Specialists

Specialists are employed primarily in hospitals and private practice. They may work in private practice on their own, in partnership with another specialist, or in a group practice.

Specialists who work in public hospitals are paid a salary by the government. They may also have the right to private practice, which allows them to treat private patients as part of their own practice.

An overseas trained specialist wishing to work in private practice must first obtain medical registration in their specialty, and then a Medicare Provider Number to allow delivery of services attracting a Medicare benefit. Patients will expect to be able to access Medicare benefits.

In most cases, specialists treat patients who have been referred to them by another doctor, usually a general practitioner (GP/family physician). Referral by another doctor is one of the requirements for specialists services to attract Medicare benefits at a specialist’s rate.

Overseas trained specialists who have achieved recognition of equivalency of their specialist qualifications by an Australian Specialist Medical College may wish to pursue Fellowship with a Specialist Medical College. More information about the requirements for Fellowship can be obtained from the Specialist Medical Colleges.

Medical registration and employment

Information on how an overseas trained specialist may gain registration to practise in Australia can be found under Assessment pathways for specialists.

There are many sources of employment for specialists and checking the Finding a job section for some ideas would be an excellent start.