Are you a medical doctor who wants to migrate to Australia? The healthcare system in Australia is quite developed and the quality of life is very high, so many people from other countries want to work in Australia. However, the process of migration is not always easy. This is why, in this article, we will guide you through all the necessary steps on how to immigrate to Australia as Medical Doctor.

Overview of the Australian Job Market for Medical Doctors

Moving to Australia to become a doctor, although challenging, is very rewarding because the country has an advanced standard of healthcare systems and is in great need of qualified medical personnel. However, despite the number of jobs available in large cities like Sydney and Melbourne, doctors may have to consider taking jobs in regional or rural areas where the need is high. These areas usually offer benefits such as higher pay, lower cost of living, community support and faster routes to obtaining permanent residence, which is attractive to International Medical Graduates, also known as IMGs.

Nevertheless, the only way to practice medicine in Australia is to complete the AMC exams and meet the standards of their council’s registration. But, this may take a few months, hence, you should start your preparation early. Along the line, you may also require further licences depending on your specialisation and the state in which you wish to work, as the regulations of healthcare differ across the country. Medicine in Australia offers great potential for career growth, a good quality of life, and the opportunity to help in areas where medical services are in demand.

Factors to Consider Before Moving to Australia as a Doctor.

There are a few factors that need to be taken into consideration before migrating to Australia as a doctor. These include:

1. Family Friendly: It is important to stress that Australia is very family friendly. This is because the country promotes an excellent work-life balance, quality health care, the best education facilities, and numerous recreational amenities, all of which are perfect for raising and sustaining a family.

2. Standard of Living: It is important to note that the standard of living in Australia is comparatively higher than in many countries. Hence, basic needs such as shelter, transport, and other day-to-day needs will be expensive, especially in large cities. However, you can still find the standard of living affordable in remote areas of the country.

3. Diversity: Another advantage of living and working in Australia is its multicultural population. You will work with people from different cultures in your profession as well as in your social life, which will make your overall experience even better by providing you with more perspectives.

4. Weather: Finally, the weather differs from region to region, ranging from the equatorial zone of the north to the subalpine climate of the south. This implies that one needs to research the kind of weather that is expected in a particular region in order to adapt accordingly.

General Requirements on How to Move to Australia as a Medical Doctor

The following are the general requirements on how to migrate to Australia as a doctor from Nigeria:

1. A Valid Medical Degree

For one to practice medicine in Australia, having an acceptable medical degree is very important. Your medical degree should be from a medical school that is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools. This directory contains all institutions that are accredited around the globe, and it is expedient to check whether your school is on the list by searching the directory.

Furthermore, the Australian Medical Council (AMC), which is the Australian body responsible for the accreditation of medical education and training, must also recognize your degree. The AMC has a crucial function of determining if the medical education and qualifications recognized in other countries meet the standards in Australia. They are responsible for all issues concerning the assessment of medical education and training.

For IMGs, the AMC’s accreditation of your medical qualifications is a key part of the journey towards gaining the license to practice in Australia. Without their endorsement, it may be difficult to continue with other registrations and examinations that are required before one can commence his or her medical practice in the country. Hence, you must make sure your degree and the institution you attended meet the necessary standards before you make any serious move toward moving to Australia, or it could result in a waste of effort.

2. Get a Valid Job Offer

For IMGs, the employment process in Australia is not the same as in countries like the United Kingdom. The first thing one must do is to get an offer to work in the country. This is because after employment, the next process is the council registration and you cannot do any registration without a job offer. Noteworthy, IMGs are free to apply to both public health facilities and private hospitals in the country. However, there may be location restrictions because you will most probably be posted to areas of high medical need, usually rural or remote settings.

3. Register with the Council

After you get a job in Australia, the next thing that an IMG should do is to obtain registration with the Australian Medical Council (AMC). It is however worth to note that, this registration is compulsory and anyone practicing medicine or treating patients in the country without it is committing an offense. The AMC provides three main pathways for registration, depending on your qualifications and experience:

1. Standard Pathway: This pathway is for IMGs who wish to apply for general registration but do not meet the requirements of Competent or Specialist IMGs. It requires you to pass a two-part assessment which includes the CAT MCQ and clinical examination or workplace-based assessment. The exams are set to ensure that you are have a deep medical knowledge and skills standard in Australia. Once you have passed both examinations, you can apply for general registration with the Medical Board of Australia, known as MedBA.

2. Competent Pathway: This pathway applies to IMGs who have medical training from countries that are acceptable by the medical authorities in Australia. It also enables you to make a direct application for provisional registration at the MedBA. If you have served not less than 12 months of supervised practice in Australia (a minimum of 47 weeks of full-time service), you can apply for general registration. This pathway is quicker for candidates who have undergone training in competent authority countries and wish to work in Australia in general positions that do not require specialized training.

