Moving to Australia as a GP is one of the most rewarding career moves an overseas doctor can make. Australia has strong, ongoing demand for general practitioners, especially outside the major cities. For GPs trained in the United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand, registration has become faster since the Expedited Specialist Pathway opened to general practice in October 2024.

Over the years, we have supported many international medical graduates through the move, from the first registration questions to their first week in an Australian practice. This guide brings together what we have learned. It explains the two main specialist registration pathways for overseas GPs, what supervised practice involves, and the visas, Medicare rules, GP salary in Australia and opportunities across every state.

One point is worth making early: eligibility depends on your qualifications and experience, not on your country alone. Two GPs from the same country can follow different pathways depending on the qualification they hold and how their training is assessed.

Rules change from time to time, so we link to the official sources throughout. Always confirm your individual situation with the relevant authority before you make decisions.

Why Australia Needs Overseas GPs

General practice is the front door of Australia’s health system. Patients see their GP for everything from chronic disease management and mental health to women’s health, children’s health and aged care. Demand keeps growing, while many communities, especially in regional and rural areas, struggle to attract enough doctors.

International medical graduates already make up a large part of the Australian GP workforce, and the Australian Government has taken steps to make it easier for experienced GPs from comparable health systems to join them. For overseas doctors, that means real career opportunities in Australia: permanent roles, doctor locum work, rural practice, and the chance to build a long-term life here.

Two Pathways for Overseas Specialist GPs

Every doctor who practises in Australia must be registered with the Medical Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). For overseas GPs who already hold a specialist general practice qualification, there are two main routes to specialist registration:

1. The Expedited Specialist Pathway, for GPs who hold one of a small number of specific accepted qualifications
2. The RACGP Practice Experience Program – Specialist stream (PEP Specialist), for overseas-trained GPs whose qualifications and experience are assessed as comparable to an Australian GP

Whichever route you take, moving to Australia as a GP includes a period of supervised practice. Which pathway applies to you depends on the exact qualification you hold and your experience.

Pathway 1: The Expedited Specialist Pathway

The Expedited Specialist Pathway opened to general practice on 21 October 2024. It lets eligible GPs apply directly to the Medical Board for specialist registration in general practice, without first going through an individual college comparability assessment.

The accepted GP qualifications are:

• United Kingdom: MRCGP with a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in general practice
• Ireland: MICGP with a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training (CSCST) in general practice
• New Zealand: FRNZCGP (Fellowship of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners)

Each qualification has curriculum date conditions, and you need the exact qualification listed. For example, a UK GP with a CESR or Portfolio Pathway certificate rather than a CCT may not be eligible for this pathway, but may be able to use the PEP Specialist pathway instead. Always check Ahpra’s current Expedited Specialist Pathway accepted qualifications list before applying.

New Zealand-registered doctors may also be able to use the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition arrangements, depending on their registration type and where they trained. New Zealand citizens can generally live and work in Australia without a sponsored work visa.

Canadian GPs: the CCFP is not currently on the Expedited Specialist Pathway list for general practice. Canadian family physicians usually apply through the PEP Specialist pathway below.

Pathway 2: The RACGP PEP Specialist Pathway

The Practice Experience Program – Specialist stream is run by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). It is the main route for overseas-trained specialist GPs who are not eligible for the Expedited Specialist Pathway, and it is how many doctors approach moving to Australia as a GP.

It starts with a specialist comparability assessment. The RACGP reviews your specialist qualification, training and recent general practice experience, and decides whether you are:

• Substantially comparable: your training and experience closely match an Australian specialist GP. You complete a period of supervised practice in Australia before Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP).
• Partially comparable: your training and experience are similar but have some gaps. You complete supervised practice plus additional requirements, which may include RACGP Fellowship assessments.
• Not comparable: you may need to consider another pathway, such as the AMC Standard Pathway followed by general practice training.

GPs from many countries use this pathway, including Canada, South Africa, India and Sri Lanka, among others. The outcome depends on your specific qualification and experience, not your country. For example, the RACGP lists eligible curricula and requires recent general practice experience before assessment. Check the RACGP’s current eligibility criteria for your qualification.

If English is not the main language of your medical education, you will also need to meet the Medical Board’s English language skills registration standard, usually through IELTS (Academic) or OET.

What Supervised Practice Involves

Supervised practice is a key part of moving to Australia as a GP, and it is often the part overseas doctors ask us about most.

• What it is: a period of working in an approved Australian general practice under the oversight of an experienced, registered GP supervisor.
• How long: usually around six months on the Expedited Specialist Pathway. On the PEP Specialist pathway, it varies with your comparability outcome.
• What it covers: getting familiar with Australian clinical guidelines, prescribing (including the PBS), Medicare billing, referral pathways and local systems. It also includes orientation and cultural safety education, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
• Where: in a practice that can provide appropriate GP supervision. This is one reason it matters to find the right practice before you arrive.

