Working in Australia as a doctor

Thousands of health professionals come tocountry. This pathway is also dependent on the
Australia each year looking for a new start, sun,relevant medical training college in Australia - as
sand, and the surf. Some even master surfing -they will be the body responsible for assessing
but more learn how to fall from a surfboard! Theyour qualifications and experience before
sheer danger of some of the parts of ourrecommending you to be registered in Australia.
country is tempered by the absolute beauty andAs medical registration is a state based matter,
impressiveness of the natural features and verythe rules vary from state to state.
unique animals of Australia.When you apply for a position in Australia, the
In Australia, we are exceptionally outgoing,recruitment company or hospital you are dealing
confident, and always happy. Our personality, andwith will generally assist you through the
the tendency to light-heartedly make fun ofregistration process.
others sometimes bewilders, or shocksWorking Visas
international visitors.Australia has very strict immigration policies, which
This article is the start of a series relating to howare governed by the Australian Department of
to start working in Australia as a healthImmigration and Citizenship. Depending on your
professional, and what you can do to get here -country of origin, there are a number of visas
and have a successful career.that may be appropriate for you. The most
I have helped thousands of health professionalscommon method of entry, though, is the 457
find work in Australia, and my company BeatTemporary Business (Long Stay) Visa ( This visa
Medical focusses on employment for doctors,requires sponsorship from an employer, and quite
dentists, physiotherapists, psychologists, seniora detailed process for entry. It is relatively
nurses, and health managers. This article relatesstraightforward, though, and most can be
specifically to doctors.managed online.
The focus of this article is about what types ofWorking conditions
jobs are available in Australia, and what type ofIn Australia, the general working hours a 38-40
working conditions you can generally expect.hours per week (0800-1700). As you can imagine,
About the Australian Health Systemhowever, the working hours for a doctor are
The health system in Australia is largely asignificantly different from the norm.
government funded, public healthcare system. It isIt is quite variable, but you can expect to work
of a very high standard, but is supplemented inan additional 20 hours or so per week in overtime
part by a private healthcare system (funded by(which is generally paid at a higher rate). Those
private paying patients, and health insuranceworking in shift-work (for example in Emergency
companies).or Intensive Care) will work four or five twelve
It is not mandatory to have health insurance inhour shifts per week, as well as some overtime.
Australia, as all citizens, and permanent residentsThe pay is quite variable, as it is state-based.
are covered by the Medicare ( system - which isHowever, the salaries in Australia are quite
a federally funded system available to everyone.significant in comparison to many other countries.
Healthcare is administered by the individual statesThey are generally considered appropriate in
around Australia through Public Hospitals. Visitorsrelation to the cost of living in Australia.
Australia from the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands,In broad terms, as a resident you can expect to
Finland, Norway, Malta, New Zealand, Republic ofearn a base (before overtime) salary of between
Ireland, and Italy are entitled to a limited amount$60-70k per annum. As a registrar, $75-90k per
of free healthcare in Australia.annum, and a consultant $150k + per annum.
Many Australians choose to take out privateThese figures are open to significant variation, and
health insurance to supplement what the publicsimply provide a guide.
system provides. This usually enables an individualIn Australia, employers are legally required to
to have their choice of doctor, and to stay in acontribute at least 9% of your salary towards a
private facility.superannuation (retirement) fund. You have
Most employment as a doctor in Australia is in acomplete control over how this fund is managed.
public hospital. There are different terms used inYou may be able to claim all of this money back
each region, but essentially there are four levelsif you depart Australia. Otherwise, it cannot be
of doctor.accessed until you are retirement age.
Interns are undergoing a supervised training year.Taxation in Australia is relatively high, as we have
Residents are fully registered doctors, working ina very high level of social services funded by the
a general rotational position in a hospital.government. Go to the Australian Taxation Office
Registrars are taking part in a speciality training(ATO) website for more information. You would
program (equivalent to a resident in the USA).generally be considered resident for taxation
Consultants are qualified specialists.purposes if you are here for an extended period.
You would most likely be considering a position inHow to find a position
one of the last three categories.You can find a position through many of the job
Medical Registration in Australiawebsites such as or You can also access the
The Australian Medical Council ( oversees theindividual health department websites, which all
entry of international medical graduates into thehave job search engines.
Australian system. They have a veryThere are a number of recruitment agencies in
comprehensive and informative website, whichAustralia who can assist you with the process of
you should review for information on how tofinding a position, and dealing with medical
become registered in Australia.registration, working visas, relocation, and contract
The Competent Authority model is one of thenegotiation. Not all companies are the same, or
most straightforward ways to become registeredoffer the same level of service and quality. You
in Australia. If your primary medical training wasshould never pay a recruitment company in
undertaken any of these countries, you areAustralia (they should charge the employer).
generally not required to complete anyWe can be contacted at any time on +61 2 8014
examinations to start work in Australia:?0175, via au, through skype (user name: beat
United States of Americamedical), our our website
United KingdomWe offer a no-obligation consultation, and will
Canadawork with you to access the
New Zealand‘hidden’, unadvertised employment
Irelandmarket - which is often where the best jobs are
The standard pathway requires that youfound.
complete a multiple choice, and sometimes aNext time:
clinical examination before commencing work in anHow to write a stand out resume (the Australian
Australian state.way!). Yes, there is an Australian way to write a
The specialist pathway is for doctors who areresume (C.V). It may mean the difference
trained as a medical specialist in their homebetween an interview - or no interview.