Work as a Doctor in Australia
Important advice
- Even if you have found a suitable medical position in Australia for which an employer has indicated your suitability and offered it to you, do NOT sell your house or quit your existing job overseas until you have confirmation from the appropriate authorities that you will be receiving appropriate medical registration for the position and an appropriate visa.
- If you will need a Medicare Provider Number for the position, make sure that you are able to obtain one (your employer can assist you with this).
- When considering the move to Australia, make sure that you take into account ALL costs associated with moving to, working and living in Australia. These costs include things such as medical registration costs, specialist recognition fees, application fees, interview fees, costs of travel and moving, school fees for your children (in some States and Territories an OTD may have to pay substantial school fees even in public schools) and health insurance (OTDs are not eligible for healthcare benefits).
- Once you have gained medical registration in Australia, you should be aware that most recognition and registration processes need to be renewed (often each year). In many cases, these renewals must be initiated by the doctor. Reminders to renew are seldom sent. The onus is on the doctor to take action in a timely way. If you forget, you may be required to undergo the entire process of registration/recognition again. Renewals of some things, such as District of Workforce Shortage or Medicare provider numbers are not assured, although it is unlikely that renewal would be refused.
Examples of common renewals required for doctors practising in Australia are medical registration (annually), Medicare Provider Numbers (annually), and Specialist recognition (requires annual fee to remain registered as a recognised specialist).
- If you are a temporary resident who receives notification from a Specialist Medical College that you have been recognised for the purpose of providing services that can attract Medicare benefits, be aware that the College will NOT notify Medicare Australia. You must notify Medicare Australia of this fact and apply to them for a Medicare Provider Number. However, if you are a permanent resident, the Colleges automatically notify Medicare Australia.
- If you will be accompanied to Australia by a partner/spouse who is also a doctor and wishes to work in Australia, make sure that you both apply for registration and visas at the same time. Once you are in Australia, it is much more difficult for a spouse to subsequently become registered to practise because of the requirement for unbroken employment as a doctor between application and registration in Australia.
Equally, should they wish to work in another form of employment, make sure that you have check this with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship first to ensure that your family members are able to do so, or can apply for separate visas, if necessary.
Last updated 31/10/2007