Good supervision makes the transition smoother. When we match overseas GPs with practices, we check that appropriate supervision arrangements are in place from day one.

The Steps to Moving to Australia as a GP

While every case is different, most overseas GPs follow a similar sequence:

1. Confirm your pathway. Check your qualification against Ahpra’s Expedited Specialist Pathway list, or apply for an RACGP specialist comparability assessment.
2. Primary source verification. Have your qualifications verified, usually through the AMC portfolio and the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (EPIC) service.
3. Secure a position with supervision. Both pathways require a role in an approved Australian practice with GP supervision in place.
4. Apply for registration. Submit your application to Ahpra and the Medical Board of Australia.
5. Apply for your visa. Usually employer-sponsored, and often handled alongside registration.
6. Medicare provider number. Apply through Services Australia, and check any Medicare billing restrictions that apply.
7. Arrive, orient and start practising. Complete orientation and supervised practice, then build your Australian career.

Starting early makes a real difference when moving to Australia as a GP. Most GPs we work with begin planning six to twelve months before their intended move.

Visas and Australia Sponsorship Visa Jobs

For most doctors, moving to Australia as a GP means coming on an employer-sponsored visa, which is why many search for Australia sponsorship visa jobs.

• Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482). This replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in December 2024. It allows an approved employer to sponsor you for a specific role.
• Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186). A permanent visa, available through employer nomination when you meet the requirements.
• Skilled visas (such as subclasses 189 and 190). Points-tested permanent visas that some doctors may be eligible for.

New Zealand citizens can generally live and work in Australia without a sponsored visa.

Migration to Australia involves detailed requirements that change regularly. We recommend getting advice from a registered migration agent and checking the Department of Home Affairs website for current visa options and occupation lists.

Medicare and Where You Can Work

To bill Medicare as a GP, you need a Medicare provider number for each practice location.

Most overseas-trained doctors are also subject to section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act. This generally requires them to work in a Distribution Priority Area (DPA) to access Medicare benefits, for up to 10 years from their first Australian medical registration (the “10-year moratorium”). Doctors who work in more rural and remote areas may be able to reduce this period through a scaling arrangement.

DPA status is based on the Modified Monash Model and other factors, and classifications are updated from time to time. Always check a location’s current status on the Health Workforce Locator before accepting a role.

This is one reason why many overseas GPs begin their Australian careers in regional and rural medical centres, which are often where the strongest demand and best packages are.

GP Salary in Australia: What Can You Earn?

GP income in Australia varies widely, so there is no single answer to “what is the GP salary in Australia?” Earnings depend on:

• Billing model: bulk billing, private billing or mixed billing
• Location: regional and rural practices often offer higher packages and incentives
• Arrangement: many GPs work as independent contractors and receive a percentage of their billings (commonly around 60–70%), while others are on a salary or a guaranteed hourly rate
• Hours and patient load: full-time or part-time, sessions per week, and special interests

As a general guide, many full-time GPs in Australia earn between roughly AUD $200,000 and $350,000 or more a year. Experienced GPs in high-demand regional areas can earn well above this. Doctor locum work is usually paid as a daily or hourly rate, which is often higher in regional and remote areas.

For current market benchmarks, read our guide to Locum GP Rates in Australia 2026.

Figures are indicative only and depend on the individual role, practice and location.

Where Are the Opportunities?

Melbourne and other major cities

Many GPs hope to work in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, and there are job opportunities in Melbourne and other capitals. However, most metropolitan areas are not Distribution Priority Areas. That means overseas-trained GPs under the 10-year moratorium often have fewer options in inner-city locations, at least at first. Some outer-metropolitan areas may be classified as DPAs, so it is worth checking specific locations.

Regional and rural Australia

Regional and rural Australia is where demand is strongest, in every state and territory. Many regional practices offer:

• Competitive packages and higher earning potential
• Government and practice incentives for rural work
• Broader clinical experience, sometimes including procedural or hospital work
• A strong sense of community and a better work-life balance

For many doctors, moving to Australia as a GP and starting in a regional practice turns out to be the best decision they made. Many would not trade the lifestyle for city life.

GP Opportunities Across Australia, State by State

Moving to Australia as a GP does not have to mean one particular city or state. Medcare works with practices right across Australia. Here is a snapshot of where overseas GPs commonly find opportunities. These are examples of regions, not a list of confirmed DPAs. Always check the specific location on the Health Workforce Locator.

Victoria

Regional centres such as Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Warrnambool, Mildura and the Latrobe Valley, along with towns across Gippsland and the Goulburn Valley. Victoria combines strong regional demand with easy access to Melbourne.

New South Wales

The Central West (Dubbo, Orange, Parkes), New England and the North West (Tamworth, Armidale, Moree), the Riverina (Wagga Wagga, Griffith), and coastal communities on the Mid North Coast and South Coast.

Queensland

Regional centres along the coast, such as Bundaberg, Mackay, Rockhampton and Townsville, and inland communities across the Darling Downs (Toowoomba, Dalby, Roma) and Central Queensland.

Western Australia

The South West (Bunbury, Busselton, Albany), the Wheatbelt and Goldfields (Kalgoorlie, Esperance), and the Pilbara and Kimberley (Karratha, Broome). The more remote locations often offer attractive packages.

South Australia

Regional areas including Mount Gambier, Port Lincoln, Whyalla and Port Augusta, the Riverland (Berri, Renmark), and the Barossa and Clare valleys.

Tasmania

The whole of Tasmania is classified as a Distribution Priority Area for GPs. There are opportunities in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie, and in smaller communities across the state.

Northern Territory

Like Tasmania, the Northern Territory is classified as a Distribution Priority Area. GPs work in Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine, as well as in remote Aboriginal community health services, which can be among the most rewarding roles in Australian general practice.

Locum work

Doctor locum work suits GPs who want flexibility, want to explore different parts of Australia before settling, or prefer short-term placements. Locum roles still need to meet registration and Medicare requirements, including section 19AB where it applies.

Life in Australia as a GP

Beyond career opportunities in Australia, many doctors moving to Australia as a GP are drawn by the lifestyle. They mention outdoor living, a good climate, quality schools, safe communities, and a health system that values general practice. Organisations such as the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the RACGP offer professional support, education and community for doctors once they arrive.

How Medcare Supports Overseas GPs

Medcare by Caretakers Australia helps international medical graduates find the right general practice roles across metropolitan, regional and rural Australia.

We take the time to understand what you are looking for: the location, type of practice, billing model and lifestyle that suit you and your family. We are upfront about the opportunities available, and we support you from your first questions about registration through to settling into your new practice.

• Locum and permanent GP opportunities across Australia
• Support with registration and compliance steps
• Matching with practices that suit your experience and goals, with appropriate GP supervision in place
• Ongoing support once you arrive

Thinking about moving to Australia as a GP? Talk to our team today.Call 03 9419 4814 or email medcare@caretakersaustralia.com.au to start the conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a UK GP work in Australia?

Yes. UK GPs with MRCGP and a CCT in general practice may be eligible for the Expedited Specialist Pathway, which allows them to apply for specialist registration in Australia and complete a period of supervised practice after arriving. Check Ahpra’s accepted qualifications list for the exact requirements.

Is the Expedited Specialist Pathway open to Canadian GPs?

Not currently for general practice. Canadian family physicians with CCFP usually apply through the RACGP’s specialist comparability assessment and the Practice Experience Program – Specialist stream.

What is the PEP Specialist pathway?

The RACGP Practice Experience Program – Specialist stream is for overseas-trained GPs who are not eligible for the Expedited Specialist Pathway. The RACGP assesses whether your qualifications and experience are substantially or partially comparable to an Australian GP. You then complete supervised practice, plus any extra requirements, before Fellowship.

Is eligibility based on my country?

No. Eligibility depends on the specific qualification you hold and your experience, not your country alone. GPs from countries such as South Africa, India and Sri Lanka may be eligible for the PEP Specialist pathway, depending on their individual assessment.

What is supervised practice?

Supervised practice is a period of working in an approved Australian general practice under the oversight of an experienced GP supervisor. It is usually around six months on the Expedited Specialist Pathway and varies on the PEP Specialist pathway. It helps you settle into Australian clinical guidelines, prescribing and Medicare billing.

How much do GPs earn in Australia?

GP salaries in Australia vary with location, billing model and hours. Many full-time GPs earn roughly AUD $200,000 to $350,000 or more a year, and regional roles often pay more. Figures are indicative only.

Do overseas GPs have to work in rural areas?

Most overseas-trained doctors are subject to section 19AB, which generally requires them to work in a Distribution Priority Area to bill Medicare for up to 10 years. Many DPAs are regional or rural, although DPA status depends on each location and is updated from time to time.

What visa do overseas GPs need?

Most overseas GPs come on an employer-sponsored visa, such as the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), and may later apply for permanent residence. New Zealand citizens can generally work in Australia without a sponsored visa. Seek advice from a registered migration agent for your situation.

How long does moving to Australia as a GP take?

It depends on your pathway. GPs on the Expedited Specialist Pathway can often complete registration faster than those who need an RACGP comparability assessment. Most doctors we support start planning six to twelve months before their intended move.

Which Australian states can I work in as an overseas GP?

Opportunities exist in every state and territory, including regional Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Where you can bill Medicare depends on whether a location is a Distribution Priority Area. Tasmania and the Northern Territory are classified as DPAs throughout.

Can I work as a locum GP in Australia?

Yes. Locum work is available across Australia once you are registered, but it must still meet Medicare requirements, including any section 19AB restrictions that apply to you.

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