Australia is a welcoming, diverse and inclusive nation with so much to offer.
There is accommodation to suit all tastes and access to a range of amenities, leisure facilities and transport options, especially in urban and regional areas. Education needs are well served with public and private schools, before and after school care, and childcare for pre-schoolers. The quality of life is exceptional.
The unique healthcare system is both publicly and privately funded and delivered. All Australians are covered by Medicare, the universal, national health insurance scheme, which offers a range of medical services for free or at a reduced cost.
For medical professionals, the opportunities are many and varied, whatever your level of seniority and area of specialisation. One month you may be based in a private clinic in an Australian outback town, the next in a city hospital on the Victorian coast. With generous remuneration packages available, including leave loading and superannuation, Australia really is a great place to live and work.
Most of our positions are filled by medical professionals who have trained and worked in Australia; however, we always welcome applications from internationally-qualified professionals to respond to shortages in certain specialisations and areas.
If you trained and qualified as a medical professional overseas and are interested in working in Australia, please read on for more information.
Do you qualify?
You will need a primary qualification in medicine and surgery from a medical school that is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and recognised by the Australian Medical Council.
If you intend to work in Australia as a specialist, you will also need the relevant post-graduate qualification(s) to practise as a specialist in your country.
English-language requirements
In most cases, you will also need to provide proof of proficiency in English. You are exempt from this requirement if you have completed your secondary and tertiary education in one of the following English-speaking countries: Australia, New Zealand, UK, Republic of Ireland, USA, Canada and South Africa.
Most international medical professionals opt for an IELTS assessment, although alternatives, such as OET, are also available.
The registration process
You will need to apply for registration via one of three pathways:
Competent Authority
Standard
Specialist
These pathways are listed and detailed on the Medical Board of Australia website, but your Charterhouse consultant can help you determine which one you are eligible for.
Your consultant will also help you to secure a job offer. If you are applying for registration via the Specialist pathway, we will assist you with your submission to the relevant specialist medical college. We can also provide assistance with your application for registration with APHRA, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Visa requirements
All international medical professionals need to have a visa to live and work in Australia. Your Charterhouse consultant will be able to assist you with the application process.
You will be able to lodge your visa application once you have submitted your application for registration to APHRA; however, your visa application can only be finalised once you have received your medical registration from APHRA.
Disclaimer: Please note that the above is provided for information purposes only and is based on the current requirements for international medical professionals. Individual cases may vary and the process is subject to change at any time.
