Ultimate Guide to Working in Australia as a Consultant Doctor

 

Helpful Terminology – Aussie Acronyms

Australians have their own set of terms and acronyms that are useful to know when applying for jobs and working in the healthcare system.

• AHPRA: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (equivalent to the UK’s GMC)
• AMA: Australian Medical Association
• ATO: Australian Taxation Office

 

What Jobs to Apply For

As a consultant or specialist, you’ll be applying for senior roles in your specialty. These may include:

• Consultant positions in public hospitals
• Specialist roles in private practice or clinics
• Locum consultant/specialist opportunities
• Leadership or academic appointments

Tip: Highlight your experience, leadership, and any subspecialty expertise in your applications.

 

Where to Apply for Jobs

Australia is divided into several states and territories, each offering unique opportunities and experiences.

New South Wales (NSW)

New South Wales is known for its stunning coastline, vibrant cities, and beautiful national parks.

• Sydney: Australia’s largest city, famous for the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Bondi Beach. The city also offers world-class dining, shopping, and cultural experiences.
• Blue Mountains: A UNESCO World Heritage site known for its dramatic scenery, including the Three Sisters rock formation, scenic lookouts, and extensive hiking trails.
• Hunter Valley: One of Australia’s premier wine regions, offering wine tours, tastings, and gourmet food experiences.
• Byron Bay: A popular coastal town known for its relaxed vibe, beautiful beaches, and vibrant arts scene. It’s also a great spot for surfing and whale watching.

Victoria (VIC)

Victoria is known for its diverse landscapes, from bustling cities to scenic coastlines and mountain ranges.

• Melbourne: Australia’s cultural capital, known for its vibrant arts scene, coffee culture, and sporting events. Key attractions include Federation Square, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
• Great Ocean Road: One of the world’s most scenic coastal drives, featuring the iconic Twelve Apostles rock formations, beautiful beaches, and charming seaside towns.
• Yarra Valley: A renowned wine region offering wine tours, tastings, and gourmet food experiences. The area is also known for its beautiful scenery and hot air ballooning.
• Phillip Island: Famous for its wildlife, including the Penguin Parade, where you can watch little penguins return to shore at sunset. The island also offers beautiful beaches and motor racing events.
• Grampians National Park: Known for its rugged mountain ranges, stunning lookouts, and Aboriginal rock art sites. The park offers excellent hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Mornington Peninsula: A popular getaway destination offering beautiful beaches, hot springs, wineries, and charming coastal towns.

Queensland (QLD)

Queensland is known for its tropical climate, stunning beaches, and diverse natural attractions.

• Brisbane: The capital city, known for its vibrant arts scene, riverfront parks, and nearby attractions such as the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
• Gold Coast: Famous for its surf beaches, theme parks, and vibrant nightlife. Key attractions include Surfers Paradise, Sea World, and Dreamworld.
• Sunshine Coast: Known for its beautiful beaches, national parks, and charming towns such as Noosa and Mooloolaba.
• Great Barrier Reef: One of the world’s most famous natural wonders, offering snorkeling, diving, and boat tours to explore the vibrant coral reefs and marine life.
• Daintree Rainforest: A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest rainforests in the world, offering guided tours, wildlife viewing, and stunning scenery.
• Whitsunday Islands: A group of 74 islands known for their white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and luxury resorts. Key attractions include Whitehaven Beach and sailing tours.

Western Australia (WA)

Western Australia is known for its vast landscapes, stunning coastline, and unique natural attractions.

• Perth: The capital city, known for its beautiful beaches, parks, and vibrant arts and dining scene. Key attractions include Kings Park, Cottesloe Beach, and Fremantle.
• Rottnest Island: A popular holiday destination known for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and friendly quokkas.
• Margaret River: A renowned wine region offering wine tours, tastings, and gourmet food experiences. The area is also known for its stunning coastline and surfing beaches.
• Ningaloo Reef: A UNESCO World Heritage site offering snorkeling, diving, and the chance to swim with whale sharks.
• Karijini National Park: Known for its dramatic gorges, waterfalls, and hiking trails. The park offers stunning scenery and unique geological formations.

South Australia (SA)

South Australia is known for its wine regions, beautiful coastline, and unique wildlife.

• Adelaide: The capital city, known for its festivals, food and wine scene, and nearby attractions such as the Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley.
• Barossa Valley: One of Australia’s premier wine regions, offering wine tours, tastings, and gourmet food experiences.
• Kangaroo Island: Known for its stunning landscapes, wildlife, and pristine beaches. Key attractions include Seal Bay, Flinders Chase National Park, and Remarkable Rocks.
• Flinders Ranges: Known for its rugged mountain ranges, stunning scenery, and Aboriginal rock art sites. The area offers excellent hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Tasmania (TAS)

Tasmania is known for its pristine wilderness, stunning landscapes, and rich history.

• Hobart: The capital city, known for its historic architecture, vibrant arts scene, and nearby attractions such as Mount Wellington and the MONA (Museum of Old and New Art).
• Launceston: Known for its beautiful parks, historic buildings, and nearby attractions such as the Tamar Valley wine region and Cataract Gorge.
• Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park: Known for its stunning alpine scenery, hiking trails, and wildlife. Key attractions include the Overland Track and Dove Lake.
• Freycinet National Park: Famous for its stunning beaches, including Wineglass Bay, and beautiful coastal scenery.

