Working as a Doctor in Australia: Pathways, Requirements, and Opportunities

31.01.2025

Australia offers excellent career opportunities for doctors, with a high standard of health care, competitive salaries, and diverse work settings. Whether you are a local medical graduate or an international doctor seeking to practice in Australia, understanding the requirements and career pathways is essential.

Pathways to Becoming a Doctor in Australia

For Local Medical Graduates

  1. Complete a Medical Degree – Typically a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) or Doctor of Medicine (MD) from an accredited Australian university.
  2. Apply for Provisional Registration and Internship – Graduates must apply for provisional registration with the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and undertake their mandatory one-year supervised internship in an accredited hospital.
  3. General Registration – After completing the internship, doctors apply for general registration with the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
  4. Further Training – Doctors can work as Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) while pursuing specialist training through a medical college, such as The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) or The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).

For International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and Specialist IMGs (SIMGs)

There are several pathways for IMGs and SIMGs to practise medicine in Australia:

  • Competent Authority Pathway – For doctors trained in countries with comparable health care standards (e.g., the UK, Ireland, Canada, USA, New Zealand). After assessment, IMGs can apply for provisional registration and complete a period of supervised practice.
  • Standard Pathway – For IMGs who must pass the Australian Medical Council (AMC) exams, including a multiple-choice examination and a clinical skills assessment.
  • Specialist Pathway – For overseas-trained specialists who wish to gain recognition and registration in their field.
  • Fast-Track Registration Pathway – A new pathway allowing eligible doctors to obtain faster registration to address workforce shortages in priority areas and specialties.
  • Temporary Residents with Australian Medical Qualifications – Graduates who completed their medical degree in Australia on a temporary visa must secure an employer sponsor and an appropriate visa to stay and work in Australia.

Step-by-Step Guide for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to Work in Australia

  1. Determine Your Eligibility – Identify the appropriate pathway based on your qualifications and experience. Use the Medical Board of Australia’s self-assessment tool.
  2. Register with the AMC and Pass the AMC Exam (if required) – IMGs under the Standard Pathway must create an AMC Candidate Account and submit their medical qualifications for primary source verification through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). To be eligible, their medical school must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools. Once verified, they can register for the AMC Part 1 (MCQ Exam) at a designated Pearson VUE testing center in their country overseas. Some employers may sponsor doctors who have passed AMC Part 1 and allow them to complete the AMC Clinical Exam or workplace-based assessment in Australia. Otherwise, IMGs can apply for a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 494) to enter Australia for the purposes of taking the exam, before following the steps below.
  3. Secure a Job Offer and Obtain an Approved Position – IMGs generally need an employer to sponsor them for a visa. They can apply for hospital-based positions, regional health roles, or positions in private practice. Many jobs are advertised through government health departments, recruitment agencies, and private clinics. You can search and apply for current job vacancies on MedicalJobsAustralia.com here. Employers often require IMGs to work in Distribution Priority Areas (DPAs) or Areas of Need (AoN) to access Medicare billing rights, which affects where IMGs can work.
  4. Apply for Registration – Submit an application through Ahpra for provisional or general registration.
  5. Meet Supervision Requirements – IMGs on provisional registration must complete a period of supervised practice before gaining general registration.
  6. Apply for a Visa – Work with an eligible sponsor to secure the appropriate visa via the Department of Home Affairs. IMGs can apply for the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482), Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186), Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), or the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190).
  7. Complete Further Training – If necessary, continue training for specialist registration.

Work Settings and Opportunities

Doctors in Australia can work in various settings, including:

  • Public Hospitals – Providing emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care.
  • Private Hospitals – Offering elective and specialised medical services.
  • General Practice (GP) – A crucial sector where GPs provide primary care and preventative medicine.
  • Rural and Remote Medicine – There is strong demand for doctors in regional and rural areas, with incentives available for those willing to relocate.
  • Research and Academia – Opportunities exist in medical research and teaching within universities and research institutions.

Job Outlook

Doctors in Australia earn competitive salaries, with pay varying by specialty, experience, and location.

The demand for doctors remains strong, especially in regional areas and in high-demand specialties such as psychiatry, anaesthesia, general practice, obstetrics and gynaecology, diagnostic radiology and emergency medicine. 

Final Thoughts

Working as a doctor in Australia is a rewarding career with significant opportunities for professional growth. Whether you are a medical student, a graduate, or an international doctor, understanding the pathways and requirements is key to a successful medical career in Australia.

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Prepared by the MedicalJobsAustralia.com editorial team.


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