FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers

  • Why does Australia and New Zealand need overseas qualified doctors?
    As is the case in many OECD countries, the demand for health services is increasing every day and as a consequence, Australia and New Zealand have a shortage of doctors and allied health professionals, especially in outer metropolitan, regional and rural areas. The governments of these countries have created special programs to deal with these shortages. These programs allow employers to recruit International Medical Graduates (IMGs) into jobs which they have been unable to fill by local medical practitioners.

  • Do I need to pay a fee for using your services?
    Our services are free to the candidate as usually the hospital, practice or facility pays our recruitment fee.

  • What is the approximate time from receiving a job offer to starting work?
    The length of time it takes from being offered a position to commencing work can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 1 year. This depends on such factors as; country you are applying from, location you are going to, your qualifications and if these require further assessment by the Australian Medical Council and relevant College.

  • Who will pay for my relocation?
    Some facilities may provide assistance to doctors with their relocation expenses. This depends on the policies of the individual facility. Generally metropolitan based hospitals do not provide relocation allowance. It is offered as an incentive by a facilities in a more rural or remote areas. Ask your Medacs Australia consultant what provisions are available once you have applied for a position.

  • Will accommodation be provided?
    This will depend on the facility, location, and your position. The majority of hospitals in Australia and New Zealand will provide some form of temporary accommodation when you first arrive. This can include staff quarters at the hospital, furnished apartments or hotels/motels. Ask your Medacs Australia consultant for information about a particular hospital's policies.

  • What medical insurance is there for me and my family in Australia?

    Some countries are entitled to restricted health care (Medicare) while in Australia, however you are strongly advised to investigate Private Health Insurance either before you leave, or once you arrive in Australia. For many employers, obtaining Private Health Insurance will be a prerequisite to commencing work. Please contact us for further information and a list of recommended health care providers.

  • Who pays for the medical registration and immigration fees and charges?
    You are responsible for paying for your registration fees and visa charges; however some employers are happy to reimburse these expenses should you complete your contract in full. Please note that these fees are also tax deductible.

  • Is my current medical registration (licence) valid?
    Your current medical registration (licence to practice) is not recognised in Australia and New Zealand. Your qualifications and experience will be assessed by the relevant medical board to obtain a 'conditional' or 'restricted' registration only. This will allow you to work for your employer in the nominated position only.

  • Will I be eligible for registration with my current qualifications and experience?
    Your eligibility will depend on the position and the country in which you have gained your qualifications. In general, non-specialist doctors will qualify if they have training and experience in a comparable health system, are of good standing and are proficient in English. Specialists must be either Board Certified or Fellows of their respective specialty college. General practitioners will need four years or more post-graduate training or experience to be able to work in Australia. In order to assess your eligibility for registration in Australia, please visit our self-assessment tool here (link to our – Self-Assessment Tool).
    In New Zealand, eligibility is similar to that of Australia; however there are differences in the requirements regarding experience in a similar medical system, specialist recognition and English language proficiency. In order to assess your eligibility for registration in New Zealand, please visit our self-assessment tool here (link to our – Self-Assessment Tool).

  • Do I need character checks/police clearances?
    Depending on your destination and/or class of visa, you may be required to obtain/submit police clearances in order to confirm your employment offer or obtain a visa. Medacs Australia will advise you of these requirements.

  • What medical tests will I need to undertake?
    You will need to undertake full medicals as part of the visa requirements to work in Australia. These will include:
    • X-rays
    • HIV
    • Hepatitis B
    • Hepatitis C
    Medicals are also required to work in New Zealand for stays of 12 months or longer.

  • Can I extend my visa?
    Depending on your visa category; visas are generally valid for up to 4 years with the same employer and can be extended after this period. If you are offered a position at another facility and/or area health service, you will need to re-apply for another visa as your employer will have changed. Please contact us if you wish to discuss these details further.

  • What’s involved in applying for doctor jobs in Australia and New Zealand?
    Once you have been offered a position, we will work closely with you and the hospital/practice to gain your medical registration, sponsorship and visa. We are here to help you every step of the way, so you don’t have to worry!

    If you have not already done so, please register with us now so we can get started in finding you a suitable position.


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