How to Get a Job As a Doctor in Australia

How to register to work as a doctor in Australia

australian-approved-doctorThis isn’t a question that I am qualified to answer, the process to become registered to work as a doctor in Australia is, from what I understand of it, very complex.

Just as with nurses, much depends on…

  • Your age.
  • Your qualifications and where you obtained them.
  • In some cases successful assessment of your skills.
  • Your ability to speak the English language.
  • And, no doubt, much more.

Who can work as a GP in Australia is governed by the Royal Australian College of GPs. They categorise GPs in to three groups. Category 1 and 2 doctors can generally get a job in Australia as a GP. Category 3 doctors (or those who can’t get categorised) will struggle to find work as there are sufficient Australian-trained doctors for those posts.

Category 1 doctors

Category 1 doctors are those with both a formal training certificate in Family Medicine plus membership of the appropriate Royal College (e.g. Royal College of GPs in the UK). Category 1 doctors most usually gained their qualifications from:

  • UK
  • Ireland
  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • Singapore

Category 2 doctors

Category 2 doctors are those with one or other of the two above mentioned criteria for category 1 doctors. Category 2 doctors most usually gained their qualifications from:

  • Belgium
  • Denmark
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • South Africa
  • Sweden
  • USA

For the full details on these categorisations, please visit RACGP.

If you do not have a qualification from one of the above countries then you would need to apply to be recognised via the Standard Pathway through the AMC.

That’s all I know, and I’m sure you have many questions, like…

Doctors FAQFortunately I know where you can get those answers from, and all you need to do is click on that image and you will be taken to the FAQ page of the government’s website called DoctorConnect.

In fact, the government has two websites that you will find very useful:

How much will you get paid?

Typically, GPs earn around $240,000 in suburban areas. This can rise to $400,000 in more rural areas. You’ll be paid on a fee per service basis – that is each patient is charged for a doctor’s consultation. You get a percentage of this, varying from 50% to 65%, depending on employer and the region.

What is GP work in Australia like?

GP practice in Australia is very similar to the UK & Ireland in terms of clinical work. Practices are generally modern and have nursing support. Some have physiotherapy, pathology, ultrasound, CT and / or ECG too. Usually the practices have 6 to 10 doctors on site. Typically, they are open 12 hours a day, for 5 days per week and often weekends too. They can be situated as standalone premises or in shopping centres or next door to a pharmacy.

Sponsorship

Please see my page about job sponsorships.

More useful links:

The following posts from my blog may be of interest.

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{ 437 comments… add one }
  • Hans Raj Sharma November 3, 2022, 7:54 pm |

    I am doctor from India Qualification- MBBS in 1968 and M.S(Ophthalmology) in1974 and worked in state govt., and retired in 31/05/2001. I worked as eye surgeon and general physician- organised and conducting eye camps on an average 15 camps in a year in rural area of Distt. as well as in Distt. Hospital. As a general doctor I was doing emergency day or night duty as well as medico legal and post mortum work, etc. I am on PR visa in Aust. My wife is also retired Chief Medical officer of the distt. Bilaspur ( Himachal Pradesh) she is MBBS in 1973 and work in Paed.,Gyne. adept. as well as general doctor. She is also on PR visa. I am 81 year old and my wife is 72years old. Can we get gobs in Australia inSydney or near Sydney.

  • Ravindran Balan May 22, 2021, 5:31 pm |

    I have a MBBS India, MRCP UK, decades working in Malaysia as a GP/Physician, aged 73 but fit, PR in Australia since 2012 . Can I work in Australia . I am preparing for the AMC MVQ exams now.

    Please advise.

    Ravindran

    • BobinOz May 24, 2021, 5:35 pm |

      I can’t specifically help you find a job, but if you have the right qualifications and you are registered to work as a doctor in Australia, then I suspect it’s just down to finding someone who will employ you.

      Sorry I can’t help any more than that, but good luck, I hope you find something suitable.

