Working as Doctor in Australia: Visa and the Pathways

Doctors and other healthcare practitioners remain on Australia’s most in-demand skilled worker list, providing a great opportunity for international medical graduates. If you aim to work as a doctor in Australia, be prepared for the complex process. Thus, understanding the visa options and other requirements is ultimately essential. This guide, designed to be your comprehensive companion, provides a detailed overview of the pathways available for medical practitioners, ensuring you are well-equipped to achieve your professional goals in Australia.

Working as a Doctor in Australia

Working as a doctor in Australia is not just a career; it’s a rewarding experience both professionally and personally. This is especially true considering doctors and other healthcare practitioners consistently sit on the in-demand skilled worker list in Australia. Australia’s excellent healthcare system, competitive salaries, and high standard of living also make it an attractive destination. To practice medicine in Australia, doctors must have their qualifications recognised by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) and obtain registration with the Medical Board of Australia.

For internationally trained doctors, the process involves passing the AMC exams and sometimes completing a period of supervised practice. Once registered, doctors can work in various settings, including public hospitals, private practices, and specialist clinics. The demand for skilled medical professionals, especially in regional and remote areas, means that doctors often discover many chances for professional growth and job advancement.

Looking for another career? Click here to find the complete in-demand skilled worker Australia list.

The Eligibility Criteria and Skill Assessment

Registration with the Medical Board of Australia is mandatory. The Medical Board is responsible for regulating medical practitioners in Australia. Australian medical students and doctors are seeking to practise medicine in Australia.

Requirements (Mandatory)

All applicants for registration (excludes student registration) must meet the following mandatory registration standards:

• Continuing Professional Development Registration Standard 
• Criminal History Registration Standard
• English Language Skills Registration Standard
• Professional Indemnity Insurance Registration Standard
• Recency of Practice Registration Standard

Types of Registration

• General registration
• Specialist
• Provisional
• Limited
• Non-practising registration

The Board can also grant students registration to medical students undertaking an approved program study.

Skill Assessment

General Requirements:

• Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• English language proficiency with accepted tests: IELTS, OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and minimum scores generally IELTS 7.0 in each band or equivalent.
• Health and character requirements.

Learn more: How to Register with AHPRA as Internationally Qualified Practitioners. 

Benefits of Working as a Doctor in Australia

Working as a doctor in Australia has many advantages, including competitive pay, a high standard of living, and excellent working circumstances. Here are some detailed benefits and the most recent salary statistics for doctors and other medical professionals in Australia.

1. Competitive Salaries: Australian doctors are well-compensated, with salaries varying based on experience, specialisation, and location. Doctors who work more than the standard 38-hour work week will be compensated with penalty rates. Doctors who work shifts on weekends or public holidays also receive additional penalty fees. 

The average yearly physician or doctor salary (working in general practice) is a little over AU$ 100,000. Fairly experienced general practitioners can expect to earn between AU$ 200,000 and AU$ 300,000 per year. However, with overtime, this can rise to about AU $ 400.000 per year. It indeed depends on several factors, such as:

1. • Location (urban or rural)
   • Hours
   • Private or general practices
   • Experience and qualification
   • Employment type
   • The kind of work undertaken (medical specialties)
2. High Standard of Living: Australia offers a high quality of life, including excellent healthcare, education, and public services. Doctors and their families may access comprehensive public and private health care and world-class education.
3. Education and Career Development: Australia provides ample opportunities for further training and specialisation, with access to world-class medical facilities and research.
4. Diverse Work Environment: Doctors can work in various settings, from urban hospitals to rural clinics, providing a range of experiences and challenges.
5. Stability and Security: Doctors are protected by the employment agreement and workplace laws. Also, Australian workplaces encourage staff to support each other.

General Pathway of Migrating to Australia as a Doctor

To be eligible to practice as a doctor in Australia, you must undergo a quite complicated process. The most general pathway for doctors and other healthcare practitioners is:

1. Source a job in the correct location.
2. Apply for medical registration with AHPRA in Australia.
3. Obtain a positive skills assessment (if required).
4. Apply for a visa.

