Working in Australia: the general practitioner guide

Medipeople • June 8, 2017

Working in Australia as a GP

Working in Australia as a General Practitioner (GP) is similar clinically to the UK. Most practices now are paperless so all patient records are accessed and recorded by doctors on computer. On average a practice will have 3 to 6 GP’s working full time and part time, with a practice nurse, treatment room, and some allied services such as Psychology, Physiotherapy and Pathology.

There are much larger practices that have up to 20 plus doctors and specialist consulting rooms on-site. They are generally owned by companies “corporates” or a group of doctors who have expanded over time. Solo GP practices still exist however mainly exclusive country and rural areas.

‘A dream job in a dream country’ – Jason Stevens, MRCGP

Billing and Earnings

When you’re working in Australia as a GP, you will find that some processes are working differently from e.g. the UK. The main difference between the UK GP practices and Australian GP practices is the way GP’s get paid. In Australia, practices can be private billing, bulk billing, or mixed billings. Private Billings means the practices charge its patients cash. Bulk billing is where the GP’s charge the patient through Medicare (Australia’s version of the NHS) for the consultation. Mixed billings are when a practice charges either private or private and bulk billings for the consultation. These mixed billing practices tend to “bulk bill” the elderly, concession holders, and children. The rest are privately billed. The money is then split between the practice and the GP as a percentage generally 65% of gross billings going to the GP.

This method has allowed GPs working in Australia to earn well over $250,000 (£150,000) per annum because of the income opportunity it presents. Even though the tax system is about 5% higher than the UK, Australian GP’s have a better tax advantage as they can leverage their income like a business (self-employed) and pay less tax at the end of the financial year. A good accountant who specialises in dealing with GP’s is highly recommended to maximise your income. Have a look at our article on how to build your patient base as well!

Eligibility

To be eligible to start working in Australia as a UK General Practitioner you must have the MRCGP (Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners) holding the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) issued by the Post Graduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) or the General Medical Council (GMC) or trained in Ireland and a graduate of the ICGP and hold MICGP.

Location Restrictions

The majority of overseas trained GP’s working in Australia are subject to District of Work Shortages (DWS) locations in order to be eligible for a provider number through Medicare. These areas are identified using the latest Medicare billing statistics, which are updated on an annual basis to account for changes in the composition and geographic distribution of the Australian medical workforce, and the latest residential population estimates as provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). DWS locations are mostly in outer metropolitan areas from about 30 minutes’ drive outside major cities.

Qualifications and Migration

The Practice Experience Program Specialist Stream provides a pathway for International Medical Graduates to start working in Australia based on an assessment of your previous training and experience in general practice.

The SPP visa pathway allows GPs to be living and working in Australia for up to 4 years via the TSS visa (dependant on the length of the job offer). It can be renewed multiple times, each time for up to four years, and allows dependents to be travelling, living and working in Australia with you for the same duration.

Eligibility for permanent residency in Australia is generally assessed on by taking into account a number of factors which can include:

Medical registration status
Type of job offer
Specific job demand
Relatives already living in Australia or NZ
Experience and/or qualifications

Each factor contributes a certain number of points and if you are able to satisfy the required amount then you may be eligible to apply.

Why Australia?

Australia has an excellent health system, great weather, strong economy, well paid jobs, and best of all, no NHS bureaucracy. Of course we are well known for our beaches, sport, wines, and great lifestyle. Most Australians are immigrants or the descendants of immigrants who arrived during the past two hundred years from more than 200 countries. It’s a great time to start working in Australia as a GP!

How Medipeople Can Help you start Working in Australia

Medipeople offers the widest choice of general practice jobs and a specialized, professional migration service dedicated to assisting general practitioners and their families with the relocation process to Australia. If you want to start working in Australia, we will take you through our proven, step-by-step process to make this process as hassle-free as possible for you.

We recruit General Practitioners for a wide variety of medical centres, private practices and other health facilities in Australia. Working with Medipeople you are guaranteed a choice of leading opportunities that match your requirements, advice regarding contracts and negotiation to make sure that you secure the best deal for your situation.

