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International GPs & IMGs

International GPs & IMGs → Australia

Explore your pathway to working as a doctor in Australia. Understand registration, jobs, visas and the practical steps involved in making the move.

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Australian landscape

Your pathway will depend on your circumstances.

There isn't a single pathway for every internationally trained doctor. Your qualifications, experience, specialty, current registration and intended role can all affect the route you take.

1

Where are you starting from?

Your country of training, qualifications and current registration all matter when understanding your options.

2

What type of doctor are you?

GPs, specialists, hospital doctors and doctors at different career stages may have different requirements.

3

Which pathway applies?

Your registration pathway, intended role and location all help determine what you need to do next.

Your pathway to working in Australia.

There are several parts to the move. Understanding how they fit together can make the process much easier to navigate.

1

Understand medical registration

Explore AHPRA and Medical Board requirements and understand which registration pathway may apply to your circumstances.

Registration
2

Find the right Australian role

Consider your specialty, experience, preferred setting and the kind of career and lifestyle you want alongside medicine.

Browse jobs
3

Understand your visa options

Your right to work will depend on your circumstances and the visa pathway available to you.

Visas
4

Choose where you want to live

Australia offers metropolitan, regional, rural and remote opportunities, each with a different professional and lifestyle experience.

Locations
5

Plan the move

Accommodation, banking, tax, superannuation, driving, schools and the practicalities of relocating all need consideration.

Moving guide

Explore your Australian registration pathway.

The right route depends on your primary medical qualification, postgraduate training, assessment history and whether you are seeking general or specialist registration. Explore these options and check the official guidance before deciding which pathway applies to you.
For general registration

AMC Standard Pathway

For eligible international medical graduates who are seeking general registration and are not eligible for the Competent Authority or a specialist pathway.

The Standard Pathway is assessed through the Australian Medical Council (AMC). Applicants generally need an eligible primary medical qualification and must complete the required AMC assessment process.

What to know

  • Establish an AMC account and portfolio and arrange primary-source verification of your qualification.
  • Pass the AMC CAT MCQ examination.
  • Pass the AMC Clinical Examination or complete an eligible AMC-accredited workplace-based assessment (WBA) program.
  • An AMC Certificate supports an application for registration; it does not itself grant registration.

Next step: Check the AMC's current eligibility requirements and assessment options.

Talk to DocHop Official AMC guidance
For eligible IMGs

Competent Authority Pathway

For international medical graduates who have completed the required assessment and practice in a Medical Board-approved competent authority country.

The Competent Authority Pathway can lead to general registration for eligible international medical graduates, including doctors who have met the relevant UK General Medical Council criteria. Eligibility depends on the prescribed qualification or assessment and experience requirements.

What to know

  • Eligibility is based on defined categories and individual training, assessment and experience.
  • Eligible applicants do not need to sit the AMC examinations for this pathway.
  • Applicants normally first obtain provisional registration and complete 12 months of approved supervised practice before applying for general registration.
  • Other requirements, including position approval, supervision, English language and recency of practice, may apply.

Next step: Review the Medical Board's eligibility criteria and pathway process.

Talk to DocHop Official pathway guidance
For internationally qualified specialists

Specialist Pathway

For doctors who hold an overseas specialist medical qualification and are seeking assessment for specialist registration in Australia.

Under the Specialist Pathway, the relevant Australian specialist medical college assesses an applicant's qualifications, training and experience against Australian specialist standards.

What to know

  • The relevant specialist college determines whether an applicant is substantially comparable, partially comparable or not comparable.
  • Applicants assessed as comparable may need to complete college requirements, supervised practice and/or workplace-based assessments.
  • The requirements and timeframes vary by specialty and assessment outcome.
  • This is distinct from the Expedited Specialist Pathway, which applies only where the specialist qualification is on the Medical Board's accepted qualifications list.

Next step: Identify the relevant specialist college and review its current assessment process.

Discuss specialist roles Official Medical Board guidance
For overseas-trained GP specialists

RACGP PEP Specialist Pathway

For eligible specialist international medical graduates with a recognised overseas general practice specialist qualification.

The RACGP Practice Experience Program Specialist (PEP SP) supports eligible overseas-trained GP specialists working towards Fellowship of the RACGP and specialist GP registration. The RACGP first assesses comparability with an Australian-trained specialist GP.

