Working in Australia as a Doctor
Detailed information on working in Australia and how to register as a doctor is available on the DoctorConnect website. This includes:
- information on Australia's healthcare system
- how to find a job as a doctor in Australia
- contact information for medical recruitment agencies
- details on the process for obtaining full medical registration and specialist recognition in Australia
- information on programs to assist employers in rural and regional areas
- contact details for medical boards, professional associations, and government agencies.
The DoctorConnect website is an Australian Government initiative. It has been developed by the Department of Health and Ageing for doctors trained outside Australia and Australian medical employers.
Requirements for practice
Doctors who wish to practise in Australia must first be registered with the Medical Board in the State or Territory where they intend to practise.
After the visa is granted, doctors must apply to Medicare Australia for a Medicare Provider Number if they will be working in general practice or will be prescribing drugs.
Visa Options for Working in Australia as a Doctor
Foreigners who wish to work in Australia as a doctor can apply for either a temporary or permanent visa.
For immigration purposes, doctors seeking permanent residency status in Australia must hold full medical registration. The department will accept one of the following certificates issued by the State or Territory Medical Board as evidence of full registration:
- full/unconditional/general medical registration
- conditional specialist registration - this registration allows you to practise only in your particular speciality, with no further training or supervision requirements.
Note: The Australian State and Territory Medical Boards are responsible for the registration of all medical practitioners. However, in the case of specialists, the Medical Boards require an assessment from the relevant Australian Specialist Medical College before registering a doctor for practice in their field of specialisation. The decision to grant medical registration is entirely up to the relevant State and Territory Medical Board.
For full details see http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/medical-practitioners/doctors.htm
