Expedited Path
GP Relocation to Australia from UK, Ireland and NZ
Finding the Right Job
The Medical Board of Australia now acknowledges the comparability of specialist family medicine qualifications in Ireland, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
This allows eligible doctors to join an Australian practice via the Expedited Pathway in a matter of months.
Get in touch today to find out more about how Doctor Connect can help you with your expedited pathway to Australia.
Suitable Practice Locations
Australia has a shortage of General Practitioners. For many years, this shortage has been most significant in outer metropolitan and rural areas and there is a concerted effort to improve this situation. The shortage in metro areas is projected to grow in the coming years towards 2030, so moving your career to Australia now is a great strategy.
For doctors who studied for their medical degree outside Australia, known as Overseas Trained Doctors (OTD) or International Medical Graduates (IMGs)’ government workforce rules govern the location where you can work. This is to encourage you to work in areas with a shortage of General Practitioners. These areas include outer metro, regional cities and rural towns where there are great opportunities for you and your family to have an excellent lifestyle.
Doctors with a Substantially Comparable qualification are required to work in a location that’s called a Distribution Priority Area (DPA) while you are restricted by your 10-year moratorium. If your qualification is Partially Comparable, you are required to work in a regional practice for your first job in Australia, as defined by MM2+ locations.
GPs can work in some great rural towns and thereby reduce the 10-year moratorium down to 6, 5, or 4 years. These GPs are then unrestricted and able to choose where they want to work and live.
There are multiple layers of financial benefits to working in rural areas:
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In rural areas with a shortage of GPs, your rate per consult will be higher and you will be fully booked in advance.
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Additionally, the government pays an automatic annual additional amount to GPs working in MM3+ locations.
Immigration for GPs
Most GPs will commence on a 482- Skills in Demand visa with full work rights and a medium-term stream (2-4 years), which requires sponsorship from an Australian medical practice. Your spouse and dependent children can join you and work on the same visa.
Some GPs can start on the 186DE Permanent Residency, but this depends on the practice and is less common than the faster 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa.
In Australia, as a General Practitioner, you will be welcomed and encouraged to become a Permanent Resident. The practice and practice owners, as well as the RACGP, will be supportive of you completing the exams and becoming a permanent resident. This is the normal practice.
General Practitioner Earnings in Australia
From your first day of work, you’ll earn the full A1, Medicare rebate, which means you will be paid the same for each consultation as other Fellowed Specialist General Practitioners.
GPs working in Australian General Practices are not paid as a salaried employee. You’ll work as a contractor and rely on billings generated through the fee-for-service model. When you meet with the practice representative, they will discuss the demographics, patient flow and possible incomes in that location for a doctor of your profile.
As an experienced Specialist GP, you will realise that this system encourages you to provide high standards of care, develop excellent relationships with your patients, and work smarter, not harder. This will enable you to have an excellent income and to achieve a healthy work-life balance.
Costs of Medical Registration for Doctors on the Expedited Pathway
There are costs associated with the move to Australia. While some practices can help financially by giving a sign-on or relocation bonus to cover these costs, not all independent practices have the budget for this.
Processing Times For Expedited Pathway
At Doctor Connect, we understand that working closely with the doctor and practice is crucial to ensure the entire registration process is completed as quickly as possible.
Current processing times are around 12 weeks although this changes regularly.
Sometimes things just move faster, or slower, depending on timing- high application volumes or public holidays can cause delays. Having all your documents ready from the start can make a big difference. It’s always helpful to plan your next step and work closely with our team to provide the right information and respond to queries promptly. This ensures each stage, and the overall process, moves as quickly as possible.
Generally, doctors plan to arrive about a week before the expected end of the Medicare Provider Number Application Process. This allows them to spend 1 – 2 weeks settling in. There will be orientation, connecting with RACGP and their supervisor, meeting colleagues, learning the IT system, shadowing, and getting ready.
Registration Costs Of Expedited Pathway
Body | Purpose | Fees | Timeline / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
EPIC | Establish EPIC Portfolio | US $130 | ECFMG reviews within ~10 business days. If accepted, credentials are added to your EPIC Portfolio. You must then request a verification report and have a copy sent to the AMC. |
EPIC | Add credentials to EPIC Portfolio | US $100 per credential | — |
EPIC | Send a report verifying the authenticity of a credential | Submitted before 10/01/2018 – US $15 for first report, US $50 for subsequent reports | — |
AMC | Establish an AMC portfolio (including 1 qualification) | AU $642 | 3–5 working days. AMC candidate number confirmed by email after processing. |
AMC | Additional qualifications | AU $107 | — |
Expedited Pathway | — | AU $2,575 | |
Visa Application Fees | Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa | AU $3,035 for main applicant and each dependant over 18
AU $760 for each dependant under 18 | All partner practices can offer Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) and Permanent Residency pathways. More info |
Immigration Agent Fees(optional) | Immigration expert assistance | AU $2,500 visa application fee
AU $300 additional applicant fee | We cannot give immigration advice but can connect you with experienced immigration lawyers for GPs. Estimates only |
Moving forward
We would be happy to speak with you about your individual needs and those of your family.
We look forward to the opportunity to work with you on this journey and to welcome and support you when you arrive in Australia.
We’d love to work with you
Whether you’re a doctor looking for your next opportunity, or a practice searching for the right GP, we’re here to help.