Learn more: Table Points for Australian PR in 2024 – 189/190/491 Visa

Medical Occupations Qualify for an Australia Skilled Visa based on ANZSCO

The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) is a system for classifying occupations according to skill levels and specialisation. The Australian government uses it to assess skilled migration visa applications.  Medical occupations are classified using the ANZSCO framework, each with a unique code.

Based on ANZSCO, Health professionals develop:

• Healthcare plans and policies.
• Perform tests.
• Diagnose and treat physical and physiological diseases.
• Provide nursing care, advice, and counselling to patients to maintain, promote, and restore good health and a safe and healthy working environment.

The tasks Include:

• Examining patients to establish the nature of their complaints and performing or ordering diagnostic procedures.
• Selecting and administering appropriate treatment, medication, and therapy.
• Prescribing prosthetic and corrective devices.
• Providing remedial therapy, rehabilitation, and nursing care.
• Advising on individual, community, and population health measures, health promotion, and a safe working environment.

Skill Level

• Bachelor’s degree or higher qualification. At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1) or
• AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)

Minor Group 253: Medical Practitioners

Medical practitioners fall under Minor Group 253 in the ANZSCO classification. This group includes a variety of medical specialties and roles, each with specific qualifications and responsibilities.

Major Occupation Categories:

1. General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers (ANZSCO 2531)

• Tasks & Responsibilities: Diagnoses and treats physical and mental illnesses, disorders, and injuries. Provides preventive care and health education to specialist Medical Practitioners, other health care workers, and social, welfare, and support workers.
• Skill: ANZSCO Skill Level 1
• Tasks include:
  • conducting examinations and questioning patients to determine the nature of disorders and illnesses, and recording patients’ medical information.
  • ordering laboratory tests, X-rays, and other diagnostic procedures, and interpreting findings to assist in diagnosis.
  • providing overall care for patients, and prescribing and administering treatments, medications, and other remedial measures.
  • monitoring patients’ progress and response to treatment.
  • advising on diet, exercise, and other habits that aid prevention and treatment of disease and disorders.
  • referring patients to and exchanging medical information with specialist Medical Practitioners.
  • reporting births, deaths, and notifiable diseases to government authorities.
  • arranging the admission of patients to hospitals.
• Occupation: General Practitioner (253111) and Resident Medical Officer (253112).
• Visa Options:
  • Subclass 186
  • Subclass 189
  • Subclass 190
  • Subclass 407
  • Subclass 485 – Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
  • Subclass 482 – Medium-Term stream
  • Subclass 187
  • Subclass 494 – Employer-Sponsored stream
  • Subclass 491 – State or Territory Nominated and Family Sponsored stream

2. Anaesthetists (ANZSCO 2532)

• Tasks & Responsibilities: provide direct medical care to patients requiring general or local anesthesia for surgical, diagnostic, and other procedures, such as pain prevention and maintenance of body function.
• Skill: ANZSCO Skill Level 1
• Tasks include:
  • performing pre-operative examinations of patients to determine appropriate anaesthetic and sedation in concurrence with Internal Medicine Specialists and Surgeons.
  • discussing the anaesthetic process with patients and obtaining their informed consent before surgery.
  • administering local, regional, and general anaesthetics using a variety of methods, such as inhalational and intravenous administration.
  • supervising the transfer of patients to operating theatres, positioning them on operating tables, keeping patients warm, and responding quickly and accurately if any problems arise.
  • monitoring patients throughout surgical procedures and in immediate post-operative procedures.
  • recording details of anaesthetic and sedation administered and the condition of patients before, during, and after anaesthesia.
  • liaising with other health care workers to provide diagnosis and treatment for patients with chronic pain and to diagnose and treat patients requiring intensive care or resuscitation.
  • may instruct medical, nursing, student, and ancillary staff on the signs, symptoms, and diagnosis of allergic and anaphylactic reactions to anaesthetic agents and supervision and treatment of life-threatening emergencies.
• Occupation:  Anaesthetist  (253211)
• Visa Option:
  • Subclass 407
  • Subclass 187
  • Subclass 482 – Medium Term stream
  • Subclass 494 – Employer Sponsored stream
  • Subclass 491 – State or Territory Nominated
  • Subclass 186 – Transition Pathway

