Pathways for IMGs

So, what is a GP in Australia? Is a general practitioner the same as a general physician?

GPs are doctors who have undergone general practice training in medicine. They have the expertise and ability to treat any health problems people typically encounter during their lifetime.

Because GPs typically work with communities, they have opportunities to get to know individuals and families living in the same area. This gives them the unique ability to deliver care that is tailored to the needs and situation of their patients and their families.

A general practitioner in Australia is known as a general physician in the United States, so they refer to the same thing. However, in Australia a general practitioner and general physician are two different professions.

Differences Between General Practitioners (GPs) and General Physicians

International medical graduates may find the distinction between general practitioners and general physicians in Australia confusing. While both roles are integral to the healthcare system, they have distinct scopes of practice, training pathways, and earning potential. Becoming familiar with these differences is crucial for IMGs wanting to build a medical career in Australia.

General Practitioners (GPs)

• Scope of Work: General practitioners are frontline medical professionals who provide comprehensive primary care to patients of all ages. They are often the first point of contact in the healthcare system, managing a wide range of health issues, from acute illnesses and chronic disease management to preventive care and health education. GPs are trained to diagnose and treat various conditions, and they refer patients to specialists (including general physicians) when necessary. Their work is community-based, often within private practices or local health clinics.

• Training: To become a GP in Australia, doctors must complete a medical degree (typically 4-6 years) followed by an internship and residency (about 2-3 years), and medical specialisation (3-5 years). As part of the specialisation training, doctors can apply for the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program or similar pathways, which culminates in a fellowship with either the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).

• Earning Potential: On average, GPs in Australia may earn between $100,000 and $250,000 per year (or more), depending on factors, such as their practice location, experience, hours, and whether they work in urban or rural areas. Rural GPs often have the opportunity to earn more because of higher demand and additional incentives.

General Physicians

• Scope of Work: General physicians, also known as consultant physicians, are medical specialists who manage complex and chronic problems, disorders, and illnesses. Their work is typically hospital-based, focusing on diagnosing and managing complex, multi-system diseases in adults. They often treat patients referred to them by GPs for conditions that require in-depth investigation and specialist care. General physicians may also have sub-specialties, such as cardiology, endocrinology, or gastroenterology, where they focus on specific areas of internal medicine. They can also get advanced training to achieve expertise in acute medicine, perioperative medicine, clinical pharmacology, palliative care, and elderly care.

• Training: The pathway to becoming a general physician is more extensive than that of a GP. After completing a medical degree and initial postgraduate training, doctors must undergo several years of specialist training in internal medicine. This includes Basic Physician Training (BPT), which lasts about 3 years, followed by Advanced Physician Training (APT), which also takes around 3 years. This training is done under the auspices of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). After successful completion of this rigorous training and examinations, doctors can practice as general physicians.

• Earning Potential: General physicians typically earn more than GPs due to their specialized expertise. Their annual earnings range from $150,000 to $300,000 or more, depending on experience, location, working hours, and whether they work in the public or private sector.

Similarities Between GPs and General Physicians

Initial Pathway: Both professions begin with a medical degree and early postgraduate training.

• Critical Role in Healthcare: Both GPs and general physicians are crucial in delivering patient care, though at different points in the healthcare system.
• Lifelong Learning: Both roles require continuous professional development and learning to keep up with medical advancements and provide the best care to patients.

Both medical professions are highly respected and offer rewarding careers. However, they cater to different aspects of patient care and require distinct training and qualifications.

By knowing these distinctions, you can align your career aspirations with the appropriate pathway in the Australian healthcare system.

If you are an international medical graduate or a doctor trained overseas, there are steps and pathways to becoming a GP in Australia you can follow.

1. Get registered as a medical practitioner

There are specific registration pathways available for internationally trained medical practitioners:

Competent Authority Pathway

This path leads to general registration and is open to internationally trained non-specialists or specialists.

The Australian Medical Board has approved a number of international authorities as being qualified to participate in this program. Applicants who have completed training or assessments from an authorised competent body are eligible to apply for a provisional registration visa through this route.