What to know

  • The assessment outcome determines whether the applicant is eligible and which stream applies.
  • The program has Substantially Comparable and Partially Comparable streams, with different requirements.
  • Participants undertake a minimum period of supervised work in comprehensive Australian general practice, targeted education and the assessments required for their stream.
  • Eligibility and program requirements are determined by the RACGP and may change.

Next step: Review the RACGP's current PEP Specialist information and comparability assessment requirements.

Talk to DocHop Official RACGP guidance

Not sure which pathway applies to you?

Tell DocHop about your qualifications, experience and career plans. We can help you explore relevant opportunities and identify the official pathway guidance to review. Registration decisions are made by the relevant Australian authorities and colleges.

Healthcare professionals

Submit your Expression of Interest.

Tell us about your background and what you are looking for in Australia.

Your information will be handled securely and used for recruitment and candidate-matching purposes. Please see our Registration and Recruitment Ts & Cs below for full details.

Are you an international GP?

General practice is an important part of Australian healthcare, with opportunities across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities.

For internationally trained GPs, understanding the relevant assessment and registration requirements is essential. Your training background, experience and professional history can all be relevant when determining your pathway.

Explore GP Opportunities
Australian landscape

Where could you work?

Metropolitan practice
Close to major cities and larger professional networks.

Regional community
A balance between professional opportunity and lifestyle, often with a strong connection to the local community.

Rural or remote practice
A broader clinical role, a very different way of life and the chance to become an important part of a smaller community.

Explore the practical guides.

As you plan your move, these are some of the key areas you'll want to understand.

Medical Registration

Understand AHPRA, the Medical Board and registration pathways for internationally trained doctors.

Read the guide

Australian Visas

Explore the visa considerations when moving to Australia.

Read the guide

Working in Australian Healthcare

Understand the Australian healthcare system and what working life can look like.

Read the guide

Doctor Salaries

Understand what can affect Australian doctor salaries and employment packages.

Read the guide

Moving to Australia

Practical advice on housing, banking, schools, driving and settling in.

Read the guide

Australian Locations

Compare states, cities, regional centres and rural communities.

Read the guide

Hospital doctors and specialists.

Internationally trained hospital doctors and specialists can find opportunities across Australia's public and private healthcare systems.

Your pathway will depend on your specialty, qualifications and experience, alongside the requirements of the relevant Australian medical college and Medical Board registration.

For some doctors, the attraction may be continuing an established specialist career. For others, Australia may offer an opportunity to experience a different healthcare environment or work in a new setting.

Explore Hospital Opportunities
Australian landscape

The right role is about more than salary

Think about your specialty, location, working hours, on-call commitments, career progression, employer support and the lifestyle you want alongside your clinical work.

At DocHop, we take the time to understand what you're looking for before introducing you to an opportunity.

Opportunities

Current International GP & IMG Vacancies in Australia.

Explore current opportunities managed through DocHop.

View all jobs
General Practitioner, Doctor-Owned Start-Up Practice
Tasmania General Practice Rural

General Practitioner, Doctor-Owned Start-Up Practice

Earning potential Excellent
Bulk Billing 70% DPA: Yes MM5 Visa: Supported

Flexible · Flexible

View opportunity
Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (NP), Doctor-Owned Start-Up Practice
Tasmania Nursing Rural

Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (NP), Doctor-Owned Start-Up Practice

Earning potential Negotiable
Visa: Supported

Flexible · Flexible

View opportunity

Frequently asked questions.

Can an international doctor work in Australia?

Yes. Internationally trained doctors can apply for Australian medical registration, provided they meet the relevant requirements of the Medical Board of Australia.

Do all IMGs follow the same registration pathway?

No. The appropriate pathway depends on factors including your qualifications, country of training, experience, specialty and circumstances.

Do international doctors need to pass exams?

This depends on the registration pathway that applies to you. Some doctors may need to undertake examinations or other assessments.

Can internationally trained GPs work in Australia?

Yes, but the registration and assessment requirements depend on your individual circumstances and training background.

Can I bring my family?

Depending on your visa, your partner and eligible family members may be able to accompany you. It is worth considering family arrangements early in the process.

Are there opportunities outside Sydney and Melbourne?

Absolutely. Doctors are needed across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australia, and these settings can offer very different professional and lifestyle experiences.

Your Australian career could start here

Not sure which IMG pathway applies to you? Tell us a little about your medical background, where you're currently working and what you're hoping to find in Australia. We'll help you work out where to start.

Talk to DocHopSubmit Your CV