Visas for doctors and nurses
There is currently a shortage of doctors and nurses in Australia, particularly in regional areas. Australia cannot meet the demand for skilled health professionals from within its own borders as life expectancies increase and more people need health care.
Visa options for doctors
Requirements for practice
Doctors who wish to practice in Australia must first be registered with the Medical Board in the state or territory in which they intend to practice. The Australian state and territory medical boards are responsible for the registration of all medical practitioners in Australia.
Once a visa is granted, doctors must apply to the Health Insurance Commission for a Medicare Provider Number if they will be working in general practice or will be prescribing drugs.
Full details on registration requirements and Medicare are available on the DoctorConnect website – an Australian government initiative designed to assist both doctors who have trained outside Australia and Australian health providers.
DoctorConnect provides a checklist for overseas trained doctors (OTD) wanting to work in Australia. The tasks listed can be started prior to an OTD’s move to Australia:
- Satisfy Australian Medical Council (AMC) English language proficiency requirements.
- General practitioners (GPs/family physicians) must pass the AMC exam consisting of theory and clinical components.
- Hospital non-specialists must meet the specific registration requirements of the relevant State or Territory Medical Board for an Area of Need position.
- Specialists must apply to the relevant Specialist Medical College for recognition as a specialist via the AMC.
- Apply for a visa and pass required character/police and medical checks.
- Identify an appropriate job. (Most OTDs will initially have to work in an Area of Need position).
- Apply to the relevant State/Territory Medical Board for medical registration.
- Obtain medical indemnity cover in Australia.
Temporary and permanent visa options for doctors
Doctors who do not yet hold full medical registration in Australia can be employed and sponsored as a temporary resident while they are in the process of meeting the requirements to obtain full medical registration, while there are several different permanent visas available for doctors who have full medical registration in Australia.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) outlines the pathways for all temporary and permanent visa options for doctors on its website.
Visa options for nurses
Working in Australia as a nurse
The DIAC states that nurses are in high demand across Australia and are eligible for temporary and permanent visa options, with most nursing applications receiving priority processing.
Nurses must be in good health and meet required levels of education and experience. To work in a hospital or other health care area, nurses must pass a health examination, which includes a chest x-ray.
To work in Australia, nurses must be assessed by either the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council (ANMC) or the nurse regulatory body in the state or territory in which they want to work.
Visa options for nurses
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) outlines the pathways for all temporary and permanent visa options for nurses on its website.
In addition to traditional permanent and temporary options, nurses are eligible for working holiday visas and occupational trainee visas. Travelling nurses must adhere to the same regulations as stationery nurses, but gain the experience of working in more than one Australian city or town.
