How do I gain medical registration in Australia when immigrating from overseas?
If you’re looking to make the move from the UK to Australia to work as a doctor, you probably already know that you will need the proper visa (read about the requirements in our blog here). However, something you might not have thought about yet is how you will gain medical registration in Australia when you are immigrating from the UK. In this blog post, we will be discussing some of your options for gaining medical registration in Australia as a UK doctor.
What is medical registration?
Before we get into this, let’s start by looking at what medical registration is. Basically, medical registration is the process that grants you the right to practise medicine as a doctor or medical practitioner in Australia.
All doctors who practise medicine in Australia must be registered with the Medical Board of Australia. This is the main register of medical practitioners Australia, which provides a complete list of all of the doctors and medical practitioners who are authorised to practise in Australia. Medical Board of Australia registration is a requirement for both Australian and overseas doctors (including UK doctors) to be able to practise as a registered medical practitioner.
What is an International Medical Graduate (IMG)?
As a UK doctor immigrating to Australia, you will be seeking medical registration as an International Medical Graduate (IMG), which is someone who has gained their primary medical qualification in a country other than Australia or New Zealand.
What are the options for registering as a doctor in Australia when coming from the UK?
There are three main pathways available for UK doctor registration Australia. The type of registration that is appropriate for you will depend on your level and area of practice, as well as the type of work that you plan to be undertaking.
1. The first is the Competent Authority pathway, which is a pathway to achieving general registration as a registered medical practitioner. This pathway is often one of the most suitable ones for doctors looking to achieve general practitioner registration.
To be eligible for this pathway, you will need to have completed medical licensing exams that are equivalent to the medical licensing exam for Australia, have full registration as a medical practitioner in an approved country (such as New Zealand, the US, UK, or Canada), and have completed a full year of supervised practice.
2. The second pathway available is the Specialist Pathway. This enables you to achieve recognition and registration as a specialist in your area of expertise.
You will need to have completed a specialist training program in an approved country, and pass an assessment by the equivalent medical college in Australia to be eligible for Medical Board of Australia Specialist registration.
3. The third is the Standard Pathway, which is another option if you are looking to achieve general medical registration Australia. This pathway is the most appropriate one for overseas medical graduates who do not meet the requirements for either of the Competent Authority or Specialist programs.
To achieve registration through the Standard Pathway, you will need to complete a medical licensing exam in Australia via the Australian Medical Council. This exam includes a multiple-choice test and a clinical skills examination.
Your eligibility for medical registration in Australia will depend on the country you are coming from, as well as the level and area in which you practise. The specialist college that you fall under may also have their own specialised pathways for medical registration.
How can Jon & Jon Medical Recruitment help you register as a doctor in Australia?
The process for gaining medical registration in Australia as a UK doctor can be a complex one. That’s why it’s always best to work with an experienced medical recruitment firm to find the doctor registration Australia pathway that is best for you.
At Jon & Jon Medical, we are dedicated to helping international doctors from all levels and specialties to advance their careers in Australia. We have a proven track record of helping doctors from all over the world to achieve medical registration in Australia, and our team have the knowledge and experience to advise you on the most appropriate pathway for you based on your qualifications and experience.
To find out more about what we do and how we can help you to achieve medical registration in Australia, get in touch with us today at +61 2 9174 5352 or info@jonandjon.com. In the meantime, download our free eBook here to find out more about gaining medical registration in Australia.