Immigration and visas

An employer must first apply to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to become a sponsor or, if a suitable candidate has already been recruited, lodge a nomination of the intended overseas trained doctor (OTD) for the position before or at the same time that the OTD makes a visa application. The employer must pay the nomination fee at the time of application and consider the duration of sponsorship.

If the OTD is not already registered, you must instruct them to apply to the Medical Board in your State or Territory for registration to practise in Australia.

If the OTD is already in Australia and working under conditional registration for another employer, they must obtain permission from the relevant Medical Board to change positions and, if on a temporary visa, obtain new visa before they begin to work for you.

The employer of an OTD under a temporary visa is required to sign a sponsorship undertaking, in which you agree to pay the doctor an adequate remuneration, in accordance with any relevant awards and industry-wide accepted employment conditions. The sponsor must also accept responsibility for:

• all financial obligations to the Commonwealth incurred by the doctor or their dependants during their stay in Australia, and
• compliance by the doctor with all relevant legislation and awards, and with their visa conditions.

It is the responsibility of the employer (the sponsor) to be aware of the expiry date of any Area of Need approval and District of Workforce Shortage approval and to initiate the renewal of these approvals.

For further information about employer sponsorship issues, please visit the DIAC website.