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A doctor who holds AHPRA general registration and is on an eligible temporary visa can apply for a Medicare provider number and work in a GP practice without being enrolled in any of those programs. This route operates under a distinct legal mechanism — a section 19AB pathway exemption — rather than the section 3GA “approved placement” pathway used by the training programs.

If you are an international doctor preparing to move to Australia, you may recently have heard the term Ministerial Direction 119. It came into effect on 25 July 2026 and has already begun influencing how certain skilled visa applications are handled.

Once AHPRA decides to grant registration (limited, provisional or specialist), the registration must commence within 90 days of that decision date. This is not an administrative preference; it is a requirement of the National Law.

Moving from a regional or rural placement to a metropolitan area is one of the most significant decisions a GP will make after Fellowship. For many newly fellowed FRACGPs and international medical graduates, the appeal of city life — better family opportunities, greater anonymity, stronger collegiate support and lifestyle amenities — is strong.

This FAQ addresses the most common concerns doctors raise in their first days and weeks on the ground. Clear answers can significantly reduce stress and help you move from landing to consulting more smoothly.

In our previous guide, Navigating Your Medical Practice Setup: A Complete Guide to PRODA for Newly Arrived GPs in Australia, we outlined the standard online registration process using three identity documents. For many overseas-trained doctors, the ideal combination includes a foreign passport with activated Australian visa, an Australian driver’s licence, and a Medicare card. But what happens if you have just landed and do not yet have a Medicare card or an Australian drive

Income is important. After years of training, exams and often significant personal sacrifice, every GP wants fair remuneration. Yet when doctors look back on the roles that brought them the greatest professional fulfilment — and the ones they left — the percentage split or base salary is rarely the deciding factor.

Arriving in Australia to begin work as a General Practitioner is exciting — and intense. Between visa activation, identity documents, PRODA setup, practice orientation and family logistics, the first month can feel overwhelming. The good news is that with a clear sequence and the right support, most doctors move from landing to seeing patients efficiently and confidently.

or many newly fellowed FRACGPs and international medical graduates, the choice of where to practise is as much about lifestyle as it is about clinical opportunity. In 2026, Western Australia — and Perth in particular — continues to stand out as one of the most compelling destinations in the country.

Australia’s general practice sector has recorded another strong rise in bulk billing, with the national rate reaching 84.1% for the June 2026 quarter. This is almost 4–5 percentage points higher than the same quarter last year and continues the upward trend that began after the federal government’s expanded bulk billing incentives took effect from November 2025.

One of the first questions many new FRACGPs ask when reviewing a job offer is: “What percentage do they offer?” It’s completely understandable. After years of training on a registrar salary, seeing a number like 70%, 75%, or even 80% of billings feels concrete and exciting. It seems like a direct measure of how much you’ll earn.

You’ve just finished your final RACGP exams. The relief is real — but so is the uncertainty. While you wait for results (usually released mid-to-late July), job opportunities are coming in. Many candidates ask the same important question: “Can I accept a job offer or sign a contract before I officially get my results?” The short answer is: Yes — but it must be a conditional offer. Here’s what that actually means in practice and how to approach it wisely.

Dr. Raj had trained and practised as a GP in th eUK, one of the countries whose specialist qualification appears on AHPRA’s accepted list. He knew the AHPRA Expedited Specialist Pathway could mean specialist registration in Australia much faster than traditional routes — but he still needed to complete the online application smoothly.

For overseas-trained specialist General Practitioners (GPs), Australia offers excellent opportunities to practise at the highest level. However, navigating the visa and permanent residency (PR) landscape can feel complex—especially when combined with RACGP assessment pathways, AHPRA registration, and Medicare provider number requirements.

For many doctors considering a move to Australia — especially those on the PEP Specialist Pathway — the first question that often comes up is: “What’s the sign-on bonus or relocation allowance?”

Imagine stepping off a plane in Australia, heart racing with excitement and a touch of nerves. You’ve trained as a GP overseas, built years of experience helping patients in your home country, and now you’re ready to bring that care to Australian communities. For Dr. Anita, a dedicated general practitioner from overseas with a recognised specialist qualification, that moment arrived in early 2026. Like many international medical graduates (IMGs), she knew the path to practisi

The CCE is different from the written exams. It’s a practical, high-pressure assessment that tests how you actually practise medicine — your communication, clinical reasoning, patient safety, and professionalism under time constraints. Many capable registrars underperform not because of a lack of knowledge, but because of poor preparation strategy or exam-day execution. Here are the most effective, battle-tested tips to help you perform at your best.

Guiding an International Medical Graduate (IMG) through the RACGP Practice Experience Program Specialist Pathway (PEP SP) is one of the most rewarding roles a GP Fellow can take on. You get to shape the next generation of Australian GPs while contributing to better access to care in areas that need it most.

Many GPs who began their Australian careers in regional or rural areas (MM2–7) eventually consider moving to a major city (MM1). The appeal is understandable — better access to specialist services, more career opportunities for partners, quality schooling options, and greater lifestyle variety.

Congratulations — you’ve completed your RACGP Fellowship exams. This is a massive milestone that officially marks the end of your training journey and the beginning of independent practice as a Fellowed GP. However, passing the exams is only the first step. To actually consult independently, bill Medicare, and practise at your full scope, you need to complete a clear sequence of administrative steps to upgrade your registration and secure Medicare access.