Postgraduate trainees

A postgraduate or occupational trainee position must be designed specifically to add to or enhance the overseas trained doctor’s (OTD’s) level of skill in their present occupation or area of expertise. These positions are only for doctors seeking to upgrade their skills for use on return to their home or another country on completion of training and are not intended for doctors seeking work in Australia. These training programs are workplace-based and are available in some Australian hospitals.

Entry to Australia to take up one of these training positions should be on a special occupational trainee visa.

The main requirements for postgraduate or occupational trainee visa approval is that:

• The position is a genuine approved postgraduate or occupational trainee position;
• The organisation who will be providing the training (i.e. the hospital) formally nominates you for the position;
• You pass the required health checks (including HIV and hepatitis B tests);
• You meet the character requirements;
• Evidence of adequate health insurance arrangements for the duration of your stay in Australia must be provided.

As applicants must meet a number of requirements for entry to Australia for postgraduate or occupational training, you are advised not to make travel arrangements until your visa application has been approved. You can find more about the specific immigration requirements and application process from the website of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

The training provider (the hospital) will be able to provide you with more detailed information on applying for these positions.