Assessment and Registration Pathways
Before you can practise medicine in Australia, your qualifications must be assessed and you must be registered with AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). The route you take depends on where you trained, your specialty, and your level of experience.
Australia offers several distinct pathways for overseas-trained doctors:
- Competent Authority Pathway — For doctors who trained in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, or New Zealand. This pathway recognises the equivalence of training from these countries and can offer a faster route to registration.
- Standard Pathway — The most common route for international medical graduates. It requires passing the AMC MCQ and clinical examinations, followed by a period of supervised practice.
- Specialist Pathway — For doctors who are already recognised specialists in their home country. Your qualifications are assessed by the relevant Australian specialist college.
- GP Pathway — Specifically designed for overseas-trained general practitioners who want to work in general practice in Australia.
- Limited Registration — Allows you to work in approved positions under supervision while you complete your pathway to full registration.
Not sure which pathway applies to you? Use our pathway comparison tool to compare them side by side.
Registration, Exams, and Requirements
Regardless of your pathway, you will need to satisfy several registration requirements. Understanding these early will help you plan your timeline and budget.
AMC Examinations
Most overseas doctors must pass two AMC examinations:
- AMC MCQ (Computer Adaptive Test) — A multiple-choice examination covering the breadth of medical knowledge expected of a graduating Australian medical student. It is delivered in a computer-based format and can be sat at test centres worldwide.
- AMC Clinical Examination — A multi-station clinical examination held in Australia. It tests your clinical skills, communication, and clinical reasoning in realistic patient scenarios.
English Language Requirements
All overseas doctors must demonstrate English language proficiency. Accepted tests include IELTS Academic, OET (Occupational English Test), PTE Academic, and TOEFL iBT. Each test has minimum score requirements set by the Medical Board of Australia. See full English requirements
EPIC Verification
Your primary medical qualifications must be verified through EPIC (Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials). This process confirms the authenticity of your medical degree directly with the issuing institution.
Costs and Timeline
The total cost of registration, exams, and applications can be significant. We have put together a detailed breakdown of all fees involved in our registration costs guide. For an overview of how long each stage takes, see our registration timeline.
Visa Options for Doctors
Securing the right visa is a critical part of the process. Doctors are in high demand in Australia, and there are several visa pathways designed for skilled medical professionals.
- Subclass 482 — Temporary Skill Shortage Visa — The most common employer-sponsored work visa for doctors. It allows you to work for a sponsoring employer for up to four years and can lead to permanent residency.
- Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme — A permanent residency visa for doctors who are nominated by their employer. Often used as a transition from the 482 visa.
- Subclass 494 — Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa — For doctors willing to work in regional Australia. Offers a pathway to permanent residency after three years.
- Permanent Residency — An overview of all routes to permanent residency for doctors, including employer-sponsored and points-based options.
- Regional Work — Many visa and registration pathways encourage or require work in regional areas. Learn about the benefits and requirements of regional practice.
- Bringing Your Family — Information about including your spouse, partner, and children in your visa application.
For a complete overview, visit our Visas section.
Finding a Job and Building Your Career
Once you have your registration and visa sorted, it is time to find a position. The Australian medical job market has strong demand, particularly in regional and rural areas, but understanding how it works will give you a significant advantage.
How to Get a Job
Medical recruitment in Australia works differently from many other countries. Positions are advertised through hospital websites, recruitment agencies, and medical job boards. Many doctors secure their first position through employer sponsorship. Read our full guide to getting a job
Salaries and Remuneration
Doctor salaries in Australia are competitive by global standards. Pay varies significantly depending on your specialty, level of experience, location (metro vs regional), and whether you work in the public or private sector. See the salary guide
Public vs Private Practice
Australia has both a public healthcare system (Medicare) and a thriving private sector. Each offers different working conditions, pay structures, and career paths. Compare public and private practice
Regional vs Metropolitan
Regional areas often offer higher pay, faster career progression, and additional visa and registration benefits. However, they come with different lifestyle considerations. Compare regional and metro work
Understanding Contracts
Before signing any employment contract, it is essential to understand the terms, conditions, and common pitfalls. Learn about medical contracts in Australia
Explore all job-related topics in 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.