Approved competent authorities include:

• Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates of the US (ECFMG)
• General Medical Council (UK)
• Medical Council of Canada (LMCC)
• Medical Council of Ireland
• Medical Council of New Zealand (NZREX)

Internationally trained doctors must hold a primary qualification in medicine or surgery from a training institution recognized by both the Australian Medical Council and the World Directory of Medical Schools.

Applicants who follow this course will be granted temporary registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) after successfully completing 12 months of supervised practice.

Specialist Pathway

This route is open to doctors who have received their primary training in medicine and surgery at a training institution that is recognized by both the Australian Medical Council and the World Directory of Medical Schools.

Applicants must have completed all training and examination criteria to practice in their field of specialty in their country of training or be no more than two years away from completing their specialist training overseas to be eligible for registration. Overseas trained specialists should apply directly to the relevant specialist medical college for assessment.

2.Apply for a visa

If you have a valid visa, such as a temporary employer-sponsored visa, you can work in Australia under AHPRA registration as an overseas-trained doctor.

3.Undergo skills assessment

Evidence of registration with AHPRA is proof of a suitable skills assessment for medical doctors.

4.Pass English language requirements

You have four options for demonstrating English language proficiency. These pathways are as follows:

• Primary language
• Combined secondary and tertiary education
• Extended education
• English language test

Applicants from various fields can take the IELTS, PTE Academic, and TOEFL iBT tests.

Get accredited.

The National General Practice Accreditation (NGPA) Scheme oversees accreditation in Australia.

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) developed this Scheme to link GP accreditation with the Australian Health Service Safety and Quality Accreditation Scheme.

The NGPA Scheme gives practices seeking certification more options, improves support programs for accreditation implementation, and (in the future) will allow practices to gather and publish accreditation performance data to benchmark themselves.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Standards are used to evaluate practices.

All overseas trained doctors (OTD/IMG/FGAMS) who obtained their initial medical registration in Australia on or after January 1997 are subject to Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act.

International medical graduates who are GPs must work in a distribution priority area for the first ten years (moratorium) of their medical registration in Australia to be eligible for Medicare under Section 19AB.

At Alecto, you’re sure to find DPA GP jobs in Australia.

Find out what’s available for you today!

What does a GP doctor do? When a person has a health problem, they usually go to their GP first. As a GP, you can treat minor illnesses and injuries whilst referring more serious conditions to specialist doctors.

Overall, these are the primary tasks of a general practitioner:

• Keeping complete, up-to-date records and files on all patient treatments and communications for their own practice and Medicare.
• Organising or facilitating hospital admissions for patients, as necessary.
• Performing simple medical operations such as injections, immunisation, skin cancer removal, wound dressings, sutures, and minor surgical procedures.
• Providing guidance or advice to patients concerning their diet and nutrition, exercise, healthcare plans, and other lifestyle factors to help them recover from or avoid sickness.
• Providing professional patient-centred treatment that addresses the health requirements of patients whilst also encouraging wellness.
• Staying abreast with the most recent medical treatments and medications used in general practice and primary healthcare.

As a general practitioner, you’ll have a thorough understanding of medicine and many opportunities to develop your ability to evaluate patients efficiently.

A GP is qualified to provide general health advice and to provide prescriptions. You may even find yourself serving as a patient’s main point of contact many times, and coordinating their general health requirements.

As an aspiring GP, your foremost concern would be how to become a GP in Australia and obtain a general practitioner degree.

Below, we outline the steps and pathways on how to become a general practitioner in Australia:

Specialisation

General registration follows graduation from medical school and completion of an internship for Australian medical graduates. Specialisation necessitates more training and research, as well as approval from the Medical Board of Australia.

General practice is recognised as a medical speciality in Australia (referred to as ‘GP Fellowship’). The Australian Medical Council (AMC) has granted general practice Fellowship training to the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

Doctors training to become vocationally recognised (VR) GPs have access to the highest value Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items by participating in a formal pathway to GP Fellowship. Formal training best prepares doctors for the responsibilities that GPs have in the community, as well as the increasing complexity and variety of their work.

GP Fellowship Training

To be recognised and work independently as a specialist GP, you will need to qualify as a Fellow of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM) or as a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP).

