Australia is a popular destination for immigrants due to its outstanding quality of life, successful economy, and diversified population, which already houses tens of thousands of ex-pats worldwide. It is not surprising, then, that physicians from other nations are interested in immigrating to Australia as doctors and starting to work in Australia. Consequently, the migration procedure is frequently one of the doctors’ first questions.
 In summary, doctors and physicians can migrate to Australia through various programs. For instance, the 482 Visa is the most often utilized visa for doctors traveling to Australia. You can bring the direct family (such as your spouse and children) to Australia as part of your visa. Individual visa fees typically vary between $2,600 and $4,000 AUD. Most visas used for traveling to Australia as a doctor provides for the potential of converting from a visa to permanent residency. After three years, you can usually seek permanent residency with the 482 Visa.
 This essay will discuss how to immigrate to Australia as a doctor, Doctors’ salaries in Australia, the steps of getting a work permit in Australia, the requirements, etc.
Are Doctors In-demand in Australia?
Australia will likewise face a severe doctor shortage in the future, particularly among full-time general practitioners. Researchers predict a shortage of 9,298 full-time GPs by 2030, accounting for 24.7 percent of the GP workforce. But, there are also opportunities in a variety of other doctor specializations.
Regional locations have an exceptionally high demand. Many Australian medical school graduates are hesitant to practice in rural or remote areas with low population density. They frequently do not want to leave the city and travel to the countryside or the wilderness. And, if they desire to specialize, they frequently train in cities. As a result, there is a high need for appropriately skilled doctors throughout Australia.
How Can Doctors Work in Australia?
Medical graduates may be eligible to work in Australia’s regional, rural, and remote areas if they satisfy specific qualifications.
If you satisfy the following criteria, you are a medical graduate:
- Obtained your medical degree anywhere other than Australia or New Zealand
- A temporary resident of Australia or New Zealand enrolled in a medical degree.
How to Immigrate to Australia as a Doctor?
There are three primary stages for an International Medical Graduate (IMG) to operate as a medical practitioner in Australia:
- Acquire a successful skills evaluation
- Become a member of the Australian Medical Board (AMB)
- Obtain a visa
How to Acquire a Successful Skills Evaluation in Australia?
Moving to Australia as a Doctor or an International Medical Graduate (IMG) can be a complicated procedure. The first phase of the process, Skills Assessment and Registration, is covered in this article. It is worth noting that there is no specific Skills Assessment result. The two procedures are carried out concurrently.Â
Six people are involved in the different skill evaluation and registration processes:
- Australian Medical Board (AMB). It enrolls all medical professionals and students.
- Australian Medical Council (AMC). It is the Australian verification body for all medical credentials and administers the Standard Pathway assessment exams.
- Approved Competent Authorities. They are international organizations approved by the Australian Medical Board to examine applied medical knowledge and fundamental clinical skills for medical registration.
- Australian Specialist Medical Colleges. It is in charge of the Specialist Pathway evaluations.
- Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). It provides medical qualification verification through its Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC) service.
- The Applicant
There are three possible routes for skill evaluations leading to AMB registration, which are as follows:
Competent Authority Pathway
General practitioners (including non-specialists) can apply for general registration (not specialist registration) through the Competent Authority Pathway with the AMB. In Australia, the Australian Medical Board administers the Competent Authority Pathway, which recognizes training and supervised work experience (internship equivalents or residency programs) from countries other than the UK, Canada, USA, New Zealand, and Ireland as valid for provisional registration.Â
Furthermore, the AMB demands that you have a job offer before filing for provisional registration. Applicants following this pathway may be asked to do a pre-employment structured clinical interview (PESCI) before the AMB considers their application for temporary registration. Click the link to find more details about this route.
Standard Pathway
The AMC administers the Standard Pathway, generally utilized by medical practitioners who were not eligible in New Zealand, the UK, the US, Canada, or Ireland. In this category, the candidate must:
- Submit an application to the AMC for standard route and primary source verification.
- Take and pass some exams. These exams are AMC CAT MCQ Exam.
- Take and pass the AMC Clinical Examination, and you will be awarded an AMC certificate.
- Obtain a work offer
- Apply for provisional registration with the MBA.
- Complete 12 months of supervised practice after receiving temporary registration permission.
Applicants can also take and pass the AMC Clinical Examination and get an AMC credential while finishing the 12 months of supervised practice.
Pre-employment structured clinical interviews (PESCIs) may require applicants under the Standard Pathway before the AMB considers their registration application. Click the link to find more details about this route.Â
Specialist Pathway
Pathway for specialists is for experts who can be categorized as:
- Overseas-trained professionals seeking assessment of comparability to the quality of an Australian-trained specialist in that specialty
- Overseas-trained professionals seeking a career as an area of need specialist in Australia
The expert assessment procedure differs by expertise and is conducted by the relevant college. Click the link to see a list of colleges.
