Eligibility and Requirements

The Subclass 482 visa, also known as the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, is one of the most common visa pathways for overseas doctors coming to Australia. It requires an Australian employer to nominate and sponsor you for a specific medical position.

To be eligible for the 482 visa as a doctor, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Nominated occupation — Your occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list. Medical practitioners, including general practitioners, resident medical officers, and specialists, are listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
  • Skills assessment — You need a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority, which for most doctors is the Australian Medical Council (AMC). See our AMC registration guide for details.
  • English language proficiency — You must meet the minimum English language requirements. For doctors, this typically means an IELTS score of 7.0 in each band or equivalent. Learn more about English requirements.
  • Work experience — At least two years of relevant post-qualification work experience in your nominated occupation.
  • Employer sponsorship — An approved Australian employer must sponsor you and nominate you for a specific position. The employer must demonstrate they could not fill the role with an Australian worker.
  • Health and character — You must meet health requirements and provide police clearances.

Visa Streams and Duration

The 482 visa has several streams, and the one relevant to most doctors is the Medium-term stream:

  • Medium-term stream — Available for occupations on the MLTSSL, which includes most medical practitioner roles. This stream grants a visa for up to four years and provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 186 visa after three years of work with your sponsoring employer.
  • Short-term stream — Available for occupations on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). Some medical roles may fall under this stream, which grants a visa for up to two years with a possible two-year renewal but no direct PR pathway.
  • Labour Agreement stream — Used when an employer has a labour agreement with the Australian government. Some health sector agreements may apply to specific medical roles in underserviced areas.

For most overseas doctors, the Medium-term stream is the preferred option because it offers a longer stay and a clear route to permanent residency.

Key Details

  • Visa duration: Up to 4 years (Medium-term stream)
  • Work rights: Full-time work with your sponsoring employer; you can also do limited additional work
  • Family inclusion: You can include your spouse/de facto partner and dependent children on your application. See bringing your family for details.
  • Travel: Unlimited travel in and out of Australia while your visa is valid
  • Medicare: Access to Medicare if your country has a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia, otherwise you need private health insurance

Understanding Employer Sponsorship

The 482 visa is an employer-sponsored visa, which means you cannot apply for it independently. The process involves three stages:

  1. Sponsorship application — Your employer applies to become an approved sponsor (Standard Business Sponsorship). If they have previously sponsored workers, they may already hold this approval.
  2. Nomination — Your employer nominates you for a specific position and must demonstrate that the role is genuine, that they meet salary requirements (at least the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold, currently AUD 73,150 per year), and that they could not find a suitable Australian worker.
  3. Visa application — You submit your visa application with all required documentation, including your skills assessment, English test results, health examinations, and police clearances.

Finding an employer sponsor is often the most challenging part of the process. Our guide to finding a job provides practical advice on connecting with hospitals, health services, and recruitment agencies that regularly sponsor overseas doctors.

Public hospitals, state health departments, and large private hospital groups are among the most common sponsors for overseas doctors. Regional health services in particular are often actively recruiting and may offer faster sponsorship processing. Learn more about regional work opportunities.

Pathway to Permanent Residency

One of the major advantages of the 482 visa (Medium-term stream) is that it provides a direct pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 186 visa (Transition stream). After working for your sponsoring employer for three years on a 482 visa, you can apply for the 186 visa and gain permanent residency in Australia.

This transition pathway is one of the most straightforward routes to permanent residency for overseas doctors. Planning your visa strategy from the outset can help ensure a smooth transition when the time comes.

For a broader understanding of how the visa process connects to your overall migration journey, visit our Jobs section or review the salary guide to understand the financial aspects of working as a doctor in Australia.

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.