Employers

An employer who is sponsoring an overseas trained doctor (OTD) to come to Australia, whether as a temporary or permanent resident, has certain responsibilities.

As a general rule, employers must ensure that:

• the position for which the OTD is being sponsored is in an unmet Area of Need in which the employer has been unable to find an Australian doctor to fill the role;
• that doctor must be suitable for the position and able to obtain registration to practise medicine in Australia;
• employment and remuneration must be in accordance with Australian industrial laws;
• there is, or will be, an employment contract or letter of appointment covering the position;
• responsibilities and expectations about the position and other requirements are clearly understood by both employer and OTD.

An employer must first apply to become a sponsor or, if a suitable candidate has already been recruited, must lodge a nomination of the intended 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.