Applicants for the Specialist Pathway do not need a PESCI, and the conclusion of the evaluation can result in Limited Registration, Provisional Registration, or Specialist Registration. Click the link to see more about the Specialist route.
The PESCI
The PESCI, or the pre-employment structured clinical interview, is an objective evaluation of your knowledge, abilities, clinical experience, and qualities to establish your suitability for a specific role. The PESCI is a structured clinical interview that uses scenarios. The Medical Board of Australia may need it as part of the information it requires when evaluating whether or not to grant registration. Click the link to see more about the PESCI.
Australian Skills Assessment Process for Immigrant DoctorsÂ
Step 1. Check here to see if the AMC acknowledges your primary qualification. Your credentials must also be acknowledged by the World Directory of Medical Schools for standard pathway and specialty pathway candidates.Â
Step 2. Obtain Primary Source Verification for all of your credentials. Next, you must set up an EPIC account and submit all of your criteria. Click here to do it.
Step 3. You must choose the AMC to get verification status updates after you have an EPIC Account.
Step 4. Create an AMC Portfolio. They will obtain EPIC verifications, which will be used to measure your skills. Click here and apply for an AMC account.Â
Step 5. Begin the skills evaluation procedure by following the appropriate path:
Competent Authority Route: Make an application straight to the Australian Medical Board
Standard Route: Begin the AMC evaluation process by going to your AMC account and selecting “AMC examinations.” After passing both AMC examinations (or the AMC CAT ACQ exam and the workplace evaluation), you will be granted an AMC certificate, which you must present to the Medical Board of Australia for registration.
Specialist route: Send your Specialist application to the relevant specialist medical college for evaluation.
How to Get Registered with the Australian Medical Board (AMB)?
You will need to register to work in Australia after finishing the skills assessment procedure. The Medical Board of Australia is in charge of registration, and all candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Continuing Professional Education (CPD)
- Criminal Record
- Language Skills in English
- Practice Reliability
- Insurance for Professional Indemnity
Click the link to see more details about these requirements. The AMB recognizes four methods of registration for skill assessment applicants:
- Specialist
- Limited
- General
- Provisional
What are the Language Requirements for Immigrant Doctors in Australia?
Doctors must meet the English language requirements set by the Medical Board of Australia:
- In countries where English is not the first language or the doctor did not complete tertiary education in English, they must pass IELTS Academic Module.
- Another option for assessing the language skills of healthcare professionals seeking to work in English-speaking countries is the Occupational English Test (OET).
Temporary Visas for Immigrant Doctors in Australia
Overseas-trained physicians with degrees equal to Australian standards, and those candidates who completed their medical study in Australia on a student visa, have many temporary and permanent resident visa options under Australia’s skilled migration program.
Medical occupations that may be nominated for a skilled visa encompass a wide variety. Therefore, the occupations on the list vary over time. However, it often refers to various medical practitioner categories, including general medical practitioners, anesthetists, specialized physicians, and surgeons.
Temporary Visas
The most frequent method for medical practitioners is the TSS Visa, also known as Subclass 482, which requires you to find sponsorship by an Australian medical practice or hospital. When the visa application is accepted, the employee must continue to work for their sponsor while the visa is valid. But, some conditions apply to doctors that allow them to work under contract or take on additional employment outside their typical working hours with their sponsor. This visa has no age restrictions.
Temporary Work Visa (Subclass 457)Â
Temporary residency visas sponsored by employers are known as 457 visas. The visa owner can work in Australia for up to four years. In addition, secondary applicants may be included in a visa application by an eligible visa holder – secondary applicants are allowed to work and study in Australia if they are eligible.
Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 or 462)Â
Young physicians (30 and less, or 35 and less if you are from Canada, Ireland, or France) can utilize working holiday visas to:
- While seeking a job as a medical practitioner, you can travel and work in Australia.
- if you have a work offer in Australia, have finished the skills exam and registration process, and are eager to come to Australia as soon as possible
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)Â
It is only valid if you studied full-time in Australia for more than two years and wish to stay to obtain job experience.
Permanent Residence Visas (General Skilled Migration) for Immigrant Doctors in Australia
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)Â
It is a points-based visa that is part of the SkillSelect program.
- Registration as a General or Specialist is necessary.
- The age restriction for this visa is 44 at the time of application (except for qualified New Zealand residents)
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)Â
It is a points-based visa that is part of the SkillSelect program.
- An Australian State or Territory must recognize you.
- Registration as a General or Specialist is necessary.
- The age restriction for this visa is 44 at the time of application.
Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
It is a points-based visa that is part of the SkillSelect program.
- You must be recognized by an Australian State or Territory or an eligible relative.
- Registration as a General or Specialist is necessary.
- The age restriction for this visa is 44 at the time of application.