3. Internal Medicine Specialist (ANZSCO 2533)

• Tasks & Responsibilities: diagnose and treat internal human disorders and diseases using specialist testing, diagnostic, and medical techniques. Medical Registrars training as Internal Medicine Specialists are included in this unit group.
• Skill: ANZSCO Skill Level 1
• Tasks include:
  • examining patients to determine the nature and extent of problems after referral from General Medical Practitioners and other medical specialists, and undertaking laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures.
  • analysing test results and other medical information to make diagnoses.
  • prescribing and administering drugs, and remedial and therapeutic treatment and procedures.
  • recording medical information and data.
  • reporting specified contagious and notifiable diseases to government health and immigration authorities.
  • may admit or refer patients to hospitals.
  • may consult other medical specialists.
• Occupation: Specialist Physician (General Medicine) (253311), Cardiologist (253312), Clinical Haematologist (253313), Medical Oncologist (253314),  Endocrinologist (253315), Gastroenterologist (253316), Intensive Care Specialist (253317), Neurologist (253318), Paediatrician (253321), Renal Medicine Specialist (253322), Rheumatologist (253323), Thoracic Medicine Specialist (253324), Specialist Physicians NEC (253399).
• Visa options:
  • Subclass 186
  • Subclass 189
  • Subclass 190
  • Subclass 407
  • Subclass 485 – Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
  • Subclass 482 – Medium Term stream
  • Subclass 187
  • Subclass 494 – Employer Sponsored stream
  • Subclass 491 – State or Territory Nominated and Family Sponsored

4. Psychiatrists (ANZSCO 2534)

• Tasks & Responsibilities: Diagnose, assess, treat, and prevent human mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders. This unit group includes Psychiatric Registrars training as Psychiatrists.
• Skill: ANZSCO Skill Level 1
• Tasks include:
  • assessing patients’ mental and physical status to determine the nature and extent of mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders.
  • assessing patients’ medical, psychiatric, and psychological histories.
  • examining patients to determine general physical condition.
  • ordering laboratory tests, imaging, neuropsychological tests, and other diagnostic procedures.
  • examining the results of tests and examinations to determine the most appropriate forms of treatment.
  • prescribing and administering medication, psychotherapy, and other physical treatments and rehabilitation programs.
  • arranging admission to hospitals and providing in-patient treatment.
  • consulting, supervising, and working with other Medical Practitioners and Health Professionals.
  • determining whether patients require involuntary treatment following relevant mental health acts.
  • assisting courts and other statutory bodies in managing patients in legal and forensic settings.
  • teaching medical students and registrars and assessing their progress by administering tests.
• Occupation: Psychiatrist (253411)
• Visa options:
  • Subclass 186
  • Subclass 189
  • Subclass 190
  • Subclass 407
  • Subclass 485 – Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
  • Subclass 482 – Medium Term stream
  • Subclass 187
  • Subclass 494 – Employer Sponsored stream
  • Subclass 491 – State or Territory Nominated and Family Sponsored

