Australia
Australia is known as the "lucky country" for many reasons. Lifestyle, environment, careers and training. Hospitals are innovative, Consultants approachable and the salaries and hours allow doctors to have an enjoyable way of life.
Medical Registration
As each State/Territory (there are 5 States and 2 Territories) has a separate Medical Board, below is a brief outline on how to obtain registration. All junior doctors require an offer of employment to commence registration unless you sit the AMC exams. Consultants/Specialists can apply to have their post-graduate qualifications recognised prior to having an offer of employment.
Antipodean Medical Recruitment will assist you with the requirements of gaining registration once a position is confirmed.
House Officers / Registrars (Junior Doctors)
The Australian year commences in January for House Officers and Registrars, however, hospitals may have positions open at any time of the year.
Recently there have been changes to the way International Medical Graduates obtain registration in Australia.
Doctors who have completed specified training and assessment through approved overseas competent authorities are eligible to apply for advanced standing towards the AMC Certificate. A person granted advanced standing is not required to sit the AMC MCQ or clinical examinations, but must undertake a workplace based assessment whilst working under supervision.
Currently medical graduates from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada are considered competent. Also those doctors who have sat the PLAB, USMLE and NZREX with suitable experience will be considered. Assessment of applications takes approximately 4 - 6 weeks.
If you are an International Medical Graduate who has not completed training and assessment from a competent authority, you will need to sit the AMC MCQ.
The AMC MCQ can be sat in Australia or overseas. Please refer to the AMC website for dates, application form and fees - www.amc.org.au
Specialist / Consultants
Overseas trained Specialist/Consultants can apply for registration through the following categories:-
a) Specialist applying for assessment for comparability - the relevant College assesses qualifications and experience (you do not need a job offer for this pathway);
b) Specialist applying for an area of need - Specialist College pathway assessed against position description (will be combined iwth an assessment of comparability to the standard of an Australian trained specilaist in that specialty).
In the Competent Pathway those applicants who hold qualifications from certain countries with similar health systems, training and registration bodies can be granted advanced standing towards the AMC certificate. This allows the applicant to undertake a period of practice under peer review or oversight prior to gaining full registraiton.
Given that most Colleges require such a period of practice prior to confirming substantial comparability and allowing admission to fellowship, there is broad agreement to grant certain International Medical Graduates "advanced standing towards substantial comparability" on the basis of inital assessment (possibly including an interview). No further examination is required before registration or fellowship. A period of practice under oversight or peer review for up to 12 moths may be required by some Colleges, determined on a case-by-case basis.
All Doctors
All Doctors (including UK, Canadian and Irish medical graduates and Consultants) have the following requirements to satisfy:
a) English language proficiency (Australian English language requirements)
b) Primary source verification of qualifications (Australian Medical Council EICS verification of your primary medical degree)
c) Assessment against a position description (excluding those who are not applying for a specific positon);
d) A period of practice under supervision (unless otherwise determined by the relevant College);
e) Orientation relevant to qualifications and position to be occupied, linked to supervision requriements;
f) Access to contiuning professional development.
Also, the State Medical Board may require:-
Once a position is confirmed, Antipodean Medical Recruitment will assist you with all the processes required to ensure your registration application is completed in a timely and stress free manner. For more information please register.
Work Visas
Work visas are generally pretty straight forward. Visa applications can be completed on-line, which speeds up the process. The hospital will start the visa application and then forward a password for you to complete your section. All doctors working in Australia for 12 months or more are required to complete medicals through an approved Australian Immigration medical practitioner.
The process can take approximately 4 weeks to finalise..
Once a position is confirmed, Antipodean Medical Recruitment will assist you with all the processes required to ensure your work visa application is completed in a timely and stress free manner.
For more information, please register now.
Australian Hospitals
Australian hospitals and training are modeled on the UK and US health systems. They are innovative and are leaders when it comes to research. The Hospitals are very well equipped with modern equipment, technology and facilities. This includes direct phone, email and computer links from regional hospitals to base hospitals.
Hospital staff are known for being friendly, personal and very professional creating an informal and friendly environment. Consultants are approachable and want to guide junior doctors along in their career.
Medicare, Australia’s government funded provider, offers free medical assistance for Australian citizens (and those citizens of countries with reciprocal agreements) through Public Hospitals throughout Australia.
Salaries can vary between States, and each State government sets the rate of pay, based on a 38 hour week. Unless specified, doctors who work more than 38 hours per week are paid penalty rates. If you are rostered on nights, weekends or public holidays you are also paid penalty rate for these.
Doctors in all States are able to salary sacrifice a portion of their pay, which minimises your tax. Depending on the hospital, 30% of your income can be tax-free. On arrival to Australia, we highly recommend you discuss this option with the Hospital’s finance department or an accountant.
Below is a quick indication on what doctors may earn as a base salary:-
- Resident / House Officer – $60,000 - $80,000
- Registrar - $65,000 - $100,000
- Consultant - $120,000 - $250,000
On top of your salary, most hospitals offer the following:-
- Annual Leave – up to 5 weeks paid leave per year
- Superannuation – this is a government requirement and it is paid in additional to your salary. Doctors returning to their own countries are able to apply for their superannuation contributions to be released when they leave Australia – it is on the back of the customs form.
- Meals and Accommodation – these may be provided free or subsidized.
When judged against working in other countries, Australia has come out favourably when comparing lifestyle and work commitments.
For more information, please register now.
Lifestyle activities
Australia offers you the opportunities to pursue your interests but also to try something new. Physical activities and culture are covered here! Below are some links for you to explore and to plan activities for your stay:-
For more information, please register now.
Specialist recruiters of doctors for Australia and New Zealand
New Zealand Tollfree: 0800 633 000
Australian Tollfree: 1800 070 339
Phone: +64 3 328 9979
Fax: +64 3 328 9985
