​For Doctors

Preceeding Stage – Business Sponsorship Application

​The practice applies to the Department of Home Affairs. When submitting this application, the employer registers as a business sponsor. The application is valid for 5 years and is the employer’s responsibility and at their cost.

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Stage 1 Nomination Application

This is specific to each GP and their family and is the employer’s responsibility and at their cost. This stage includes running suitable job advertisements for labour market testing, and a signed contract. The practice then submits the details of the person and their family to the Department of Home Affairs, and they are then issued with a sponsorship Transaction Reference Number TRN for that GP.

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Stage 2 Visa Application and Visa Medicals

Using the AHPRA registration, the GP will prove they have the skills and experience required. A Transaction Reference Number (TRN) is needed to lodge this application. GPs must meet the medical and character requirements to be granted a visa, a police check and a visa medical. Visa Medicals can be conducted when a HAP-ID number has been issued. The HAP-ID is in the Referral Letter downloaded from the ImmiAccount during application. Create an ImmiAccount and access Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) on the Department of Home Affairs website, in the Immi Account section. This will generate a Transaction Reference Number (TRN) from the ImmiAccount which is needed to book a Visa Medical.

 

To avoid delays in the visa process, the police check and a visa medical can be completed as soon as the AHPRA application has been lodged.

 

Permanent Residency

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There is a clear path for General Practitioners and their families to gain Permanent Residency (PR). This is a positive way to ensure a strong General Practice workforce for the future. It is a good idea to discuss your strategy for PR with an Immigration Agency as part of you migration plan. For other professions, PR normally requires the applicant to be under 45 years of age. The good news is that, even in the case of partially comparable, if GPs over the age of 45 work in a regional area for 2 years, they become eligible for PR.

 

Costs*

The General Practitioner themself will usually pay the Department of Home Affairs visa application fees

• Business Sponsorship Application fee – $1800+GST (Paid by the Practice)

• Nomination application fee: $2500+GST (Paid by the Practice)

• Visa Application – $3,115.00 for the main applicant and for each dependant 18 years and older; $760.00 for each dependant under 18 years of age.

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*Subject to change

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Note: We are not able to offer specific immigration advice. However, we can connect you with Immigration Solicitors who are experienced in working with general practitioners. There will be an additional cost if you use an Immigration Solicitor to process the Immigration application paperwork.

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This information is general in nature, we are General Practice Recruitment Specialists, and not able to give immigration advice. For specific advice, you should contact the Department of Immigration or a qualified Immigration Solicitor.