Application Process
Our placement team in the UK and Australia will work very closely with you to provide a dedicated support system to all our doctor colleagues to ensure a smooth application and registration process. As an International Medical Graduate (IMG) you can apply for a GP position in a clinic that has been designated ‘Area of Need’ status. This means being eligible to work in an outer metro, inner regional practices or coastal locations.
‘Area of Need’ Status
An ‘Area of Need’ (AON) is a medical position rather than a geographical area where there is a doctor shortage. A position may be declared AON by the States and Territories in Australia when advertising has failed to attract a suitable candidate for that position and that the position is essential. Because of the extreme shortage of doctors there are many AON positions available in both rural and metropolitan centres, and can be either public or private service.
To apply under this pathway, an AON position needs to be acquired for which a doctor is suitable for and then an offer of employment is made. An application then needs to be made to the Australian Medical Council (AMC) and State medical boards on the doctor’s behalf. A temporary resident visa can be granted to International GPs for a maximum of four years.
Medical Board Registration
The following is some general background information about the Medical Board Registration process which we will assist you with.
As an International Medical Graduate (IMG) you will need to have a job offer in order to acquire registration with an Australian Medical Board or Council, which is where Locumotion can help you!
Each State and Territory Medical Board or Council has its own application process and are responsible for the registration of all medical practitioners; however they all have the same basic requirements. As a Medical Practitioner, you must show evidence of relevant medical training, completion of internship, relevant experience with the position on offer, certificate of good standing with previous registering bodies and identification.
Doctors who hold specialist qualifications from outside Australia or New Zealand from countries such as Ireland, UK and Canada are eligible to proceed through the Competency Authority Pathway by having their qualifications assessed by the AMC and RACGP before applying to the Medical Board of the State they will be working in.
For information on each State and Territory, and how to be registered, please see below:
Western Australia - www.medicalboard.com.au
South Australia - www.medicalboardsa.asn.au
Queensland- www.medicalboard.qld.gov.au
New South Wales - www.nswmb.org.au
Victoria – www.medicalboardvic.org.au
Tasmania – www.medicalcounciltas.com.au
Northern Territory - www.health.nt.gov.au
Immigration Requirements
Doctors can apply for either a temporary or permanent visa. In order to apply for a permanent visa you will need to hold Full registration with the Medical Board of the State and Territory in which you will be working. For this reason, all doctors will initially need to be sponsored to work in Australia where you can work for up to 4 years on a temporary visa.
To be eligible for a visa you and your dependents will also be required to meet the following minimum criteria in addition to completing the relevant forms:
- Health requirements - undertake a full medical including blood tests & chest x-rays which can only be performed by a Panel Doctor
- Character requirements - Section 501 of the Migration Act contains a character test to ensure that visa applicants and visa holders are of acceptable character
See Immigration and Visa’s for detailed information regarding visas and sponsorship.
