Doctors Living and Working in Australia
For decades, doctors from the UK, Ireland, and beyond have considered working and living in Australia as the dream move.
And they still are! Doctors continue to flock here, drawn to the unique lifestyle and professional opportunities. But before you make the leap, there's essential information you need to know.
That's where BLUGIBBON comes in.
We've made it easy for you. Below, we've broken down the key considerations for doctors relocating to Australia, whether for permanent positions (with migration support) or locum roles.
Working In Australia
Lets drill down into what it takes for Doctors finding jobs to work in Australia
Doctors living in Australia
Lets drill Down into what it looks like for Doctors seeking employment from overseas aiming for work and live in Australia
1. Doctors Working In Australia - Healthcare System
Understanding Australia's healthcare funding model is crucial for UK doctors considering a move:
A robust public system: Australia's universal healthcare scheme, Medicare, provides comprehensive coverage for essential medical services, including GP visits, hospital stays in public hospitals, and subsidised prescription medications VIA the PBS System. This robust system ensures a high standard of care for all Australians, regardless of their income or background.
Thriving private sector: Alongside Medicare, Australia has a flourishing private healthcare sector. Over half of the population has private health insurance, which they frequently choose to access shorter wait times, a wider selection of specialists and hospitals, and additional services like dental and physiotherapy. The government actively encourages this by offering means-tested rebates on private health insurance premiums.
Opportunities for UK doctors: This mixed public-private system creates a diverse landscape of opportunities for UK doctors. Whether you're interested in contributing to the public system through salaried positions or establishing a private practice, the demand for experienced medical professionals in Australia remains high. The well-funded nature of the system, coupled with the growing private sector, offers a promising career pathway for those looking to make the move.
Additional points to consider for UK doctors:
- Registration requirements: UK doctors must meet specific registration requirements to practice in Australia.
- Salary expectations: Remuneration in Australia can vary depending on specialty, experience, and location.
- Lifestyle benefits: Australia offers a fantastic lifestyle with beautiful landscapes, a warm climate, and a rich cultural scene, making it an attractive destination for many UK doctors.
2. Doctors Working In Australia - Registration
Medical Board Registration times with AHPRA vary based on the type of registration applied for and seniority.
Senior House Officers (SHOs) and Registrars should allow approximately 3-4 months after securing a position, but for Consultants and GPs this can take at least 6-12 months.
The stages are summarised below:
STAGE 1 – AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL COUNCIL
The Australian Medical Council (AMC) is responsible for ensuring the standards of education, training and assessment of the medical profession ensure the health of the Australian community.
They will determine eligibility at this phase and usually decide which level you are applying for as an International Medical Graduate (IMG). It is encouraged that you confirm your eligibility before you apply for work through Blugibbon. To do this follow these steps on the AMC website.
The registration pathways determined by the AMC are below:
01 COMPETENT AUTHORITY PATHWAY
To be eligible you will have:
- A primary degree from the UK, Ireland, US or Canada and currently hold full registration in the country where you received your primary degree or;
- Have completed the equivalent licensing exams (such as PLAB I and II, NZREX, USMLE) and;
- Have completed a full year of supervised practice in UK, Ireland, US, NZ or Canada
02 SPECIALIST PATHWAY
To be eligible you will have:
- Have completed a specialist training program in another country, or are within two years of completing an accredited specialist training program
- You are then eligible to have your qualification assessed by the equivalent Australasian College and they will then determine what (if any) additional requirements they wish you to undertake to gain specialist registration in Australia
03 STANDARD PATHWAY – AMC EXAMINATION (MCQ)
If you do not fall into either of these categories, but you do have a medical degree from a medical school listed in the WHO directory, then you will need to complete AMC examinations which involve an MCQ Exam and a Clinical Examination.
STAGE 3 – AUSTRALIAN HEALTH PRACTITIONER REGULATION AGENCY (AHPRA)
AHPRA provide the final approval for a Doctor to practice in Australia, based on recognition that a Doctor meets all requirements and is deemed competent to perform up to the healthcare standards desired by Australia.
3. Doctors Working In Australia - Immigration🛂
Blugibbon works in partnership with a retained Australian immigration law firm to provide the best advice for our candidates.
The Visa is the final part of the paperwork puzzle and can not be lodged until AHPRA has been approved, but we will guide you at every step of the way.
4. Doctors Working In Australia - Language Requirements🙊
All Doctors have to satisfy the requirements of the Medical Board of Australia.
This means taking an International English Language Testing System (IELTS), essentially an official English test. Doctors can be exempt from sitting an English test if your secondary education was taught in English.
The IELTS measures the language proficiency of people who want to study or work where English is used as a language of communication.
It uses a nine-band scale to clearly identify levels of proficiency, from non-user (band score 1) through to expert (band score 9).
5. Doctors Working In Australia - Impact To Career💼
Senior Medical Officer (SMO) / Specialist
Working in Australia offers an incredible lifestyle for Specialists where they can immerse themselves in the local community and culture. Because Senior Doctors are in high demand, there is also the opportunity to quickly progress your career.
General Practitioner
General Practitioners can enjoy a relaxing lifestyle while working in major cities or smaller communities in Australia. GPs are in high demand all throughout the country, therefore the opportunity for career advancement is high.
Junior Doctor / Registrar
As PGY4+ Doctors are in short supply in Australia there are great opportunities for overseas Doctors to enter training programs and complete their training here.
6. Doctors Working In Australia - Lifestyle🧘🏼♀️
Australia has a unique blend of native cultural traditions coupled with newer influences from cultures across the globe. In fact, over 25% of Australia’s population of 23 million were born overseas.
This mix of personalities and cultures has unified its people under a shared love of country.
This rich cultural diversity is represented in Australia’s vibrant art scene and of course, it has a notoriously passionate sporting population.
Even if you live in the city, you and your family can achieve a fantastic lifestyle.
8. Doctors Working In Australia -
Salary💰
In the public sector, Doctor salaries vary from state to state and are based on fixed Government award rates.
Approx. Basic Salary ($AUD)
- Junior Doctor / SHO = $ 60,000-$110,000
- Registrars $ 110,000 to $ 220,000
- General Practitioner = $ 150,000-$ 350,000
- Consultant / Specialist = $ 230,000-$ 400,000 +
Tax Rates 2021/2022
- $ 0-$ 18,200 = 0%
- $ 18,201-$ 45,000 = 19%
- $ 45,001-$ 120,000 = $ 3572 + 32.5%
- $ 120,001-$ 180,000 = $ 17,547 + 37%
- $ 180,001+ = $ 54,545 + 45%
*https://www.ato.gov.au/rates/individual-income-tax-rates/
Additional Salary Benefits
In addition to competitive salaries, permanent Doctors working in Australia are entitled to:
- Up to 5 weeks paid annual leave per year
- Up to 10 days paid sick leave per year
- Superannuation to the value of 9.5% of total salary
Specialists are also likely to receive a yearly CME allowance as well as travel and accommodation allowances.
9. Doctors Working In Australia - Education📚
Doctors working in Australia benefit from a strong focus on hospital-based education and Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Many IMGs start in supervised hospital roles, gaining practical experience and receiving mentorship from senior clinicians.
Hospitals in Australia often run structured education programs, including clinical training sessions, grand rounds, and workshops tailored to enhance skills and adapt to the local healthcare environment. CPD is a cornerstone of Australian medical practice, with IMGs required to participate in ongoing learning activities to maintain their registration. These include attending seminars, completing online courses, and engaging in reflective practice, ensuring they remain current with medical advancements and maintain high standards of patient care.
10. Doctors Working In Australia - Transferring UK Pension 🇬🇧
If you are thinking of making the move to explore Doctor jobs in Australia you may wish to consider transferring your UK pension.
Recent changes to regulations make the process a lot easier to transfer a pension than it used to be.
When looking to work as a Doctor in Australia with a healthcare locum agency, we hope the above information has been useful.
Contact us on 02 8960 6445 or send an email to hello@blugibbon.com set up a time to chat informally.
We cannot wait to see you in Australia!
Our Overseas Recruitment and Migration Team
Freya Owen
Candidate Manager | UK Office
Kimberly Wild
Recruiter - GP PERMANENT
Shannon O'Callaghan
Recruiter - Permanent Doctors
Hospital Team Leader UK
We have much to gain from those who know how to live gently on this earth. The Blugibbon team operates on the lands of the Gadigal people. We hold deep respect for their bond with the land and their natural culture of sustainability, which we aim to adopt and practice. We honour their traditions and show respect to their elders past, present and future. Together, let's work towards healing this beautiful planet.
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