Both fellowships lead to vocational recognition and registration under the specialist (general practice) category with the Medical Board of Australia. These qualifications allow you to work unsupervised as a GP anywhere in Australia. MBS eligibility rules may continue to apply to some doctors.

Pathways to GP Fellowship

You can complete your general practice training and earn your fellowship in a variety of ways. Your interests and circumstances will influence the course you take. Regardless of the pathway chosen, a thorough understanding of Medicare billing is essential for successful practice.

In Australia, there are several pathways to general practice and two medical colleges where you can get a GP fellowship. While both the ACRRM and the RACGP fellowships allow you to practise as a GP in Australia, the technicalities differ. Make sure you understand the differences before choosing which college to apply to.

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine Fellowship Pathways

• Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program: Designed for graduates and experienced doctors who desire a more structured, educator-directed learning environment. Since the training is funded by the government, there are certain eligibility requirements. Training is provided by one of nine Regional Training Organisations (RTO) around Australia. For Australian doctors, the AGPT program is the most common pathway they take.
• Independent Pathway (IP): This pathway is ideal for experienced doctors who wish to opt for self-directed learning. Aside from handling the application, selection, and enrolment, the ACRRM provides training that is self-funded, not RTOs. However, there are additional expenses for exams, applications, membership, and so on. However, eligible doctors can apply for Commonwealth funding support. International medical graduates and Australian nationals interested in rural general practice may take this route.
• Rural Generalist Training Scheme (RGTS): The Rural Generalist Training Scheme (RGTS) is a fully funded four-year stream of the college-led Independent Pathway that leads to an ACRRM fellowship (FACRRM).

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Fellowship Pathways

• Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program: This is essentially the same program as the one offered at ACRRM.
• Practice Experience Program (PEP): The RACGP PEP program includes two streams; that is, the PEP Standard Stream and Specialist Stream. The Standard Stream is intended for non-VR doctors who do not have specialist degrees and those who were assessed as non-comparable after undergoing a Specialist stream comparability evaluation. The Specialist Stream is intended for international medical graduates (IMGs) that have a recognised overseas specialty qualification and who want to be eligible for RACGP fellowship (FRACGP).
• Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS): The RVTS is a flexible, government-funded program that provides vocational training for medical practitioners in rural, remote, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander areas across Australia.

Whichever pathway you choose will require you to have experience working in general practice and hospital specialties that are relevant to GP work. You will also have to attend educational workshops, teaching sessions, and invest significant amounts of personal study.

Now that you already have some basic information on the pathways to GP Fellowship, you may be wondering how long it takes to become a GP.

In Australia, becoming a general practitioner takes many years of formal education and training.

• Bachelor of Medical Studies or Doctor of Medicine: 4 to 6 years
• Internship: 1 year
• Resident Training: 1 to 2 years
• Medical Specialisation: 3 to 5 years
• GP Fellowship: 3 years

Based on the above alone, you’ll know that studying to become a general practitioner requires commitment, diligence and hard work.

In the end, however, you will be rewarded with a fulfilling medical career that allows you to help many people whilst also providing you with a very decent source of income. Who knows, you may even establish your own clinic one day.

But if you’re looking for GP career opportunities, you’ll have plenty to choose from at Alecto, so make sure to check them out.

If you’re considering work as a GP in Australia, then you’ll naturally be curious about the salary of a general practitioner in Australia.

According to our most recent GP salary survey (May 2024), the average GP compensation for doctors who work seven or more sessions per week is $365,000 (full time). The average annual compensation for part-time GPs working six sessions or fewer per week is $231,000 per year. These earnings are closely linked to the accurate application of MBS codes, which determine the Medicare rebates for services provided.

In the UK, sessional (salaried) GPs earn between GBP 68,974 ($133,554.36) and GBP 104,086 ($201,541.72) according to the British Medical association.

Upon close examination of these figures, it’s obvious that Australian GPs earn more than their UK counterparts. If we add to this observation to earlier anecdotal evidence from UK GPs who have chosen to work in Australia because of the work-life balance opportunities here, being a GP in Australia is a better choice overall.

