As most Overseas Trained Doctors (OTDs) are not able to immediately attain full Australian medical registration, you will most likely need to work in an Area of Need position.

We would recommend completing our cchecklist for OTDs to gain a better understanding of the kind of vacancies for which you may be eligible. 

Click here for a list of all current Australian positions.

If you would like help in locating a suitable job, please contact us for further assistance.

Hospital Non-Specialist Positions

The public hospital system in Australia is world class and provides many opportunities for overseas trained doctors (OTDs) wishing to work in Australia particularly for those OTDs not yet able to gain full medical registration or specialist, as well as for those who wish to work in Australia temporarily or who are seeking a postgraduate (occupational) training position.

The kind of public hospital positions that would be available to an overseas trained doctor (OTD) include:

• Internships (typically the one year of supervised training required by the Medical Registration Boards to achieve full medical registration);
• Resident medical officers/Hospital medical officers (RMOs/HMOs, generally doctors in their 2nd or 3rd year of prevocational training);
• Registrars (specialists-in-training); or
• Postgraduate trainee positions (occupational trainees).

For more information on current Hospital Non-Specialist positions please contact us.

Hospital Specialists Positions

For an overseas trained specialist (OTS) to be able to work in their specialty in Australia, registration must be obtained from the Medical Board of the State or Territory in which they wish to work. To achieve this, their specialist qualifications must be formally recognised by the relevant Australian Specialist Medical College.

There are 2 pathways for assessment for overseas trained specialists: the Standard pathway and the Area of Need pathway. An OTS may apply for assessment through either pathway or both.

Private Practice

As an overseas trained doctor wishing to treat private patients, in addition to the working in an Area of Need, the position must also be in a District of Workforce Shortage (an approved position in an area in which the general population’s need for healthcare has not been met).

General Practitioners

Most GPs work in small private practices (nearly 65%) or hospitals (25%).

If you want to work as a general practitioner, you will need to apply for a Medicare Provider Number. This enables your patients to receive rebates for the services that you provide under the Medicare program.

Rural communities value their GPs very highly and provide a warm welcome. The varied roles and responsibilities of rural GPs also provide a high level of job satisfaction.

Training & Education

The Confederation of Postgraduate Medical Education Councils (CPMEC) is an association of Postgraduate Medical Councils (PMCs) of each State or Territory in Australia and is responsible for developing, supporting and implementing the education and training of junior doctors and registrars.

Postgraduate Training

Postgraduate Medical Councils (PMCs) in each State and the Northern Territory are responsible for supporting and developing the education and training requirements for junior doctors. The PMCs are as follows:

New South Wales - NSW Institute of Medical Education and Training
Northern Territory - Northern Territory Postgraduate Medical Council
Queensland - Postgraduate Medical Council of Queensland
South Australia - South Australian Institute of Medical Education & Training
Tasmania - Postgraduate Medical Council of Tasmania
Victoria - Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria
Western Australia - Postgraduate Medical Council of Western Australia

Registrar Training

The CPMEC Professional Development Program for Registrars aims to help registrars, or those about to become registrars make the important career transition to becoming medical leaders and managers.

Support for Doctors

This section contains resource information for your medical career in Australia including professional, community and practical support. 

The Department of Health and Ageing - Sets national health policies and subsidises the health services provided by State and Territory governments and the private sector. 

Medicare Australia - Delivers national health programs to the Australian community and is responsible for administering the delivery of health claims, payments and information management. 

Australian Doctor - An online weekly medical magazine. 

The Medical Journal of Australia - The Journal of the Australian Medical Association, focusing on medical practice and clinical research.