Northern Territory (NT)

The Northern Territory is known for its unique landscapes, rich Aboriginal culture, and outdoor adventures.

• Darwin: The capital city, known for its tropical climate, vibrant markets, and nearby attractions such as Litchfield National Park and Kakadu National Park.
• Alice Springs: Known for its rich Aboriginal culture, desert landscapes, and nearby attractions such as Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kings Canyon.
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage site known for its iconic rock formations, rich Aboriginal culture, and stunning desert scenery.
• Kakadu National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage site known for its diverse landscapes, rich Aboriginal culture, and abundant wildlife.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

The Australian Capital Territory is known for its national institutions, beautiful parks, and vibrant cultural scene.

• Canberra: The capital city of Australia, known for its national institutions such as the Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia, and Parliament House. The city also offers beautiful parks, gardens, and a vibrant food and wine scene.

 

Best Time to Apply for Jobs

Jobs for consultants and specialists are advertised year-round, but senior roles may have longer recruitment processes and may be advertised directly by hospitals, health services, or specialist recruitment agencies.

 

Types of Visas

• Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa: Requires a job offer from an Australian employer and can be granted for up to four years.
• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa: For those with a permanent job offer and can lead to permanent residency.
• Specialist Pathway: For overseas-trained specialists, this pathway allows you to work while your qualifications are assessed by the relevant college.

 

Registration & Accreditation

• AHPRA Registration: All doctors must register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
• Specialist Recognition: Overseas-trained specialists must have their qualifications assessed by the relevant Australian specialist college (e.g., RACP, RACS, RACGP, etc.).
• Area of Need: Some regions may expedite registration for consultants willing to work in shortage areas.

Tip: Start the specialist assessment process early, as it can take several months.

Medical Examinations Visa applications for longer than 12 months require a medical examination and chest x-ray. Check the Australian immigration website for details on accredited doctors.

 

Cost of Moving

• AHPRA Registration: Costs around AUD 1000 – 1500.
• Visa Fees: Vary depending on the type of visa.
• Medical Indemnity Insurance: Often provided by employers but check with your specific employer.
• Flight Costs: Vary depending on your location.
• Housing and Transport: Initial costs for renting, buying a car, or using public transport.
• Relocation Packages: Some employers offer generous relocation support for consultants, including flights, accommodation, and moving expenses.

 

Before You Work

• AHPRA Registration: Apply for provisional registration before starting work. Your employer will often assist with this process.
• Medical Indemnity Insurance: Check if your employer provides this or if you need to arrange it yourself.
• Tax Registration – TFN: Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) early as you can’t get paid without it.

Other Organisations to Notify

• ATO
• Your bank

Once You’ve Started

• Joining a Union: Consider joining the AMA or ASMOF for support and advice.
• Joining a Specialist College: Essential for ongoing professional development and networking.
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Consultants must meet CPD requirements set by their college.
• Superannuation: Sign up for a retirement savings scheme. You can access these funds if you leave Australia permanently. You can look for Super annuation here.

Locum work

Once fully registered, consultants can undertake locum work across Australia. Locum consultant roles are well-paid and often include travel and accommodation. This can be done through us! Locum work can be a great way to see Australia as often they pay for your travel costs, accommodation and obviously the hours you work!

 

Life in Australia as a Doctor

Housing

There are a number of housing options when you move to Australia:

Airbnb/Renting

There are a lot of housing options available for rent in Australia. Airbnb can offer furnished options for shorter stays, or renting is a great option for 3 months or longer.

If renting the main note is that most rentals in Australia don’t come furnished.

Hospital Accommodation

Some hospitals will offer hospital accommodation, though not all.

This varies in cost and luxury but can be a great option! It might be worth asking your recruitment administrator about this option.

Transport

When you move to Australia, you’ll not only have to make sure you can get to work, but also need to find a way to explore the beauty of your new home!

Buying a Car Having a car is super useful in Australia! A lot of the national parks and scenic spots aren’t very accessible by public transport, so buying a car gives you the ability to see so much more of the amazing country!

There are a couple of different ways of doing this. You can either buy new ($$$), second-hand (primarily off ‘Gumtree’ or ‘Facebook Marketplace’), or through a second-hand car dealership.

Should I Get a Camper? Something else to consider is buying a campervan instead of a car. I would 100% recommend this option if the thought appeals to you! It means every weekend you can go exploring with total flexibility.

Australia is full of ‘Freedom Camping’ spots where you can park up and sleep for free if you are in a ‘Self-Contained’ vehicle that’s certified. It’s a fun, easy, and cheap way to see the very best bits of the country.

Campervans are hugely popular in Australia so there are always second-hand ones being sold through websites such as ‘Facebook Marketplace’ and ‘Gumtree’. Most of the cities and towns have lots of parking options so you shouldn’t have much trouble parking your van anywhere.

Public Transport Public transport is also an option if you don’t want to buy a vehicle. There are good flight connections between most of the major cities and towns, making this an effective option to travel around.

A lot of the scenic hikes and activities will then require some other mode of transport to get to them. Usually, this requires hiring a car but there can also be public buses and trains.

 

Salary

Typical earnings range from AUD 200,000 to 500,000+ per year, depending on specialty, experience, and whether you work in the public or private sector.

 

Conclusion

Australia offers outstanding opportunities for consultant and specialist doctors, with excellent remuneration, lifestyle, and professional development. Good luck with your move!