Visas & Immigration

Working in Australia as a doctor

General practitioners can apply for a visa to work in Australia if they have obtained their primary medical qualification in a country other than Australia or gained their medical qualifications in Australia and are not an Australian permanent resident.

Doctors who wish to practise in Australia must first be registered with the Medical Board in the State or Territory where they intend to practice.

Helpful Checklist - Am I eligible?

Typically, an overseas trained doctor (OTD) wishing to work in Australia needs to meet these basic requirements (Gemini Medical will assist with this process):

• Satisfy English Language proficiency requirements.
• Identify an appropriate job (Most OTDs will initially have to work in an Area of Need position).
• Apply to the relevant State/Territory Medical Board for medical registration.
• Apply for a visa and pass required character/police and medical checks.
• Obtain medical indemnity cover in Australia.

Visa Options for Doctors

Doctors can apply for either a temporary or permanent visa.  Gemini Medical will assist with and follow up on visa applications.

For immigration purposes, doctors seeking permanent residency 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.

Please note: The Australian State and Territory Medical Boards are responsible for the registration of all medical practitioners. The decision to grant medical registration is entirely up to the relevant State and Territory Medical Board.

Temporary Visa

Doctors who do not yet hold full medical registration in Australia can be employed and sponsored as a temporary resident while they are in the process of meeting the requirements to obtain full medical registration.

Permanent Visa

There are several different permanent visas available for doctors who have full medical registration in Australia. Please ask us for more information regarding the visas types available.

After the visa is granted, doctors must apply to the Health Insurance Commission for a Medicare Provider Number if they will be working in general practice or will be prescribing drugs.