Permanent Residence Visas (Employer Sponsored) for Immigrant Doctors in Australia
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)
It is necessary for you to be recognized by an Australian medical practice or hospital:
- You have to have the necessary registration level to fulfill the post’s tasks for which you have been nominated.
- You must work full-time for that practice or hospital.
- You might work as a contractor or full-time employee of that practice or hospital.
- The age restriction for this visa is 44 for the Direct Entry Stream and 50 for the TRT Stream at the time of application. Doctors are free from some requirements.
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (Subclass 187)
It is necessary for you to be recognized by an Australian medical practice or hospital in Regional Australia:
- You must get clearance from the Regional Certifying Body for the practice or facility’s area.
- You must possess the necessary registration level to fulfill the tasks of the position for which you have been nominated.
- You have to work full-time for that practice or hospital.
- You might be an independent contractor or a full-time employee of that practice or hospital.
- At the time of application, the maximum age for this visa is 44. Doctors are free from some requirements.
What is the Best Temporary Visa For Doctors to Permanent Residency in Australia?
The Shortage of Temporary Skills (subclass 482) This visa is the most frequent option for a doctor to migrate to Australia and needs you to be sponsored by an Australian medical practice or institution.
When the visa application is accepted, the employee must continue to work for their sponsor while the visa is valid. But, some conditions apply to doctors that allow them to work under contract or take on additional employment outside their typical working hours with their sponsoring employer. This visa has no age restrictions.
Steps for Immigrating to Australia as a Doctor Under Subclass 482 Visa
The TSS 482 visa application procedure consists of three steps:
Step 1: The employer must submit a sponsorship application (the employer must be a legal, active, operating business and comply with local employment laws and practices).
Step 2: The nomination application is the second stage of the application procedure. Again, the employer is in charge of this. This form involves completing information about the post, such as wage data, attempts to employ Australian workers, and the ‘genuineness’ of the position. The company must also be financially viable to attract foreign investors.
Step 3: The chosen employee must apply for a visa. The visa applicant must demonstrate that they have the necessary abilities and health and character standards for their employees. The candidate completes this stage.
Steps for Immigrating to Australia as a Doctor Under ENS 186
Step 1: Determine if you satisfy all the requirements for working in Australia.
Step 2: Request that your employer submit their nomination. Before you may apply for the Subclass 186 visa, your employer must nominate you to the Australian Department of Home Affairs. You must apply within six months of the nomination being accepted.
Step 3: Get Your Documents Ready. You must submit many papers with your Subclass 186 Visa application to support the allegations.
Step 4: Submit Your Application Online. You must apply online for the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa.
Step 5: Await a decision. The DHA can take many months to decide on your visa application; the current wait time is 5- 11 months.
Step 6: Get your visa and begin working. When your application is granted, you will be issued a visa and will be able to start or keep working in Australia.
Steps for Immigrating to Australia as a Doctor Under General Skilled Migration (189, 190 & 491)
Step 1: Registration / Assessment of Skills
Step 2: Register with Skill Select and submit an expression of interest, including:
- Results of the skill assessment
- Your points
- English rates
- Choose a state or region.
Step 3: Wait for a state/territory invitation.
Step 4: Once invited, assemble your documents and return them within 60 days.
Step 5: Apply for your visa, either 189, 190, or 491.
How Can Doctors Exchange Australian Temporary Visas for Permanent Residency?
Physicians can become permanent residents after three years if they meet their age, English proficiency, health, and character requirements. It is substantially more difficult to get permanent residency after 45. Visa categories such as 186, 189, 190, and 491 may also be utilized.
Can Doctors Bring Their Family When Immigrating to Australia?
Permanent Visas in Australia allow you to add immediate family members to your application. You may include the following family members:
- Your spouse or partner
- Your stepchild or dependent kid
- Dependent kid or stepchild of your partner
- Your or your partner’s dependent child or stepchild
This implies you cannot sponsor other family members. For instance, your parents, siblings, or grandparents.
How has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Visa Applications for Australia?
The COVID-19 epidemic is a driving factor behind the changing Australian immigration environment, with the Federal Government taking measures to give some exemptions to temporary visa owners in Australia while also focusing on how migration may play a long-term part in economic recovery.
According to the Budget, the program numbers for the 2021-22 Migration Program planning levels remained at 160,000. Places in the family and skilled streams were maintained, with a sustained emphasis on onshore visa applications. Priority has been given to highly talented foreigners in the employer-sponsored business innovation and investment and global talent programs for skilled visas.
How much is the Salary of a Doctor in Australia?
In Australia, a Doctor / Physician usually takes roughly 213,000 AUD annually. However, salaries vary from 78,400 AUD (the lowest average) to 360,000 AUD (the highest standard).
This is the average annual pay, which includes housing, transportation, and other amenities. Salaries for various Doctor / Physician occupations vary greatly.