5. Surgeons (ANZSCO 2535)

• Tasks & Responsibilities: perform surgery to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases, and improve human functioning and appearance. Medical Registrars training as Surgeons are included in this unit group.
• Skill: ANZSCO Skill Level 1
• Tasks include:
  • examining patients to determine the necessity of operations, estimating and explaining risks to patients, and selecting the best operational procedures.
  • reviewing reports on patients’ general physical condition, reactions to medications, and medical histories.
  • consulting with Anaesthetists regarding the correct anaesthesia for patients.
  • performing surgical operations.
  • examining instruments, equipment, and surgical set-up to ensure that antiseptic and aseptic methods have been followed.
  • instructing other medical, nursing, and associated staff regarding the preparation of patients and instrument and equipment requirements.
  • prescribing post-operative care, and observing and investigating patients’ progress.
  • maintaining records of operations performed.
  • may specialise in particular types of operations.
• Occupation: Surgeon (General) (253511), Cardiothoracic Surgeon (253512), Neurosurgeon (253513), Orthopaedic Surgeon (253514), Otorhinolaryngologist (253515), Paediatric Surgeon (253516), Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon (253517), Urologist (253518), Vascular Surgeon (253521).
• Visa options:
  • Subclass 186
  • Subclass 189
  • Subclass 190
  • Subclass 407
  • Subclass 485 – Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
  • Subclass 482 – Medium Term stream
  • Subclass 187
  • Subclass 494 – Employer Sponsored stream
  • Subclass 491 – State or Territory Nominated and Family Sponsored

6. Other Medical Practitioners (ANZSCO 2539)

• Description: It includes Dermatologists, Emergency Medicine Specialists, Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Ophthalmologists, Pathologists and Radiologists. Medical registrar’s training in these specialties is included in this unit group.
• Skill: ANZSCO Skill Level 1
• Occupation: Dermatologist (253911), Emergency Medicine Specialist (253912), Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (253913), Ophthalmologist (253914), Pathologist (253915), Radiologist (253916), Medical Practitioners NEC (253999).
• Visa options:
  • Subclass 186
  • Subclass 189
  • Subclass 190
  • Subclass 407
  • Subclass 485 – Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
  • Subclass 482 – Medium Term stream
  • Subclass 187
  • Subclass 494 – Employer Sponsored stream
  • Subclass 491 – State or Territory Nominated and Family Sponsored

Registration for Students: International Medical Graduates (IMGs)

International medical graduates (IMGs) whose medical qualifications are from a medical school outside of Australia or New Zealand and who are seeking registration to practise medicine in Australia must provide evidence of eligibility to undertake one of the following assessment pathways:

1. Competent Authority Pathway

The Competent Authority pathway is intended for overseas-trained non-specialists but is also available to specialists, including general practitioners. This path leads to general registration.

Who can apply: IMGs who have passed recognized examinations or have completed training under a Board-approved competent authority.

2. Standard Pathway

The Standard pathway is for IMGs who are not eligible for the Competent Authority or Specialist pathways and who want to register with the Board in general.

Who can apply: IMGs who have a primary qualification in medicine and surgery awarded by a training institution recognised by both the Australian Medical Council and the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS).

3. Specialist Pathway

The Specialist pathway is for the following IMGs:

• overseas-trained specialists applying for assessment of comparability to the standard of a specialist trained in that specialty in Australia (specialist recognition), and
• overseas-trained specialists applying for an area of need specialist level position in Australia (area of need)

Who can apply: IMGs who have a primary qualification in medicine and surgery awarded by a training institution recognised by both the Australian Medical Council and the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) and who have satisfied all the training and examination requirements to practise in their field of specialty in their country of training.

How to choose the right pathway to work as a doctor in Australia?

To conclude, understanding the details of each visa type and pathway is crucial for doctors and other skilled professionals planning to work in Australia. The Subclass 186 (Employer Nominated Scheme), Subclass 189, Subclass 190, Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage), Subclass 407 (Training), Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate), Subclass 491, and Subclass 494 visa offer various pathways to gain work experience and potentially secure permanent residency.

Always refer to the official Australian government websites for the most accurate and up-to-date information and consider consulting with immigration experts to navigate the complexities of the visa application process.

Remember, timely and precise information is essential for a successful migration journey.

ONEderland Consulting is committed to providing you with the most recent updates and expert advice. If you wish to be nominated for this year’s Tasmanian Skilled Migration program, we are here to help you.