What you need to know about Working in Australia

important things you need to know about working in Australia

Australia has six states - New South Wales, Victoria, Brisbane, Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia. It also has two territories - Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory.

While the benefits of living and working in Australia are enormous, the rigorous registration and immigration procedures can be complex – it’s our job to make it easier for you.

Australia’s world-class medical system means medical staff who want to work here must pass its strict standards of practice set by the royal practice colleges, the Australian Medical Council and the state/territory medical boards.

The criteria you need to meet include:

  • Having a minimum of 18 months paid medical practice in one of the following countries.

  • Australia

  • Canada

  • Denmark

  • Germany

  • Holland

  • Hong Kong

  • Ireland

  • New Zealand

  • Norway

  • Singapore

  • South Africa

  • Sweden

  • United Kingdom

  • United States

Outstanding references testifying your excellent work history

  • If you are a junior doctor you will need to have completed as a minimum requirement your one year internship plus your PGY Year 1 house officer training

  • Passing an English language proficiency test if you were not raised and medically training in an English speaking country.

See our 7 easy steps to working in Australia

To get your placement happening faster please apply online or contact us for a confidential chat.

7 easy steps to working in Australia

1. Application 
First, you need to make contact with us. Please ensure you check out the things we require from you in Getting started and Working in Australia. Then send us your CV to speed up the process. We will contact you via telephone or email to further discuss your aims and we will also get the process started for qualification and reference checking.

PLEASE NOTE: To qualify for registration you may have to do an English language proficiency test based on your country of origin and training. It’s very important that you prepare adequately for this - better still, it’s best to have this organised before you apply for a position.

2. Position 
If you have not applied for a specific position, we will source a suitable position for you from our extensive database, discuss it with you and submit your resume and references to our client.

3. Interview 
We will organise the interview for you on behalf of our client and provide you with all the information you need to know about the position and the interview details.

4. Appointment offer 
Congratulations! At this stage we will negotiate for you your salary and other benefits. Now you have been offered a position we will send you the employment contract for you to sign on behalf of our client.

5. Registration 
Your registration is your passport to working as a medical practitioner in Australia. We will prepare the documentation to enable you to register with the relevant state/territory medical board.

As an overseas trained doctor you will be granted either full or conditional registration based on a number of criteria, which we will outline to you. The registration is generally the lengthy part of the process. A typical application takes between two and six months. For senior specialist placements six months is usually the minimum amount of time.

Please note: The process is different for specialists and non-specialists. We will discuss this with you based on your individual circumstance.

6. Sponsorship, visa and registration
The hospital or practice that employs you will also sponsor you to stay in the country. We will guide you through this process on behalf of your employer and the Department of Home Affairs.

It may take up to six-weeks for us to obtain your visa so again allow yourself plenty of time to organise documentation. The process will also include undergoing a full medical for you and family members travelling with you.

7. Travelling to Australia, research and preparation
This is what you have been working towards. We will advise you on behalf of our client of any information you may need in travelling to Australia, temporary accommodation and any special requirements you or your family may have.

It’s well worth checking out our helpful links to prepare yourself for your new journey. Here you will find resources to assist you professionally such as gaining cultural training to understand the best way to communicate with the Australian community as well as practical information on tax, real estate, schools and universities - even local cuisine.

To get your placement happening faster please register your interest with us or review our current positions.

t: 61 (0) 418 388 878