What are the Benefits of Immigrant Doctors in Australia?
Immigrating to Australia as a doctor and starting your career comes with various benefits. Here is a list of those benefits.
Rewards for working in priority areas
There are constraints on where you may work as an overseas medical graduate in Australia. To begin, you must focus on a high-priority topic. Priority areas are typically located in a regional, rural, or distant setting. There are several compelling reasons for you to work in these fields:
- It is a critical step in having your abilities recognized.
- The expense of living is low.
- Communities are kind and helpful.
- International Medical Graduates now have additional work options.
- The General Practice Rural Incentives Program provides financial motives for working in more rural places.
The standard of living is high
Our high-quality healthcare system and plentiful career possibilities make Australia an attractive environment for physicians to work and live in.
In Australia, becoming a doctor is a prestigious career. You play a vital role in the community. In addition, you can earn a good wage and have excellent working circumstances.
You and your family might benefit from comprehensive public and private health care and world-class education.
Education and career growth
Doctors in Australia are constantly studying and honing their expertise. You must enroll in a program to obtain professional recognition if you operate in private practices. This might result in additional career chances. There may be options to work in the public sector and specialize.
Job satisfaction
We now require additional experts, especially general practitioners, in Australia’s regional, rural, and remote locations. Today, people in some of these places lack access to necessary health and medical services. You will assist in areas where your abilities will impact most.
Job security
Workplaces in Australia encourage employees to help one another. Your job agreement and workplace legislation also protect you.
Housing
In the cities of Australia, housing options range from elegant high-rise flats to big homes with acreage in lovely areas. Smaller and more remote are country towns and regional cities. Real estate agents are typically used to renting out the property.
What are the reasons for Immigrant Doctors to Work in Australia?
Australia is an attractive place for medical professionals to live and work since it provides a good work/life balance and a relaxed lifestyle. Furthermore, Australia features some of the world’s best healthcare facilities and several prospects for professional advancement. Here are additional reasons why you might choose to work as a doctor in Australia:
- As a doctor, you expect clinical excellence to be of the highest caliber.
- As a result, physicians in Australia are held to a very high level, and their education reflects this. You will be regarded and respected as a devoted and professional team member. Of course, your compensation and working circumstances reflect this as well.
- There will be many chances; your abilities will be in high demand, and you will be able to negotiate higher contracts.
- You can choose between working in the private and governmental sectors. While the public system is ideal for newcomers because it provides stability and structure (as well as benefits such as up to ten paid sick days per year and up to five weeks of vacation per year), the private system can offer higher salaries, and the advantages of the public system might even be equaled if the possessing company is large enough.
- Aussies work hard and play even more challenging. On an island, several water-related sports are available, and most big or capital cities provide them. If you enjoy nightlife and eating, you may do so both on the shore and inland.
- There are several resorts and tropical retreats to choose from, so there is no shortage of locations to unwind. The weather is ideal for any type of activity.
- Significant snowfall ensures lots of powder for snowboarders and skiers; the outback and mountains are perfect for campers and four-wheel drivers.
- Furthermore, Australia has a stunning landscape and is primarily free of natural calamities.
- Whether you’re a rookie doctor or a seasoned professional, training and advancement possibilities abound.
- Finding a job with a respectable organization may be simple, and help comes in many forms.
- Overtime is compensated, and it is handsomely compensated if you decide to work it.
- Depending on your qualifications and history, you may be granted provisional registration without taking any examinations.
Let’s Sum up
GPs are in high demand in remote locations, but you may need to learn to manage snakebites and tropical infections. Psychiatrists of all varieties and specialists in obstetrics, gynecology, and radiology are in great demand. Doctors in Australia work fewer hours than their counterparts in the United Kingdom, often between 35 and 38 hours per week, depending on seniority and specialty. Extra hours are typically considered overtime and are compensated for, usually at double time.
There are various visa options for immigrating to Australia as a doctor. However, doctors must go through a skill assessment process with different steps.
If you have any experience immigrating to Australia, please share it with us in the comment section.Â
FAQ
Is Australia an excellent place to work as a doctor?
Australia is an attractive place for medical professionals to live and work since it provides a good work/life balance and a relaxed lifestyle. Furthermore, Australia features some of the world’s best healthcare facilities and several prospects for professional advancement.
Is Australia better than the UK for doctors?
Aside from the lovely weather, people, and lifestyle, the main draw has been the cash – Australia provides the highest paid medical employment for UK doctors. British doctors can earn up to 50% more in places like Sydney and Brisbane, depending on their seniority.
Are doctors in high demand in Australia?
Australian doctors are in plentiful supply and have never been in short supply – the problem is one of maldistribution. For example, 3.3 doctors per 1000 people in Australia compared to 2-3 doctors per 1000 people in the developed world.