  • Ravindran Balan May 22, 2021, 5:21 pm |

    Continue….
    Now aged73 but we’ll, how can I work in Australia? I have a permanent residency here in Australia

  • Maryam N October 18, 2020, 9:40 pm |

    Hi
    I have done my MBBS and Fellowship in Internal Medicine (FCPS) from Pakistan and have passed MRCGP Int exam.Me and my husband are on PR visa in Australia.Which pathway is suitable for me for GP job in rural Australia??
    TIA

  • Maryam N October 18, 2020, 9:40 pm |

    Hi
    I have done my MBBS and Fellowship in Internal Medicine (FCPS) from Pakistan and have passed MRCGP Int exam.Me and my husband are on PR in Australia.Which pathway is suitable for me for GP job in rural Australia??
    TIA

  • shazia usman January 29, 2020, 4:23 pm |

    i have passed my MBBS in 2004
    I have passed MRCGP(Int)
    Please guide for jobs in Australia .

    Thanks

  • Emma September 11, 2019, 4:39 pm |

    I love the idea of everyone getting involved in the planning — I so need to do that! And the Bob Evans mashed potatoes are crazy good! They are a staple at our house, but I haven’t tried the mac and cheese yet, but I will! Great tips!

    • BobinOz September 13, 2019, 5:03 pm |

      Well, you’re a strange one Emma, but even so, I’ll definitely be looking out for Bob Evans mashed potato to give it a try 🙂

  • dr arun khanna June 8, 2019, 12:45 pm |

    iam a mbbs ( India) medical doctor . a general physician with 45plus years of working experience.
    my age is 73.5 years n in perfect health with zero problems.
    i slso specialized in Radiology..technician n diagnostics.
    can i get a job in Australia n migrate.
    what salary will I get ?

    • BobinOz June 10, 2019, 5:48 pm |

      Well, there are age limitations on many of the visa options, so I fear that 73 (and a .5) years may well be problematic for you.

      Have a look at my page Visas and in particular look at the link to the government website, it will help you answer your question.

    • Afroj Farhina August 30, 2019, 7:45 pm |

      Hi , my husband is a Gastroenterologist from Bangladesh.He has completed his Doctor Of Medicine Degree from Xian Jiatong Medical College, China. He is 42. Will he get any job as a Doctor in Australia.

  • alex February 28, 2019, 1:27 am |

    hey my name alex i have medical mbbs degree now i want to apply 489 pr in australia and i counted my scoure is 70 in pr but whlie apply subclass 489 pr they only need my mbbs degree or they also require amc certificate license for count my degree point in skill based

    • BobinOz March 1, 2019, 7:22 pm |

      I’m not sure exactly how it all works, I just know it’s complicated. Click on one of the two links in the above article, the ones under the line about useful website articles, or on that image with all the questions, and hopefully you will find the answers you need.

  • calvin atandi January 13, 2019, 6:43 pm |

    im a nurse with a desire to work in australia what is the way forward

  • Ben January 6, 2019, 7:23 am |

    Greetings,
    I am an American family physician. At age 46, my points score is limited to 60 and would not increase without a) lower age, b) work/study experience in Australia, c) bringing a partner with skills for extra points.
    I appreciate that Australian docs are guarding their turf, going so far for some to abolish bringing in international medical graduates, but the need for GPs is as strong in Australia as anywhere (i.e., never will have enough).
    Is the new 65 point minimum a hard line, particularly for physicians?
    Thank you for your efforts.
    Ben

    • BobinOz January 7, 2019, 7:22 pm |

      As you probably know, when the government raised the points threshold from 60 to 65 on 1 July 2018, it wasn’t just for GPs, but across the board. Is it hardline?

      I think the government wanted, for whatever reasons, probably the clue is that an election is coming up at some point this year, to reduce immigration a bit.

      Whether it will stay at 65 no one knows, but it is odds-on that by the middle of this year we will have a different political party at the helm, so anything could happen.

  • Yaw Konadu Yiadom December 11, 2018, 7:24 pm |

    My girlfriend is a practising Midwife in Ghana and she has the desire to work in Australia but we do not know if there is a way out since she is currently not in Australia.
    Thanks.

    • BobinOz December 13, 2018, 7:27 pm |

      It’s very complicated. If you want to take it further, then I suggest you speak to a MARA registered migration agent about your girlfriends exact situation to see if there is any possibility for her to come here.

  • Rakesh pandey August 20, 2018, 12:26 am |

    I am an IMG working in India . Due to health reasons I had to leave my job and recently joined a new job .The gap between my past and present job is 3 months . Can’t I apply for GMC registration till I complete 12 months in new job ?

    • BobinOz August 20, 2018, 5:03 pm |

      I have absolutely no idea, I don’t even know what an IMG is 🙂 Anyway, isn’t the GMC registration a UK thing? This page is about becoming a doctor in Australia.

  • Dr Aarti July 25, 2018, 6:30 pm |

    Hi Bob
    I am a clinical microbiologist (degree from India – MBBS and MD) and a fellowship from royal college of pathology London , currently working in kuwait. What kinda scope I have and how to proceed if I wish to work in Australia
    Thanks
    Aarti

    • BobinOz July 27, 2018, 7:50 pm |

      I am not able to answer your questions, but this page has now been sponsored by a company who are actively seeking GPs for Western Australia, so it might be worth you sending your CV to them.

      Details are now at the very top of this page.

  • Divyangi July 8, 2018, 2:00 pm |

    Hi.. My partner is doing mbbs from China and we are planning to go to UK for residency next year and after residency we would like to move to Australia…. Can you help us guys with the process and if writing the Australian exam will be a necessity for migrating from UK to Australia

    • BobinOz July 9, 2018, 8:31 pm |

      I can’t help you with this, you would need to talk to a MARA registered migration agent about your options. From my understanding though, and if you look at the list of countries from where qualifications are best recognised by Australia, China is not on it.

      As I say though, only a MARA registered migration agent could accurately let you know if you have any options.

  • Eirini Polymenopoulou February 10, 2018, 1:17 am |

    I have been a licensed specialist anaesthesiologist since 2015 in Greece and a GMC registered consultant since August 2017 however I do not have license to practice as my grades obtained in the IELTS examination were as follows : Listening 7 reading 7 speaking 8 and writing 6.5 despite the fact that my overall score equals 7, 125 . I would be really interested in working in Australia as well as in Tasmania. Therefore , I would like to have further information as to whether my command and English language qualifications are consideredto be adequate or what do I need to do in order to work in Australia
    Thanking you in advance

    • BobinOz February 12, 2018, 4:24 pm |

      You would need to speak to a MARA migration agent about this, it’s not something I can help you with. I do not answer questions about visas and eligibility.

  • Ranveer singh January 26, 2018, 10:26 pm |

    All type of joint pain like back pain shoulder pain knee pain release without any medicine

  • Danielle December 24, 2017, 10:14 am |

    Hi there,
    I’m originally from Australian and my partner is from the Netherlands and is currently studying medicine there. We want to move to Australia after he finishes so he would need to work and specialise here. We have done a lot of research and the process looks pretty complicated and costly. There also seems to be no way around the requirement to work rurally, although that would be very difficult for me for work and family reasons. I would love to be able to get in touch with an overseas trained doctor who has recently been through the process and could give some advice and tips about it. Do you know anyone who could help me out? Thanks!

    • BobinOz December 24, 2017, 5:36 pm |

      No, I’m afraid I don’t Danielle, but it might be worth you getting in touch with Emma at Transition Medical, the details are above, and see if she can help you?

      • Danielle December 27, 2017, 10:44 am |

        Hi Bob,

        Thanks for that! I’ll get in contact with her and see if she can assist me further.

        Cheers,
        Danielle

  • Nareshkumar Sharma October 14, 2017, 4:22 am |

    Sir . My wife is a Homeopathic Dr From India Having 10 years of Job experience. Can she get any job related to medical or health care field in Australia. Should she apply for PR in Australia.

  • Dr ssb August 4, 2017, 10:52 pm |

    Hi,
    I hv done plab 1 and plab 2 and gmc registrated.i ahve done my 12 months intership from pakistan.i have msc degree in dermatology from world renowed university in london and i have 5yrs experiencein dermatology.am i eligible for competent pathway.i really need help in this im so confused and not able to find proper info.

  • John June 28, 2017, 5:47 am |

    My wife has done her MBBS from India, DEM from UK and fellowship in FICM UK, currently she is pursuing her MRCP degree UK.
    Currently working Qatar.
    I would like to know what are the chances of getting a secured job and which pathway must we apply for our permanent residency.

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