If you’re a doctor moving from the UK to Australia, you’ve likely got several questions about the process. What does an Australian doctor’s salary look like vs the UK? How do you secure a doctor job in Australia? And perhaps most importantly: can UK doctors even work in Australia?

To help you with your relocation, we’re here to clear up any confusion and answer your queries about UK doctors moving to Australia. From in-country registration to securing your next role, here’s everything you need to know.

 

Can UK doctors work in Australia?

The short answer: yes! UK doctors can work in Australia, and the figures show that this migration is happening at an increasing rate. The number of doctors moving from the UK to Australia rose 67% for the period of 2022 – 2023 (when compared to 2021 – 2022), with 1,974 British medical professionals relocating to the country.

When doctors are planning to move from the UK to Australia, they need to make sure that certain legal and logistical requirements are met. These include:

  • Registering with the Australian Medical Council (AMC)
  • Obtaining the correct visa for your relocation
  • Undergoing additional training, depending on your new role

 

Registering with the AMC

If you’re moving from the UK to Australia – whether to pursue an Australian locum doctor job or permanent role – you must first register with the AMC. Doctors coming from the UK to Australia, who earned their qualification overseas, are often called ‘International Medical Graduates’ (IMGs). You’ll encounter this term a lot as part of your relocation.

The AMC verifies medical accreditations of all IMGs. They ensure that standards of education and training within the medical profession are maintained. Before applying for a healthcare role in Australia, we recommend that you confirm your eligibility with the AMC.

There are three registration pathways:

1. Competent Authority Pathway

This route is suitable for UK doctors moving to Australia who meet the following criteria:

  • Have a primary degree from the UK, Ireland, US or Canada. You should also have full registration in the country that you received your primary degree.
  • Have completed the equivalent licensing exams i.e. PLAB I and II.
  • You should also have completed a full year of supervised practice in the UK, Ireland, US, NZ or Canada.
2. Specialist Pathway

This route is applicable for doctors pursing a more specialist field, which involves the following criteria:

  • Completed a specialist training program in another country, or are within two years of completing an accredited specialist training program.
  • Your qualification will be assessed by the equivalent Australasian College and any additional requirements can be identified in order for specialist registration to be granted.
3. Standard Pathway

The Standard Pathway applies if you do not fall into either of the previous categories, but have a medical degree from an institution listed in the WHO directory. You will need to complete the AMC assessment which includes an multiple-choice question exam and a clinical examination.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) have a registration self assessment tool on their website to help doctors moving from the UK to Australia to determine the appropriate pathway to registration.

Before the AHPRA approves applications, they ensure that applicants meet the requirements and are competent to practice up to Australia’s healthcare standards.

 

Obtaining your Visa

Once your registration is approved, you’ll need to obtain your visa to work in Australia. The Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (TSS Subclass 482) is the most common option for UK Doctors. This visa allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas to fill positions where there is a skill shortage. Many healthcare roles, including Doctors, Nurses, and AHP professionals, are on Australia’s skill shortage list, making this visa the go-to option for relocating Doctors.

To be eligible, you will need to be sponsored by an Australian hospital. This means that you will need to have a confirmed job offer. Athona work with specialised immigration partners and can organise 482 Visa sponsorship for Doctors with a turnaround time of around 6-8 weeks.

 

Australian Doctors salary vs the UK

One of the several draws for UK doctors moving to Australia is the potential salary improvement. The exact rate of pay depends on your location within the country and your level of experience, but a junior doctor in their second year can often expect between £43,000 – £49,000 – up to £15,000 more than in the UK.

All of our Australian doctor jobs include salary information on their respective job listing pages, and you can find out more via our Australian jobs hub.

 

Ready to make the move to Australia?

We currently have a variety of job opportunities available for acute doctors and psychiatrists in Australia. If you’re considering relocating to Australia, register your interest today.

One of our recruitment consultants will be in touch to provide you with more information and guide you through the next steps in your journey.