We will help you with all the steps you may need:

Fine tuning your resume
Finding, applying for and landing the job you want
Contract negotiations
Accommodation
Money matters
Battling your way through the immigration jungle
Getting your qualifications and skills recognized
Professional registration
Professional indemnity insurance
Securing the best financial and relocation package

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Fast-Track Pathway for UK Psychiatrists to Work in Australia

March 13, 2025

UK-based psychiatrists now have an exciting opportunity to fast-track their career in Australia through a new Expedited Specialist Pathway, designed to reduce barriers and help internationally trained specialists transition seamlessly into the Australian healthcare system. Medipeople is on hand to secure your job in Australia and guide you through the registration, visa and relocation process. From 23 December 2024, psychiatrists with UK qualifications will be able to apply directly for specialist registration with Ahpra (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) and the Medical Board of Australia, enabling them to begin practicing sooner and contribute their expertise to Australian patients. Eligibility for Psychiatrists UK psychiatrists are eligible if they hold the following qualifications: Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych) Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Psychiatry Awarded under an approved RCPsych curriculum (from August 2007 onwards) after satisfactory completion of a GMC- or Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board-approved psychiatry training program in the UK. This pathway allows highly skilled psychiatrists to transition quickly into Australia's healthcare workforce, ensuring access to critical mental health services for patients across the country. Why Consider Australia? Australia offers: A world-class healthcare system with excellent professional development opportunities. Competitive remuneration packages and benefits. The chance to live and work in vibrant cities or picturesque regional areas, with a lifestyle renowned for its balance of work, leisure, and outdoor living. The Application Process The Expedited Specialist Pathway builds on the success of the October launch for general practitioners, which saw 96 UK-based GPs apply within two months, with 80% of applicants already progressing through the system. Similar efficiency is anticipated for psychiatrists, making this pathway a reliable and attractive option. What’s Next? The Expedited Specialist Pathway will soon expand to include other specialties such as general medicine, general paediatrics, and diagnostic radiology, providing more opportunities for UK specialists to join the Australian medical workforce. This initiative reflects the commitment to making it easier for professionals from comparable healthcare systems, such as the UK, to relocate and practice in Australia. Start your journey today and be part of a healthcare system that values your expertise. Applications open 23 December 2024.

Updated: Fast-Track AHPRA Registration for General Practitioners

By Chris Tsolakis • March 5, 2025

AHPRA has launched the Fast-Track Specialist Pathway , providing a streamlined process for internationally qualified GPs and other medical specialists to obtain specialist registration in Australia. This new pathway is significantly faster and more cost-effective than traditional routes, reducing the time to start practicing in Australia from 12 months to approximately 4–6 months. At Medipeople, we are actively supporting GPs through this new process and ensuring smooth transitions into high-quality medical positions across Australia. Latest Updates March 2025 – Key Highlights & First Approvals The first successful Fast-Track application was approved in December 2024 after a two-month processing period, setting a promising precedent for future applicants. GPs must still complete visa and Medicare provider number processing before starting work. As more applications are processed, the timeline and requirements are expected to become even more efficient. Eligibility Criteria & Accepted Qualifications This pathway is currently open to GPs with qualifications from the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand, including: MRCGP + CCT (UK) – from 2007 onwards MICGP + CSCST (Ireland) – from 2009 onwards FRNZCGP (New Zealand) – from 2012 onwards Additional specialties such as anaesthetics, obstetrics, and psychiatry are expected to be added in December 2024. How the Fast-Track AHPRA Pathway Works Key Steps in the Application Process: Specialist Registration (With Conditions) – Bypass the RACGP assessment and apply directly to the Medical Board of Australia. Supervised Practice (6 Months) – Includes orientation, cultural safety training, and workplace-based assessments. Workplace-Based Assessments – Supervision reports required at 3 and 6 months. Full Specialist Registration – Following completion of supervised practice and assessments. Processing Timeframe: AHPRA assessment: 6–8 weeks Overall process (including AMC, EPIC, visa & Medicare): 4–6 months This is a significant improvement over the traditional RACGP PEP Specialist Pathway, which takes 9–12 months. Key Considerations for GPs Supervision & Job Requirements You must secure a job offer before submitting your application. A supervisor must be nominated by your employer as part of the process. The supervised practice plan is more detailed than traditional pathways, requiring specific training activities. Does This Avoid the 10-Year Moratorium? No, GPs on this pathway must work in a DPA area or secure a 19AB exemption. Exception: New Zealand medical graduates who were citizens or permanent residents on the first day of medical school are exempt from the moratorium. Next Steps: How Medipeople Can Help At Medipeople, we specialise in assisting UK, Irish, and NZ-trained GPs with navigating the Fast-Track AHPRA Pathway, securing roles in trusted, high-net-worth practices across Australia. We provide expert guidance on the AHPRA, visa, and Medicare process. We match you with top-tier GP roles in sought-after locations. We ensure seamless supervision arrangements with practices that support international GPs. Get Started Today! To find out more about how Medipeople can help you secure a fast-tracked GP role in Australia, get in touch today!