Visa Overview for Doctors

Securing the right visa is a critical part of your journey to practising medicine in Australia. The Australian government offers several visa subclasses specifically relevant to overseas-trained doctors, each with different eligibility requirements, durations, and pathways to permanent residency.

Medical practitioners are on Australia's skilled occupation lists, which means doctors are in high demand and have access to employer-sponsored and skilled visa options that many other professions do not. Your visa pathway will depend on factors such as whether you have an employer sponsor, whether you are willing to work in a regional area, and your long-term migration goals.

Below is an overview of the main visa categories relevant to overseas doctors. Select any visa type to learn more about eligibility, requirements, and how to apply.

Visa Types for Doctors

Subclass 482 Visa (TSS)

The Temporary Skill Shortage visa allows employers to sponsor overseas doctors for up to four years. A common first step before transitioning to permanent residency.

Subclass 186 Visa (ENS)

The Employer Nomination Scheme provides a direct route to permanent residency through employer sponsorship, either via direct entry or transition from a 482 visa.

Subclass 494 Visa (SESR)

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa is designed for doctors willing to work in regional Australia, with a pathway to permanent residency after three years.

Permanent Residency

Explore the different pathways to PR for doctors, including employer-sponsored routes, the points-tested system, and state nomination options.

Regional Work

Learn about Distribution Priority Areas, Districts of Workforce Shortage, moratorium requirements, and the incentives for working in regional Australia.

Bringing Your Family

Understand dependent visa options, partner work rights, children's schooling, and how to include your family in your Australian migration journey.

How to Choose the Right Visa

The best visa for your situation depends on several factors:

  • Employer sponsorship — If you have a job offer from an Australian employer willing to sponsor you, the 482 visa or 186 visa are the most direct options.
  • Regional willingness — If you are open to working in a regional area, the 494 visa and regional work pathways offer additional advantages and faster processing.
  • Permanent residency goals — If your long-term plan is to settle in Australia permanently, consider which visa provides the clearest pathway to PR.
  • Family considerations — If you are relocating with a spouse or children, review the family migration options available under each visa subclass.

We recommend starting with the Start Here guide if you are new to the process, or reviewing the registration requirements to ensure you meet the prerequisites before applying for a visa.

Key Visa Considerations for Doctors

There are several important factors that make doctor visa applications unique compared to other skilled occupations:

  • Skills assessment — You will need a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority (typically the AMC or a specialist college) before you can apply for most skilled visas.
  • Registration requirements — You must be eligible for medical registration with AHPRA to work as a doctor in Australia, and your visa type may affect the type of registration you receive.
  • Moratorium and DWS — Many overseas doctors are subject to a moratorium period requiring them to work in areas of workforce shortage before gaining unrestricted access to Medicare billing.
  • Processing times — Visa processing times vary significantly by subclass and can change frequently. Always check the Department of Home Affairs website for current estimates.

For a complete overview of the doctor registration process, visit our Registration section. To understand how visa selection connects with finding employment, see our Jobs section.

Important Planning Note

This page is designed as practical guidance for overseas doctors and should be used alongside official requirements published by AHPRA, the AMC, relevant specialist colleges, and the Department of Home Affairs.

Rules, fees, and processing times can change. Before lodging any application, verify current criteria directly with official sources listed on our Resources page.