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A mention of Australia evokes images of koalas, kangaroos, and barbecues in the popular imagination. For many international physicians, Australia may be an attractive place to practice medicine. Chronic staffing shortages mean that physicians are in demand in Australia and often can find secure jobs relatively quickly. Once they do so, they can practice to a high clinical standard and pursue teaching or research at the same time. Overall, Australia offers physicians rewarding careers in a welcoming, multicultural environment.
How can an international physician establish a medical career in Australia? This page provides an overview (but not an exhaustive list) of what the country requires and lists resources that can offer information and assistance to physicians who want to begin a new career in the Land Down Under.
Moving to Australia
A physician’s choice of visa depends on whether they are sponsored by an employer, have been nominated by a state or territory, or are eligible for independent skilled streams. The costs range from AUD3210 to AUD4910.
A Skills in Demand visa allows an employer to sponsor a skilled worker to fill a position that no Australian is available to fill. To obtain this temporary visa, a doctor must be nominated for a skilled position by an approved sponsor, have the required skills for the job, and meet the English language requirements. The cost is upward of AUD3210, and processing time can be as long as 90 days.
A Direct Entry stream visa allows a skilled worker who has been nominated by an employer to live and work in Australia permanently. Requirements include age younger than 45 years, at least 3 years’ relevant work experience, and a positive skills assessment. The cost ranges from AUD4910, and processing time ranges from several months to more than a year.
Skilled visas such as 491, 494, and 190 are for workers whose positions are in demand in particular regions or territories. A 491 visa is provisional and enables a 5-year stay. A 494 visa requires the applicant to be nominated by an approved work sponsor to fill a labor shortage in a given region. A 190 visa lets nominated skilled workers live in Australia as permanent residents. The cost is approximately AUD4910, and processing time ranges from 8 to 26 months.
Most employer-sponsored and permanent skilled visas allow the applicant to bring family members to Australia. Potential barriers include visa processing time, health, and character clearance.
A physician seeking Australian citizenship must establish 4 years of lawful residence in the country, including 12 months as a permanent resident immediately before applying. Character and knowledge tests also are required. Applicants must take a citizenship test, and those who are granted citizenship attend a ceremony. The application costs AUD575, and most applications are processed within 10 months.
Although Australia has no national relocation package for international doctors, states and territories, and towns sometimes, offer relocation packages and housing to attract physicians, particularly to remote and rural areas.
Getting Certified
A physician seeking to practice in Australia must register with the Medical Board of Australia. The Standard pathway to registration entails taking the Australian Medical Council (AMC) written exam, taking a clinical exam or workplace-based assessment, and completing 12 months of supervised practice. The AMC written exam, which has a moderate pass rate, costs AUD2920. The clinical exam, which is administered online and has a lower pass rate, costs AUD3400.
Physicians who have been assessed by a competent authority are eligible to register through the Competent Authority pathway, which requires 12 months of supervised practice but not the AMC exams.
Specialists can register through the Medical Board of Australia’s Specialist International Medical Graduates pathway. Certain specialists (eg, anesthesiologists, general practitioners, psychiatrists, and ob/gyn) are eligible for the Expedited Specialist pathway. Specialist colleges such as the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) oversee the assessments. The fees for these assessments vary.
The time needed to complete these pathways ranges from months (eg, Competent Authority pathway) to more than 2 years (eg, Standard pathway).
Finding a Job
Physicians seeking jobs in public hospitals can find open positions on Australian states’ healthcare recruitment sites. These sites include SmartJobs (Queensland), Careers at NSW Health (New South Wales), Careers.Vic (Victoria), I Work for SA (South Australia), WA Jobs and Workforce Hub (Western Australia), Health Jobs NT (Northern Territory), and Jobs.TAS (Tasmania). Individual hospitals also advertise jobs on their websites.
Medical recruitment agencies such as Skilled Medical, CC Medical, and Australian Medical Placements also can help international physicians find jobs in Australia.
The RACGP and other physician associations also list job opportunities across the country. Employers in rural areas often advertise incentive packages.
Physicians generally can find a job in rural or high-demand areas within weeks or months. High-demand specialties include general practice, emergency, and anesthesia. Finding work in urban areas may take several months, however. Employers may require time for the credentialing international physicians. Seasonal patterns affect the amount of time it takes to find a junior doctor position.
Salaries vary according to experience. Interns and junior doctors typically earn from AUD70,000 to AUD130,000. Consultants and specialists can expect to earn a base salary between AUD200,000 and AUD350,000. Pay also varies by overtime, private work, and location.
The following sources provide further information for physicians who are interested in practicing in Australia:
