Whether you are already in Australia working as a doctor, or planning to migrate to Australia, there are some basic facts which will be important as you, whether you intend to stay only for a few years, or want to become a permanent resident
Initial Visa Options for IMG’s
For an International Medical Graduate (IMG) to work in Australia as a medical practitioner the most common pathway is:
- Get a job offer
- Obtain a successful skills assessment
- Get registered with the Australian Medical Board (AMB)
- Get a visa
For most IMG’s migrating to Australia, (if you do not already hold General or Specialist registration), the main pathway is the 482 visa program.
TSS – Temporary Skills Shortage (482) Visa
This is the most common pathway for medical practitioners and requires you be sponsored by an Australian medical practice or hospital. The medical practice or hospital must be an approved 482 Standard Business Sponsor. The Department of Home Affairs is processing 482 visas for medical practitioners quite quickly. The visa is usually granted for up to 4 years and it enables the doctor to work for the sponsoring medical practice or hospital and in some circumstances, other medical practices. This visa can provide a very useful stepping stone on the pathway to a permanent residence visa. To apply for a 482 visa, your occupation must be on the Combined List of Eligible Occupations. We have created an abbreviated version of the Combined List of Eligible Occupations for medical professions below so that you can easily check whether your occupation is listed (most medical occupations are).
Temporary Work (457) Visa
This was replaced by the 482 visa in March 2018 and was the most common pathway for medical practitioners to migrate to Australia. 457 visas issued before March 2018 will continue to be valid until their normal expiry date. There are some special conditions applicable to 457 visa holders transitioning to permanent residence. Please contact us for more information.
Permanent Residence Options
Doctors who want to stay in Australia may have several different visa options, dependent on a number of factors. The table below shows which visas are available to the various medical professions and specialisations. You can use the SEARCH function to find your occupation. Once you have found your occupation, see the Visa Types for Doctors section below for details of the various visas as they apply to medical professionals.
| Occupation | ANZSCO | 189 | 485 | 190 | 489SS | 489FS | 186 | 457 | List | Assessing Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaesthetic Technician | 311211 | Y | Y | Y | Y | STSOL | VETASSESS | |||
| Anaesthetist | 253211 | Y | Y | Y | Y | STSOL | Medical Board of Australia | |||
| Audiologist | 252711 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | VETASSESS |
| Cardiac Technician | 311212 | Y | Y | Y | Y | STSOL | VETASSESS | |||
| Cardiologist | 253312 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | 253512 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Clinical Haematologist | 253313 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Clinical Psychologist | 272311 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | APS |
| Dental Specialist | 252311 | Y | Y | Y | Y | STSOL | ADC | |||
| Dental Technician | 411213 | Y | Y | Y | Y | STSOL | TRA | |||
| Dentist | 252312 | Y | Y | Y | Y | STSOL | ADC | |||
| Dermatologist | 253911 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist | 253917 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Emergency Medicine Specialist | 253912 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Endocrinologist | 253315 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Enrolled Nurse | 411411 | Y | Y | Y | Y | STSOL | ANMAC | |||
| Gastroenterologist | 253316 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| General Practitioner | 253111 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Hospital Pharmacist | 251511 | Y | Y | Y | Y | STSOL | APharmC | |||
| Intensive Care Ambulance Paramedic | 411112 | Y | Y | Y | Y | STSOL | VETASSESS | |||
| Intensive Care Specialist | 253317 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Medical Administrator | 134211 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | TRA | ||
| Medical Diagnostic Radiographer | 251211 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ASMIRT |
| Medical Oncologist | 253314 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Medical Practitioners (nec) | 253999 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Medical Radiation Therapist | 251212 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ASMIRT |
| Neurologist | 253318 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Neurosurgeon | 253513 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | 251213 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ANZSNM |
| Nurse Educator | 254211 | Y | Y | Y | Y | STSOL | ANMAC | |||
| Nurse Manager | 254311 | Y | Y | Y | Y | STSOL | ANMAC | |||
| Nurse Practitioner | 254411 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ANMAC |
| Nurse Researcher | 254212 | Y | Y | Y | Y | STSOL | ANMAC | |||
| Nursing Clinical Director | 134212 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ANMAC |
| Obstetrician & Gynaecologist | 253913 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Occupational Therapist | 252411 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | OTC |
| Ophthalmologist | 253914 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Optometrist | 251411 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | OCANZ |
| Orthopaedic Surgeon | 253514 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Orthoptist | 251412 | Y | Y | Y | Y | STSOL | VETASSESS | |||
| Orthotist or Prosthetist | 251912 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | AOPA |
| Osteopath | 252112 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ANZOC |
| Otorhinolaryngologist | 253515 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Paediatric Surgeon | 253516 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Paediatrician | 253321 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Pathologist | 253915 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Physiotherapist | 252511 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | APC |
| Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon | 253517 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Podiatrist | 252611 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | APodC/ANZPAC |
| Psychiatrist | 253411 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Radiation Oncologist | 253918 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Registered Nurse (Aged Care) | 254412 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ANMAC |
| Registered Nurse (Child & Family Health) | 254413 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ANMAC |
| Registered Nurse (Community Health) | 254414 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ANMAC |
| Registered Nurse (Critical Care & Emergency) | 254415 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ANMAC |
| Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) | 254416 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ANMAC |
| Registered Nurse (Disability & Rehabilitation) | 254417 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ANMAC |
| Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) | 254421 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ANMAC |
| Registered Nurse (Medical) | 254418 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ANMAC |
| Registered Nurse (Mental Health) | 254422 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ANMAC |
| Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) | 254425 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ANMAC |
| Registered Nurse (Perioperative) | 254423 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ANMAC |
| Registered Nurse (Surgical) | 254424 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ANMAC |
| Registered Nurses (nec) | 254499 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ANMAC |
| Renal Medicine Specialist | 253322 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Resident Medical Officer | 253112 | Y | Y | Y | Y | STSOL | Medical Board of Australia | |||
| Rheumatologist | 253323 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Sonographer | 251214 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | ASMIRT |
| Specialist Physician (General Medicine) | 253311 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Specialist Physicians (nec) | 253399 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Speech Pathologist | 252712 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | SPA |
| Surgeon (General) | 253511 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Thoracic Medicine Specialist | 253324 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Urologist | 253518 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
| Vascular Surgeon | 253521 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | MLTSSL | Medical Board of Australia |
Visa Types for Doctors
This is a list of the most common visa types for doctors migrating to Australia as skilled workers and highlights special provisions made for the medical profession. For a more complete general description of these visas, click the links to the relevant page of our website.
Temporary Visas
TSS Visa (Subclass 482) this visa is the most common pathway for medical practitioners and requires you be sponsored by an Australian medical practice or hospital. Once the visa application is approved, the employee must work for their sponsor whilst the visa remains in effect. However there are certain provisions which apply to doctors which allow them to work under a contract arrangement or take on additional work (such as private patients) outside of their normal working hours with their sponsor. There is no age limit for this visa.
Temporary Work Visa (Subclass 457) – was replaced the 457 visa in March 2018.
Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 or 462) These visas may be used by young doctors (30 and under, or 35 and under if you are from Canada, Ireland or France) to:
- travel and work in Australia while looking for employment as a medical practitioner or,
- if you have secured a job offer in Australia, have completed the skills assessment and registration process and are keen to get to Australia quickly.
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is only applicable if you studied for more than 2 years full time in Australia and want to stay in Australia to gain work experience (for instance to complete your internship)
Permanent Residence Visas – General Skilled Migration
If you are interested in any of the SkillSelect visa programs below, you can check your eligibility HERE.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189*) is part of the SkillSelect program and is a points tested visa.
- General or Specialist registration is required.
- The age limit for this visa is 44 at time of invitation to apply (except for eligible New Zealand Citizens)
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190*) is part of the SkillSelect program and is a points tested visa.
- You must be nominated by a State or Territory of Australia.
- General or Specialist registration is required.
- The age limit for this visa is 44 at time of invitation to apply
Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491*) is part of the SkillSelect program and is a points tested visa.
- You must be nominated by a State or Territory of Australia or an eligible relative.
- General or Specialist registration is required.
- The age limit for this visa is 44 at time of invitation to apply
* These visas are part of the SkillSelect program. More details on how this program works can be found here.
Permanent Residence Visas -Employer Sponsored
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) requires that you are nominated by an Australian medical practice or hospital:
- you must have the level of registration required to perform the duties of the position for which you are nominated*
- you must be a full time employee of that practice or hospital (direct entry stream)
- you may be a contractor or a full time employee of that practice or hospital (temporary residence transition (TRT) stream)
- The age limit for this visa is 44 at time of application for Direct Entry Stream and 50 for TRT Stream. There are certain exemptions for Doctors.
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (Subclass 187) requires that you be nominated by an Australian medical practice or hospital in a Regional part of Australia (as defined by the Department of Immigration) :
- you must obtain Regional Certifying Body (RCB) approval for the Region where the practice or hospital is located
- you must have the level of registration required to perform the duties of the position for which you are nominated*
- you must be a full time employee of that practice or hospital (direct entry stream)
- you may be a contractor or a full time employee of that practice or hospital (temporary residence transition stream)
- The age limit for this visa is 44 at time of application. There are certain exemptions for Doctors
*EXAMPLE
A hospital has nominated Dr Smith under the Employer Nomination Scheme with the full understanding that the applicant is the holder of ‘Limited registration – Area of Need (Supervision Level 4)’. For the purposes of this visa program, Dr Smith is, at time of application, the holder of a licence and/or registration that enables him to perform the duties of the occupation in which the hospital has nominated him. Based on this, the applicant is considered to have met the licensing and/or registration requirements for the occupation of Medical Practitioner. (This is an abridged version of the DIBP policy)
Age Exemptions for Doctors
Applicants for all General Skilled Migration visas must be less than 45 years of age at time of invitation to apply.
Applicants for Subclass 186 and Subclass 187 who are not required to be below the age of 45 (Direct Entry Stream) or 50 (TRT Stream) at time of application must meet the following requirements:
- The applicant must be a Medical Practitioner (ANZSCO Minor Group 253)
- the applicant must have been employed as a medical practitioner for a period of at least three years immediately before applying for the Subclass 186 or 187 visa.
- during that period the applicant must have been a holder of a Subclass 457 and/or 482 visas
- the applicant must have been employed in regional Australia for at least two years during the period of three years
- the nominated position must be located in regional Australia
- the nominated position must be the same ANZSCO Code for those three years
OR
- The applicant must be a Medical Practitioner (ANZSCO Minor Group 253)
- the applicants earnings were at least as much as the Fair Work Income Threshold for three years
- the applicant must have been employed as a medical practitioner for a period of at least three years immediately before applying for the Subclass 186 or 187 visa.
- the nominated position must be the same ANZSCO Code for those three years
NOTE: If you were previously the holder of a 422 visa contact us
Alternate Visa Pathways
While most IMG’s come to Australia on a 482 visa, in some circumstances there may be alternate pathways, for instance:
Working Holiday Visa
For young doctors, (30 and under) one option may be to come to Australia on a working holiday visa (subclass 417) or a work and holiday visa (subclass 462). You will need to hold a passport from one of the countries participating in the working holiday or work and holiday visa programs. These visas will enable you to travel and work in Australia while looking for employment as a medical practitioner and before commencing the skills assessment and registration process. A working holiday in Australia could also be useful to young doctors who have secured a job offer in Australia; have completed the skills assessment and registration process and are keen to get to Australia quickly. Working holiday visas are usually processed in about 2 weeks.
Partner Visa
You may be eligible for a partner visa if you are in a married or defacto relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand Citizen. Both opposite sex and same sex couples may apply for a partner visa. This visa has no age limit.
The 10 Year Moratorium
To treat private patients in Australia, you need to have a Medicare provider number. This number allows your patients to claim Medicare benefits for the services you provide.
Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act (the Act) restricts Overseas Trained Doctors (OTD)s and Foreign Graduates from Accredited Medical Schools (FGAMS) from accessing Medicare benefits arrangements for a period of generally 10 years from the date of their first Australian medical registration. These restrictions are referred to as the ‘the 10 year moratorium requirement’.
Exemptions
OTDs and FGAMS may obtain an exemption under section 19AB of the Act if they choose to practise within a District of Workforce Shortage (DWS) for their specialty. If an OTD or FGAMS holds a valid section 19AB exemption for a particular location, they can access Medicare benefits arrangements for professional services they provide at that location.
You can read more about this on the Doctorconnect website
Questions?
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