Refinancing for Doctors: Smarter Debt, Equity Strategies & Mortgage Health Checks

    On this episode at the 2025 Melbourne BFD Conference, we sit down with Fadi Nunu from BFD Finance to break down what refinancing really means for doctors. We candidly discuss the recent rate cuts from the Reserve Bank of Australia and how many homeowners are reassessing their mortgage position. Refinancing is often seen as simply switching to a lower rate, but as this discussion highlights, it’s far more nuanced than that. For many doctors juggling home loans, car finance, personal loans and credit cards, refinancing can be a way to simplify debt and improve cash flow. But those decisions come with trade-offs. Extending a loan term might reduce repayments in the short term, yet increase the total interest paid over time. Tapping into equity can unlock opportunities for renovations or investment, but it also reshapes your long-term debt strategy. From debt consolidation and equity release to loan term extensions and interest trade-offs, this episode explores the pros and cons of refinancing in today’s market.

    12 min
  7. Netflix for GPs? How Armchair Medical Is Transforming Conference Access

    Mar 6

    Netflix for GPs? How Armchair Medical Is Transforming Conference Access

    At the 2025 Melbourne BFD Conference, we sit down with Gary Smith, founder of Armchair Medical, to explore how medical conferences are being reimagined for the modern doctor. Armchair Medical has created what many describe as “Netflix for GPs”, a subscription platform giving doctors flexible access to leading-edge education without the time, travel and cost of attending in person. In this episode, we discuss: Why practical masterclasses attract the most attention How conference content can be available within days The unique protocols involved in filming medical events Why rural and metro GPs alike are turning to on-demand education How doctors are integrating learning into busy lives, from car commutes to treadmill sessions If you’re balancing clinical work, family life and professional development, this conversation highlights a smarter, more flexible way to stay current in a rapidly evolving medical landscape. Tune in for insights on innovation in medical education and how technology is reshaping access for Australian doctors.

    6 min
  8. The AI Revolution in Medicare Billing Dr Casey Going

    Feb 20

    The AI Revolution in Medicare Billing Dr Casey Going

    What does it take to turn a frustration in general practice into a fully launched AI product? In today's episode of the Doctor’s Lounge podcast by Business for Doctors, we welcome back Casey Going from BFD Education to unpack the story behind MBS Pro, an AI-powered platform designed to simplify Medicare billing for GPs. After years of teaching MBS billing weekends, Casey kept hearing the same question: “Isn’t there a system that can just do this for us?” With the rise of large language models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, the opportunity became clear. But transcription alone wasn’t enough. The real innovation? Adding a Medicare-specific intelligence layer on top of AI to help GPs identify eligible item numbers, avoid common billing mistakes and strengthen compliance. In this conversation, Casey shares: • How MBS Pro evolved from an idea into a live product • Why AI transcription is only the starting point • The complexity of Medicare billing and why so many codes go unused • How the platform fine-tunes contextual billing suggestions • The balance between automation, compliance and GP responsibility • What it’s really like building a startup as a non-technical founder If you’re curious about AI in healthcare, Medicare reform, startup journeys or simply want to understand how technology is reshaping general practice, this episode is packed with insight.

    12 min
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About

The Doctor’s Lounge | BFD Podcast - your go-to space for real conversations about the business side of medicine. Each episode brings together expert voices and real-world insights across finance, HR, legal, education and leadership – all tailored to Australian doctors, GPs, and practice owners. Whether you're building your first practice, managing a growing team, or just trying to make sense of Medicare changes, we've got you covered. Brought to you by Business for Doctors.

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