How to Immigrate and Work in Australia as a Doctor?

Step 2. Skill Assessment

Skill assessment for doctors in Australia by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) is the second crucial step to getting residency in Australia for IMGs. Here’s how you do it:

1. Create an account on the AMC website. This account allows you to create your own AMC portfolio where you can submit and manage your documents. The fee is approximately AUD 500.
2. Gather your documents, including your medical degree certificate, transcripts, identification documents (passport), and proof of your registration with the medical board in your home country. Have those documents officially translated into English.
3. The AMC requires qualifications to be verified directly from the original source. The institution from which you obtained your qualifications must submit them directly to the AMC or through a verification agency that is approved by the AMC. The fee ranges from around AUD 200 per qualification.
4. Choose the Assessment Pathway depending on your background and qualifications:
   1. Standard Pathway (AMC Examinations). You’ll need to pass the Computer Adaptive Test Multiple Choice Questions (CAT MCQ) followed by the AMC Clinical Examination if your medical school isn’t recognized in Australia. AMC CAT MCQ Examination is approximately AUD 2,720, and the AMC Clinical Examination is approximately AUD 3,530.
   2. Competent Authority Pathway. You can use this if you’re licensed in a country that has an agreement with Australia (like the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland). You might not need to sit for the AMC exam. The fee is about AUD 500
   3. Specialist Pathway. It’s for doctors who want to become specialists in Australia. Your specialty will require additional assessments.
5. You can submit your application through your AMC portfolio once you’ve chosen your pathway. Make sure everything is entered correctly and that your documents back it up.
6. Pay the fees for the assessment. You can typically do it through the AMC’s online portal.
7. After submitting your application and payment, the AMC will review your documents. This process can take several months.
8. If you’re on the Standard Pathway, you’ll need to pass the AMC CAT MCQ Examination first. Successful candidates will then be eligible to take the Clinical Examination.
9. Once everything is complete, the AMC will inform you of the outcome. If successful, you can apply for registration with the Medical Board of Australia.

Step 3. Registering with the Medical Board of Australia (MBA)

Before you can practice medicine in Australia, you need to register with the MBA. Here’s how to complete your registration:

1. Before applying, ensure you have completed the Australian Medical Council (AMC) exams.
2. Gather your documents, including:
   1. Proof of identity (like a passport)
   2. Your qualifications and medical training.
   3. Results of the AMC examination or proof of assessment through an accepted pathway.
   4. English language proficiency evidence
   5. Recent passport-sized photographs
   6. Any other additional documentation
3. Choose the type of registration that fits your situation:
   1. An independent physician may register as a general practitioner if they have completed all required training and assessments.
   2. The provisional registration is for doctors who need to complete supervised practice in Australia.
   3. The Specialist Registration program is for doctors who have been assessed as specialists.
4. To apply, visit the AHPRA website, create an account, and fill out the online application form. You need to attach your documents.
5. Pay the registration fee. General Registration is from approximately AUD 300 to AUD 750. Provisional Registration is generally slightly less than the general registration fee. Specialist Registration typically ranges from AUD 760 to AUD 1,500.
6. Review your application carefully and submit it.
7. Undergo a criminal history check, which AHPRA will coordinate.
8. AHPRA will review all documents and conduct necessary checks. This process can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks. You may be asked to provide additional information or clarification during this time.
9. If successful, you will receive a notification from AHPRA and the MBA confirming your registration status, which will include your registration number.
10. You can legally begin working as a doctor in Australia.

Step 4. Applying for an Australian Work Visa

To immigrate to Australia as a doctor, you must get an Australian work visa. Here’s how you go about it:

1. Determine the appropriate visa type for your case. The most common visas for Australian immigration for doctors include the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa and the Skilled Independent visa.
2. For the TSS visa, you will need a job offer from an Australian healthcare facility. To secure a job offer, you can use various job searching websites and recruitment agencies.
   1. Job searching websites include Seek, Indeed Australia, Jora, Adzuna Australia, and CareerOne.
   2. Recruitment agencies in healthcare include HealthcareLink, MedRecruit, Aussie Locums, HealthStaff Recruitment, and Global Medics Australia.
3. Some visas, like certain streams of the Skilled Independent visa, might require a nomination from an Australian state or territory. Applying for a state nomination in Australia involves:
   1. Choosing where you’d like to apply. Do it based on your professional and personal preferences.
   2. Going to the respective state or territory’s website to find specific details and requirements.
   3. Checking the eligibility criteria and requirements.
   4. Gathering your documents. They include your CV, identity proof, educational certificates, and evidence of English proficiency.
   5. Filling out the form and applying online.
   6. Paying the fee of around AUD 200 to AUD 300.
   7. It usually takes about 2 to 8 weeks for the nomination to be processed.
4. Gather your documents for the visa, including:
   1. Proof of identity (passport photographs, national ID)
   2. Medical qualifications and certificates
   3. Registration or eligibility letter from the Medical Board of Australia
   4. Job offer letter (for the TSS visa)
   5. English language proficiency proof
   6. Documents pertaining to state nomination (if applicable)
5. Apply online through the Australian Department of Home Affairs website. Complete the forms and attach all your documents.
6. Pay the visa application fee. TSS visas cost around AUD 1,265. The Skilled Independent visa generally costs around AUD 4,045.
7. You’ll need to complete a health examination by a doctor approved by the Australian government.
8. You’ll also undergo a background check to assess your criminal record and overall character.
9. Wait for the visa processing to be over. TSS visas typically take about 2 to 4 months. Skilled Independent visa might take from 6 to 8 months.
10. If successful, you will be notified by the Department of Home Affairs, and you can then make arrangements to immigrate to Australia as a doctor.

Step 5. Relocating to Australia

Before you immigrate to Australia as a doctor, you must arrange your housing, bank account, etc. You will also have to go through some registration when you arrive there.

Necessary Registrations for Doctors in Australia:

• Australian Business Number (ABN) Registration. You need to do it if you are planning to work as a contractor or private practitioner. Apply online via the Australian Government’s Business Registration website. The process is free of charge.
• Tax File Number (TFN) Registration. All doctors must comply with tax laws. You must apply through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), either online or at a post office. Again, this is free to apply.
• Medicare Provider Number. It is required to bill Medicare for medical services and prescriptions. You must apply through the Department of Human Services once registered with the MBA. Once more, it is free to apply.

Banking

Major banks include:

• Commonwealth Bank
• ANZ (Australia and New Zealand Banking Group)
• Westpac
• National Australia Bank (NAB)

Housing

• realestate.com.au
• Domain
• Rent.com.au
• Flatmates.com.au

Health Insurance

Doctors need to secure private health insurance:

• Bupa
• Medibank
• HCF
• NIB

Cost of Living in Australia

To work in Australia as a doctor and live comfortably, the annual cost of living (excluding rent) can range from AUD 20,000 to AUD 30,000.

How Much Do Doctors Get Paid in Australia?

The average salaries of doctors in Australia vary widely depending on factors such as specialty, location, and level of experience. However, it ranges from approximately AUD 70,000 for entry-level positions to over AUD 250,000 for experienced specialists.

Are doctors highly paid in Australia? Yes, doctors are well-compensated in Australia. Their compensation reflects the significant education and training required, as well as the responsibilities and demands of the profession.

Specific Salaries of Foreign Doctors in Australia

• Australia MBBS Doctor Salary: Around AUD 70,000 to AUD 80,000 annually.
• Salary of a Doctor in Australia: It ranges from AUD 70,000 to over AUD 250,000 per year.
• Anaesthesiologist Salary in Sydney: It ranges from AUD 250,000 to AUD 400,000 annually.
• Specialist Doctor Salary in Australia: They can earn from AUD 150,000 to over AUD 500,000 per year.
• MBBS Salary in Australia: They earn between AUD 70,000 and AUD 80,000.
• Doctor Salary in Australia After Tax: After tax, a doctor earning a median salary of AUD 150,000 might take home about AUD 100,000 to AUD 110,000 annually.

Doctor Job in Australia for Foreigners

Here is a list of jobs for foreign doctors to work in Australia:

• General Practitioner (GP)
• Hospital Resident or Registrar
• Specialist Physician (e.g., Cardiologist, Neurologist)
• Surgeon
• Emergency Medicine Doctor
• Pediatrician
• Anesthesiologist
• Psychiatrist
• Medical Researcher

Jobs for Doctors in Australia Without AMC

Foreign-trained doctors typically need to pass the Australian Medical Council (AMC) exams. However, some jobs don’t need full registration with the AMC. These include:

• Clinical Research Associate
• Medical Administrator
• Public Health Officer
• Medical Lecturer or Academic
• Health Informatics Specialist
• Medical Writer