Australia is one of the most popular destinations for doctors relocating internationally — high salaries, excellent working conditions, and a healthcare system that actively recruits IMGs to address workforce shortages, particularly in rural and regional areas.
The pathway is achievable but specific. Here's how it works.
Registration: AHPRA and the Medical Board of Australia
All doctors in Australia must be registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) through the Medical Board of Australia. For IMGs, there are several registration pathways depending on your qualifications and experience.
Standard Pathway (most IMGs): Pass the AMC exams, complete a period of supervised practice (typically 12 months as an intern equivalent or in a supervised post), and apply for general registration. This is the most common route for doctors without specialist qualifications.
Specialist Pathway: If you hold a specialist qualification from a recognised country (UK CCT, US board certification, etc.), you may apply directly through the relevant Australian specialist college for assessment. Successful assessment leads to specialist registration without needing to sit AMC exams. Processing takes 6–18 months and requires extensive documentation.
Competent Authority Pathway: Doctors registered in the UK, US, Canada, Ireland, or New Zealand may be eligible for a streamlined assessment. This doesn't exempt you from all requirements but can simplify the process.
AMC exams
AMC CAT (Computer Adaptive Test): The knowledge assessment — a computer-based MCQ exam covering clinical medicine, surgery, obstetrics, paediatrics, and psychiatry. Around 150 questions, adaptive format (difficulty adjusts based on your performance). Pass rate for IMGs is approximately 50%. Resources: iatroX Australian qbank, AMC MCQ Question Bank, AceTheExam, and various third-party qbanks.
AMC Clinical Exam: An OSCE with 16 stations testing clinical and communication skills. The pass rate is notably low — around 24% on first attempt. This is the hardest step in the pathway. Preparation requires structured OSCE practice, ideally with Australian-trained doctors or dedicated AMC clinical exam courses.
Visa options
Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage): The most common initial visa for IMG doctors. Requires employer sponsorship. Valid for up to 4 years. Provides a pathway to permanent residency after 2–3 years.
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional): A points-based visa for doctors willing to work in regional areas. Many IMG doctors use this pathway because regional areas have the greatest workforce need and the visa requirements (including state/territory nomination) are more accessible.
Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme): A direct permanent residency visa. Requires employer nomination and usually 3 years of work experience in Australia.
District of Workforce Shortage (DWS): Many IMG positions are in DWS areas — areas designated as having insufficient medical workforce. Working in a DWS area is often a visa condition and carries a 10-year moratorium on Medicare billing in non-DWS areas (the "10-year moratorium" or "section 19AB"). This is the most important regulatory detail IMGs overlook: you can work in Australia, but you may be restricted to specific geographic areas for a decade.
The practical reality
Salaries are high. A GP in Australia earns AUD $200,000–$400,000+ depending on location, billing model, and hours. Hospital doctors (registrars) earn AUD $120,000–$180,000 with significant overtime loading. Rural and remote positions often offer additional financial incentives.
Working conditions are generally better than the UK. More protected training time, better consultant-to-patient ratios in many hospitals, and a culture that values work-life balance more explicitly than the NHS.
The rural pathway is the fastest route but requires genuine commitment. Rural Australia is genuinely remote — some positions are 3–5 hours from the nearest city. The clinical variety is excellent (you see everything), the lifestyle can be rewarding, but the isolation is real. Doctors who thrive in rural Australia are those who embrace the community, not those who treat it as a stepping stone.
Registration takes time. From deciding to move to Australia to starting clinical work, budget 12–24 months for exam preparation, registration processing, and visa application. Start the AMC exams before you leave your current country if possible.
iatroX offers an Australian exam qbank with AI explanations and clinical search for clinicians. Built by a practising NHS GP and Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree.