International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
Your Pathway to Practising as a GP in Australia
Thinking about moving to Australia as an International Medical Graduate (IMG) GP? Medcare by Caretakers Australia supports overseas-trained GPs through the journey, from understanding your potential registration and Fellowship pathway to finding the right Australian practice and planning your move.
Whether you're planning your move in the next few months or 6–12 months from now, starting early can give you more time to understand your options and find the right opportunity.
Why Australia?
Australia continues to offer strong opportunities for GPs across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities. For international GPs, Australia can offer:
- Strong demand across general practices
- Metropolitan, regional, rural and remote opportunities
- Competitive remuneration
- Opportunities to pursue Australian GP Fellowship
- Professional and career development opportunities
- High-quality healthcare facilities
- Diverse lifestyle and family options
The right location and practice will depend on your registration pathway, Fellowship requirements, experience and personal circumstances.
Which pathway is right for you?
There is no single pathway for every IMG GP. Your pathway depends on your medical qualification, GP or specialist training, registration history, clinical experience and individual circumstances — not simply the country where you trained.
Competent Authority Pathway
The Competent Authority pathway is available to eligible IMGs who meet the Medical Board's requirements through a recognised competent authority. Eligible candidates can progress toward general registration without completing the AMC examinations through this pathway, subject to the relevant requirements and supervised practice.
Standard Pathway
The Standard pathway is generally for IMGs who do not qualify through the Competent Authority pathway or an applicable specialist pathway. Depending on your circumstances, the pathway can involve AMC assessment and examination requirements before progressing toward registration.
Specialist Pathway
If you already hold an overseas specialist GP qualification, you may be able to pursue a specialist pathway. Your overseas training and qualifications are assessed against Australian requirements, with additional assessment, supervised practice or other requirements applying depending on the outcome.
Expedited Specialist Pathway
International Medical Graduates with accepted overseas specialist qualifications. General practice is included in the current Expedited Specialist pathway arrangements. However, eligibility depends on your specific specialist qualification and individual circumstances. Being a GP from a particular country does not automatically mean you qualify. The Expedited Specialist pathway provides a streamlined pathway for eligible specialist GPs.
Registration and Australian GP Fellowship are not necessarily the same process. Depending on your qualifications and experience, you may also need to consider an RACGP Fellowship pathway.
Specialist GP Fellowship & Training Pathways for IMGs
Practice Experience Program – Specialist
PEP Specialist is an important pathway for eligible overseas-trained specialist GPs. RACGP assesses your training and experience against an Australian-trained specialist GP. Your assessment may result in:
- Substantially Comparable (SC) — your training and experience are assessed as substantially comparable to an Australian-trained GP; you may still have specific practice, supervision, education or assessment requirements to complete
- Partially Comparable (PC) — your training and experience are assessed as partially comparable; additional requirements may be required to address identified gaps before progressing toward Fellowship
Important: Substantially Comparable and Partially Comparable are individual assessment outcomes — they are not country classifications. Your qualifications, specialist training, clinical experience, assessment history, continuity of practice and other relevant factors are considered.
Fellowship Support Program
The FSP is an RACGP pathway for eligible IMGs working toward Australian GP Fellowship. It can be relevant to doctors who are not entering the PEP Specialist pathway and who need a structured pathway toward Fellowship.
Australian General Practice Training
AGPT provides a structured Australian GP training pathway for eligible doctors. It can be relevant to IMGs who want to undertake Australian GP training rather than relying solely on an overseas specialist qualification.
Rural and Remote Medicine
For eligible doctors interested in rural and remote medicine, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) provides specialist training and Fellowship pathways. This may be particularly relevant if you're considering a long-term career in rural or remote Australia.
DPA and MMM: Why location matters
If you're an IMG GP, you'll often hear about DPA and MMM when looking at Australian GP positions.
DPA — Distribution Priority Area
DPA classifications identify areas of Australia with GP workforce distribution needs.
MMM — Modified Monash Model
The MMM classification describes the geographical location and remoteness of Australian communities.
Your registration, Fellowship pathway and employment circumstances can affect which locations are available to you. That's why choosing a practice should come after understanding your pathway, not before.
MedCare can help you identify opportunities that align with your professional requirements and preferred lifestyle. Talk to our friendly team today!
Your pathway. Your practice. Your future.
How MedCare supports IMG GPs
Understand your pathway
We learn about your qualifications, registration, GP experience and career plans and help you understand which Australian pathways you may need to explore.
Plan your move
We discuss your preferred timing, location, employment goals and relocation requirements.
- Starting 6–12 months before arrival can give you more time to plan
Find the right practice
We identify suitable GP opportunities across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australia.
Meet the practice
We facilitate introductions, interviews and discussions around the role, location, remuneration and working arrangements.
Prepare to start
We coordinate the recruitment process around your registration, Fellowship and other requirements, working alongside the appropriate professionals where specialist advice is required.
Australian GP opportunities
We recruit for both permanent and locum GP positions.
Permanent opportunities
Suitable for GPs looking for a long-term Australian career, established patient bases, professional development and potential progression opportunities.
Locum opportunities
Suitable for doctors seeking flexibility, short-term assignments or an opportunity to experience different Australian locations before committing to a permanent position.
Remuneration
Remuneration varies according to location, billing model, experience, practice arrangements and individual contracts.
Visa and relocation
Your medical registration and visa are separate processes. Where migration advice is required, we work alongside a registered migration professional who can advise you and your family about the visa options applicable to your circumstances. We can coordinate the employment side of your journey so your job search, registration and relocation planning can progress together.
Why start 6–12 months before arrival?
You don't need to wait until you're in Australia to start looking for your first GP position. Starting early gives you time to:
- Understand your potential pathway
- Prepare documentation
- Explore Fellowship requirements
- Consider suitable locations
- Compare practices
- Interview before relocating
- Coordinate employment and migration planning
- Prepare your family for the move
The earlier we understand your profile, the earlier we can start looking for the right opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sit the AMC exams?
Not necessarily. Eligible IMGs on the Competent Authority pathway do not need to complete the AMC examinations through that pathway. Other candidates may need the Standard pathway or another applicable route. Your individual circumstances determine the requirements.
Can an overseas GP use the Expedited Specialist pathway?
Potentially. General practice is included in the current Expedited Specialist pathway arrangements, but eligibility depends on your specific overseas specialist qualification and the applicable Medical Board requirements.
What is PEP Specialist?
PEP Specialist is an RACGP pathway for eligible specialist international medical graduates. RACGP assesses your training and experience and may determine that you are Substantially Comparable or Partially Comparable.
What does Substantially Comparable mean?
It means your training and experience are assessed as substantially comparable to an Australian-trained GP. Additional requirements may still apply.
What does Partially Comparable mean?
It means your training and experience are assessed as partially comparable and you may need additional education, supervision, assessment or practice requirements.
Do I have to work rurally?
Not necessarily. However, some IMG and Fellowship pathways have location requirements. Your pathway should be considered before choosing a practice.
Do I need a PESCI?
Some IMG GP registration circumstances may require a Pre-Employment Structured Clinical Interview (PESCI). Whether it applies depends on your individual registration pathway and proposed practice.
Can you help with my visa?
We can coordinate the employment process with a registered migration professional. Immigration advice should be provided by the appropriate migration professional.
Can my family move with me?
Family relocation can be considered as part of your planning. Visa eligibility and requirements should be discussed with your registered migration professional.
When should I contact Medcare?
Ideally 6–12 months before you plan to arrive. Even if you're still exploring your options, an early conversation can help you understand what needs to happen before you can start working in Australia.
Start Your Australian GP Journey
Whether you're already registered, considering PEP Specialist, exploring the Expedited Specialist pathway, preparing for the Standard or Competent Authority pathway, or simply planning your move to Australia — we're here to help you explore your employment options. Tell us about your qualifications, experience and plans.