If you are an overseas medical graduate with a job offer in Australia, you need to be informed about the best doctor visa options in Australia.

You will need to apply for a visa for yourself and any family members who will be joining you.

In most cases, your employer or the recruitment agency that’s handling your application will provide guidance and support in getting the proper visas.

The Temporary Skilled Shortage visa (subclass 482), which has a faster application process, is the recommended temporary visa pathway for doctors.

In any case, the Department of Home Affairs (external site) of the Australian government is in charge of processing and reviewing visa applications as well as ensuring compliance with Australia’s immigration rules.

Yes, GPs are in high demand across Australia, particularly in rural and remote areas. In fact, according to a report released by the Australian Medical Association, the country may be facing a GP shortage of over 10,600 by the year 2031.

The Australian healthcare system relies heavily on general practitioners to provide primary care services, and there is a continuous need for skilled GPs to meet the growing healthcare demands of the population. This demand is especially pronounced in distribution priority areas (DPAs), where there is an even bigger undersupply of medical professionals.

International medical graduates, which include both overseas trained doctors (OTDs) and foreign graduates of an accredited medical school (FGAMS), can work as GPs in a variety of settings across Australia, including metropolitan areas, regional towns, and remote communities.

However, because of the section 19AB restrictions of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act), many IMGs work in distribution priority areas or DPAs to get exempted. DPAs are often located in rural or underserved regions. These areas offer a range of opportunities and can provide a fulfilling experience, especially for those who are passionate about providing community-focused healthcare.

Yes, there are many visa options available to GPs, such as the subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) and subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visas, which allow you to bring your immediate family members to Australia.

Once you find work as a GP here, your family can live, work, and study in Australia as well, and they will have access to the same healthcare and education services as Australian citizens.

The timeline to start working as a GP in Australia can vary depending on your qualifications, registration process, visa application, and any necessary bridging programs.

On average, it may take anywhere from six to 12 months from the start of the process to your first day of work. This includes completing AHPRA registration, securing a suitable visa, and, if required, completing the Practice Experience Program (PEP) or other relevant assessments.

Alecto Australia is a specialised GP recruitment agency that focuses on placing general practitioners in suitable positions across the country.

We offer personalised support throughout the job search process, including providing medical registration assistance, and help with immigration processes, such as visa applications. Alecto’s extensive experience and wide network of employers seeking GPs can help IMGs find opportunities that align with their professional goals and personal preferences.

International medical graduates must obtain AMC registration and registration (general and specialist) with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to work as GPs in Australia. This involves completing the necessary assessments, such as the AMC CAT MCQ exam depending on your pathway, and possibly undertaking a period of supervised practice.

IMGs also need to meet English language proficiency standards and satisfy the criteria for either general or specialist registration, depending on their qualifications and experience.

Australia offers various support systems for international medical graduates, including orientation programs, peer support networks, and professional development opportunities.

Many healthcare organisations and medical colleges provide resources to help IMGs adjust to the Australian healthcare system, understand cultural expectations, and achieve a work-life balance. Additionally, rural and regional communities often have specific programs to assist IMGs in settling into their new role and environment.

As an IMG looking to work as a general practitioner in Australia, you can also make your adjustment period easier by doing research on the locality or community you’ll be working in and familiarising yourself with the local culture, including customs, values and social etiquette.

Whether you’re planning to be a GP in Australia or are already leading a successful career, it’s worth knowing about the following important medical associations and institutions in Australia.

• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA): AHPRA is in charge of implementing the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme throughout Australia
• Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP): General practitioners in Australia are represented by the RACGP. It is in charge of upholding quality clinical practice, teaching and training, and research in general practice in Australia.
• Australian Medical Association (AMA): The AMA is a professional association for Australian doctors and medical students.
• Australian Medical Students Association (AMSA): AMSA is an independent association of medical students in Australia. It functions as the representative body for Australian medical students with a goal of connecting, informing and representing them in all relevant matters.
• Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM): The ACRRM is one of Australia’s two general practice colleges (the other being RACGP) certified by the Australian Medical Council (AMC).

By getting trained in or certified by these establishments, you’ll be enhancing your professional qualifications and opening more doors to a successful career as a general practitioner.