Why Work in Regional Australia?
Regional Australia is where many overseas doctors find the smoothest entry into the Australian medical workforce. Workforce shortages in rural and remote communities mean hospitals, clinics, and general practices are actively seeking international medical graduates (IMGs) and are often willing to provide comprehensive sponsorship packages.
For overseas doctors, working regionally can offer a combination of professional advantages, including:
- Faster visa processing — Regional visa applications often receive priority processing, meaning you can start working sooner.
- Additional visa pathways — The Subclass 494 visa is specifically designed for regional employer-sponsored workers and leads to permanent residency.
- Higher earning potential — Regional positions frequently offer higher base salaries, overtime loadings, and additional incentive payments to attract doctors. See our salary guide for details.
- Broader clinical experience — Regional doctors often manage a wider range of cases, building diverse skills that are valued throughout your career.
- Faster pathway to permanent residency — Regional work can count toward permanent residency requirements and may qualify you for additional migration points.
What Counts as Regional Australia?
The Australian Government defines "regional Australia" for immigration purposes as any area outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. This means the following major cities and surrounding areas are all classified as regional:
- Perth and all of Western Australia
- Adelaide and all of South Australia
- Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Townsville and regional Queensland
- Hobart and all of Tasmania
- Canberra and the ACT
- Darwin and all of the Northern Territory
- Newcastle, Wollongong and regional New South Wales
- Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and regional Victoria
Many of these areas are thriving cities with excellent amenities, schools, and quality of life — far from the remote outback image many people imagine. Explore our guide to the best cities for doctors to find the right fit for you and your family.
Regional Visa Options for Doctors
Several visa pathways are specifically designed for or offer concessions to doctors working in regional areas:
- Subclass 494 — Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa — A five-year visa for regional employer-sponsored workers, with a pathway to permanent residency after three years.
- Subclass 482 — Temporary Skill Shortage visa — Available in regional areas with often faster sponsorship approval. Regional employers may have fewer labour market testing requirements.
- Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme — Some regional employers can directly nominate you for permanent residency under this visa.
- District of Workforce Shortage (DWS) — Many regional areas are classified as Districts of Workforce Shortage, which allows IMGs to access Medicare provider numbers more easily, a critical requirement for working as a doctor in Australia.
Your choice of visa will depend on your qualifications, employer, and long-term goals. The comprehensive visa guide walks through each option in detail.
Finding a Regional Medical Position
Regional medical jobs for overseas doctors are available through multiple channels. State and territory health departments run dedicated international recruitment programs, and many regional hospitals work with specialist medical recruitment agencies that handle everything from sponsorship paperwork to relocation assistance.
Common roles for overseas doctors in regional areas include:
- General practitioners (GPs) in rural clinics and group practices
- Hospital medical officers (HMOs) and resident medical officers (RMOs)
- Emergency medicine doctors
- Specialists in areas like anaesthetics, obstetrics, psychiatry, and general surgery
For practical advice on finding and securing a regional role, see our guide to getting a job and our regional vs metro comparison to help you decide which setting suits your career goals.
If you are relocating with a partner and children, our schools and family guide and bringing your family page cover everything you need to plan a smooth transition.
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.