Moving from the UK to Australia as a Doctor

More UK doctors are heading to Australia than ever before — and the pathway is more straightforward than most expect. With genuine doctor shortages across the country, a clear registration framework, and pay that comfortably outpaces NHS rates, Australia has become the top destination for doctors looking to make an international move. If you hold GMC registration and a GMC-accredited degree, you are already well-positioned to practise here without sitting any AMC exams.

Registration Pathways for UK Doctors

Every doctor wanting to work in Australia must register with AHPRA — the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Your registration pathway depends on your training background and whether you are a generalist or specialist.

Competent Authority Pathway (the fast track)

The Competent Authority Pathway is the route most UK doctors will take — and it skips the AMC exams entirely. To be eligible, you need to meet all three of these criteria:

• Hold current GMC registration
• Have a GMC-accredited primary medical degree
• Have completed at least 12 months of supervised clinical practice in the UK (FY1 qualifies)

If you tick all three boxes, you apply for provisional registration, complete 12 months of supervised practice in Australia (minimum 47 weeks full-time equivalent), then progress to general registration. No exams. No AMC assessments.

Specialist and Expedited Pathways

Specialists follow a different route assessed by the relevant Australian specialist college. In October 2024, the Medical Board introduced the Expedited Specialist Pathway for four high-demand specialties: Psychiatry, Anaesthetics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and General Practice. Under this pathway, eligible specialists complete just six months of supervised practice plus orientation training before gaining full specialist registration — a significant reduction on the previous timeframe.

For specialties not covered by the expedited route, the standard Specialist Pathway applies. You can review all pathway options on the AMC pathways page.

Step-by-Step: Getting Registered with AHPRA

Here is the process for UK doctors using the Competent Authority Pathway:

1. Set up your AMC candidate account and initiate Primary Source Verification (PSV) of your medical degree through ECFMG's EPIC system. This is shared directly with the AMC and can take time, so start early.
2. Request your Certificate of Good Standing (COGS) from the GMC. Importantly, the GMC must email it directly to COGS@ahpra.gov.au — you cannot send it yourself.
3. Submit your AHPRA application online at ahpra.gov.au. English language proficiency is generally waived for UK-trained doctors.
4. Receive In Principle Approval (IPA). This is valid for 12 months and means AHPRA has assessed your eligibility. You will need a job offer in Australia before IPA converts to active registration.
5. Arrive in Australia and visit an AHPRA office in person with your original documents. This step activates your provisional registration.
6. Complete 12 months of supervised practice (47 weeks FTE) under an AHPRA-approved supervisor in an approved setting.
7. Apply for general registration through the AHPRA portal once supervised practice is complete.

You will also need to arrange a police check and a Working With Children Check before starting work. Both are routine but can take a few weeks to process, so factor this into your timeline.

Visas and Work Rights

Most UK doctors enter Australia on an employer-sponsored visa. The two main options are:

• Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa — the most common route. Valid for 2–4 years and tied to your sponsoring employer. Most hospitals and health services can sponsor this visa.
• Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme — a pathway to permanent residency. Usually pursued once you have established yourself in Australia, often after a period on the 482.

Your employer or a migration agent will typically manage most of the visa process. Doctor shortages mean many hospitals are motivated to sponsor — this is often much less of a hurdle than candidates expect.

This process is similar to the experience of New Zealand doctors making the same move. If you want a comparison, our guide on moving from New Zealand to Australia as a locum doctor covers many parallels.

Setting Up for Locum Work

Once you have general registration (after your supervised year), you can work as a locum. Before you take your first shift, you will need a few things in order:

• Tax File Number (TFN) — apply through the ATO website. You will need this before you receive any income.
• Australian Business Number (ABN) — required if you are working as a contractor (which most locums do). The process is straightforward; our step-by-step ABN guide for locum doctors walks you through it.
• Australian bank account — open this early, ideally as soon as you arrive. Most major banks will open an account before you have an Australian address if you have your passport and visa documentation.
• Medical indemnity insurance — mandatory before you practise. MDA National and Avant are the two main providers for doctors in Australia.

If you want the full picture on how locum work operates here, the step-by-step guide to starting as a locum doctor is a useful read before your first assignment.

What to Expect When You Arrive

The Australian healthcare system will feel broadly familiar — hospital hierarchies, clinical documentation, and day-to-day practice share a lot in common with the NHS. The main adjustment is cultural rather than clinical.

During your supervised year, you will work under an approved supervisor who signs off on your practice. This is not a probationary period in the punitive sense — it is a formal recognition that you are integrating into the Australian system. Most doctors find it a straightforward year, particularly in hospitals that regularly take international registrants.

Pay is a genuine step up. Locum day rates in Australia typically exceed what you would earn in a comparable NHS role, and the cost of living varies significantly by location — rural and regional positions often combine strong rates with lower living costs.

Regional and rural postings also come with additional incentives and are often easier to access as an IMG, since workforce shortages in these areas are most acute. If that interests you, take a look at our guide on landing rural locum assignments.

If you are looking for a simpler way to find and book locum shifts once you are registered, download t