How to get Registration in Australia as a General Practitioner
If your initial medical qualification is from UK or Ireland, there are two registration pathways for gaining medical registration as a hospital doctor or GP in Australia:
- the Competent Authority Pathway; and
- Specialist Pathway (accredited by the Royal Australian College of General Practice).
RACGP Specialist Pathway
The Specialist Pathway Program provides a pathway for overseas-trained doctors to obtain Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP), taking into consideration their previous training in general practice in their home country. This provides an opportunity for eligible overseas-trained GPs who want to work in Australia while they are preparing for vocational registration. During this time they make a valuable contribution to the healthcare of Australian communities.
UK Doctors
In general terms, doctors are considered ‘Category 1′ doctors provided they have UK Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners holding MRCGP and CCT, or equivalent.
If you have either of these you should qualify for the RACGP pathway and be able to find a job in Australia. As a ‘Category 1’ doctor you will not need to sit the General Practice fellowship exam and you will not have any further training requirements. You will be given Fellowship ad eundum gradum (FAEG) which will place you at the same level as Australian-trained specialists for general practice.
UK Doctors are considered ‘Category 2′ doctors provided they have either the Certificate of the Joint Committee in Postgraduate Training for General Practice OR Certificate from the Post Medical Education Training Board. As a ‘Category 2’ doctor, you will need to sit the RACGP fellowship exam within a specified period (usually 3 years). This will involve additional fees.
More information about the specialist pathway can be found on the RACGP website.
Irish Doctors
In general terms, doctors are considered ‘Category 1′ doctors provided they hold MICGP. With this membership you should qualify for the RACGP pathway and be able to find a job in Australia. As a ‘Category 1’ doctor, you will not need to sit the RACGP fellowship exam and you will not have any further training requirements. You will be given Fellowship ad eundum gradum (FAEG) which will place you at the same level as Australian-trained specialists for general practice.
In general terms, doctors are considered ‘Category 2′ doctors provided they have either the Certificate of the Joint Committee in Postgraduate Training for General Practice OR Certificate from the Post Medical Education Training Board. As a ‘Category 2’ doctor you will need to sit the General Practice fellowship exam within a specified period (usually 3 years). This will involve additional fees.
More information about the specialist pathway can be found on the RACGP website.
If you have the relevant qualifications and would like more information about jobs in Australia, contact us.
Hospital Doctors
Most hospital doctors work in public hospitals. To summarise there are usually 4 levels of doctors in a hospital:
- The doctors start as Intern; at this time they are under supervision and still completing training. After their internship they work as residents (fully registered) and complete rotations around the hospital. After that the doctors become registrars once they start training in a particular specialty (in the US this is equivalent to a Resident).Finding a job in a hospital is a little harder than a job as a GP, especially at the junior end. There is a lot of competition for Intern places in hospitals and the first preference is given to Australian Graduates. So if you are looking for an intern position unfortunately we are not able to help.
- F2 – If you have completed your F2 year in the UK you may qualify for a Junior House Officer role or a resident.
- ST1 – if you have completed your ST1 then you may qualify for a senior house officer role or a resident.
- ST2 – if you have completed your ST2 then you may qualify for a registrar role. This may include specialty training.In the vast majority of cases, completion of your F2 year will enable you to obtain a Senior House Officer level position in Australia.
If you have the relevant qualifications and would like more information about jobs in Australia, contact us.