3. Specialist Pathway: This pathway is for IMGs who are considered specialists in their country of training and who want to work in a specialized field in Australia. You will need to sit for an examination set by the appropriate specialist medical college in Australia to assess the credibility of your qualifications and experience. If your skills are recognized to be in compliance with Australian standards, then you can apply for specialist recognition. This pathway is particularly helpful for IMGs who are able to secure a position in a shortage area, particularly in the rural and regional zones.

4. English Language Proficiency

When applying to register as a doctor in Australia, it is important to provide proof of English language proficiency. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Authority (AHPRA) and the Medical Board insist on strong English skills for efficient communication and practice. The accepted proficiency tests and their minimum score requirements are:

• Academic IELTS: A minimum score of 7.0 and no less than 7.0 on each of the four components.
• TOEFL iBT: A minimum overall band of 94 with a minimum of 24 in listening and reading, 23 in speaking, and 27 in writing.
• OET: A B grade in each component.
• Academic PTE: Minimum overall band of 65 with a minimum of 65 in each of the four components.

After you have met the above requirements, the next step is to apply for a visa.

Visa Application Guide for Medical Doctors Moving to Australia

If you are residing in another country and have obtained your medical education and training there, then you have two programs that you can undertake to practice as a doctor in Australia.

1. General Migration

This is a points-based visa system that gives preference to persons with the required skills and qualifications. You earn more points depending on your age, proficiency in the English language, and whether you have any experience living or studying in Australia. The score that is needed to obtain these visas is 65 points. The visas under this category include:

• Subclass 189- Skilled Independent Visa

The Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) is one of the possible ways for people with certain skills and education to obtain permanent residence in the country without employer’s sponsorship. To be eligible for this visa, one has to meet the point-based system, which considers factors such as age, English proficiency, working experience, education as well as other skills.

• Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

Subclass 491 visa known as the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa allows the skilled candidates to live and work in the designated regions of Australia for five years. An application can only be made after receiving a nomination from Victoria as the first step. After 3 years of living in Australia with the subclass 491 visa, one may be eligible for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa subclass 191, which allows one to permanently live in Australia.

• Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated visa.

The Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) is an excellent opportunity for skilled personnel to be immigrants in South Australia and to be employed there permanently. It is a state-nominated permanent visa that allows the holder to live and work in South Australia. If you wish to apply for the Skilled Nominated Visa – Subclass 190 then you need to meet the SA state nomination requirements. To apply for this skilled migration visa from the Department of Home Affairs, you must be under 45 years old, have a valid skills test, and have a suitable skilled position, among other requirements.

For all three visa types (Subclass 189, 491, and 190), the application process is the same:

1. Eligibility Check: Make sure that you qualify for the visa that you want to apply for.

2. Skills Assessment: Take and pass an aptitude test related to your line of work.

3. Expression of Interest: Express your interest in the SkillSelect System by sending an Expression of Interest (EOI) that contains personal details such as given name, family name, date of birth, and passport details, your assessment results and the state or territory you wish to reside.

4. Invitation: After your state or territory of choice extends an invitation to you, ensure that you have all relevant papers ready to submit.

5. Visa Application: Upon receipt of the invitation, you can then go to the relevant authority to apply for the visa.

2. Employer Sponsor Migration

In this case, your employer can be your sponsor. As a skilled professional from outside of the country, there are three possible visas which allow you to migrate to Australia:

• Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage

This is a work visa that has employer sponsorship among the requirements that the applicant needs to meet. Your sponsor must prove that there is an actual need to hire an overseas worker for the advertised position. When applying for the 482 visas, there are three streams that one can apply for, and they include the Short-term stream, the Medium-term stream and the Labour Agreement stream if the sponsor is under a labour agreement.

• Subclass 187 – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme

If you have an employer in Australia who wants to sponsor you and can prove that the employer genuinely needs your skills for a specified regional area, you might be eligible to apply for RSMS visa (subclass 187). The RSMS visa allows skilled persons who wish to live in regional Australia permanently to access long-term employment and contribute to regional communities.

• Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme

Please note that you will be offered permanent resident status if you apply for and qualify for either of the Skilled Nominated Visas 189 or 190. However, the 491 (Skilled Work Regional Provisional) and 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visas let you live and work in your chosen region for only three years, after which you can apply for permanent residence.

Conclusion

Migrating to Australia as a medical doctor offers a unique blend of professional growth and personal fulfilment. If you are a medical doctor looking for ways to relocate to Australia, follow the steps outlined in this article, and you’ll be well on your way to joining Australia’s esteemed medical community. Stay focused, persistent, and open to new opportunities, and you’ll thrive in this beautiful country.