Lexi Webster
Becoming a doctor in Australia is a competitive process that requires rigorous training and a strong desire to help others. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Australian Medical Council (AMC) are the first points of contact for medical officers seeking employment in Australia. They provide information and pathways to obtaining certification and registration, which are necessary for practising medicine in the country. The training process can vary depending on the chosen course and speciality, but it typically involves completing a Bachelor's degree, followed by a four-year postgraduate medical program, and an intern year. International students may also consider the Junior Doctor Training Program Private Hospital Stream, which offers prevocational training and a pathway to residency.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Education | Complete Year 12 (high school or college) or an undergraduate degree. |
| Entry into medicine is highly competitive, requiring high ATAR scores (often a minimum of 95+). | |
| Complete a four-year postgraduate medical program. | |
| Pass the UCAT ® exam, a computer-based admissions test used by universities in Australia and New Zealand for their medical programs. | |
| Complete an interview as part of the application process. | |
| Registration | To be fully registered, complete an intern year. |
| After completing an accredited intern year, gain general registration from the Medical Board of Australia. | |
| Registration renews on 30 September each year. | |
| Doctors need a Provider Number so that patients can claim a rebate from Medicare Australia. | |
| Doctors holding registration in Australia can obtain a Medicare Prescriber number from Medicare Australia, enabling them to prescribe pharmaceuticals, order diagnostic tests, and refer patients to other doctors. | |
| Training | After two years of being an RMO or HMO, most resident doctors seek admission to a vocational training program. |
| After completing vocational training, doctors are awarded a Fellowship of the College and recognized as a specialist. | |
| Additional sub-specialty training may also be undertaken. | |
| Visa | The Temporary Business (Long Stay) visa (Subclass 457) is the preferred temporary visa pathway for doctors, with a streamlined application process. |
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What You'll Learn
Education and qualifications
The process of becoming a doctor in Australia is quite competitive and rigorous. It requires a great deal of time and effort, demanding perseverance, a strong desire to help others, intellectual curiosity, and a love of learning.
To pursue a career in medicine in Australia, you must complete Year 12 (high school or college) and then graduate from a Bachelor's degree. Following this, you can apply for undergraduate entry to medical school, which usually opens in August-September each year. Entry into medical school is highly competitive, requiring extremely high ATAR scores (typically a minimum of 95+). Additionally, most medical schools have specific subject prerequisites for Year 12, including English, Maths, and one of the sciences (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics).
Alternatively, you can opt for the graduate entry pathway, which requires completing a Bachelor's degree before undertaking a Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. The University of Sydney, for example, offers a four-year master's-level MD course with clinical exposure, research opportunities, and personalised pathways. Monash University offers a graduate entry program exclusively to students who have completed a Bachelor's degree at Monash.
After completing medical school, you will undertake a one-year internship in a hospital, working as a junior doctor with provisional registration. During this time, you will receive structured oversight and teaching to facilitate your transition to practising medicine. Once you complete your internship, you will be awarded full registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Agency (AHPRA) and the Medical Board of Australia.
Following your internship, most graduates pursue additional training as Hospital Medical Officers (HMO) or Resident Medical Officers (RMO) for a few years before applying for specialty training programs. During this pre-vocational training phase, you may undertake research or further training to prepare for your chosen specialty. After two years as an RMO or HMO, you can seek admission to a vocational training program, after which you secure a registrar post.
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Registration and visas
The process of becoming a doctor in Australia can be lengthy and complex, especially for international applicants. To practise medicine in Australia, registration with the Medical Board of Australia is required. This process is facilitated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Australian Medical Council (AMC). These organisations provide information and pathways to obtaining certification and registration.
For domestic applicants, the process typically involves completing a Bachelor's degree, followed by a four-year postgraduate medical program. Upon completion of their degree, graduates must undertake a one-year internship in a hospital, working under provisional registration. This internship must include 12 months of supervised clinical experience in medicine, surgery, and emergency medical care. After this, doctors are granted full registration.
For international applicants, the process is more complicated. The Junior Doctor Training Program Private Hospital Stream is an option for international applicants. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) must complete several processes to gain registration and employment in Australia. This includes applying for provisional registration with the Australian Medical Board six weeks before completing their medical degree. For those who completed their intern year overseas, 12 months of approved supervised practice in Australia is required before obtaining general registration. The Temporary Business (Long Stay) visa (Subclass 457) is the preferred temporary visa pathway for doctors, with a streamlined application process.
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Internships
To become a doctor in Australia, you must complete an internship after graduating from medical school. This internship will last for one year (47 weeks) in a hospital setting. During this time, you will work as a junior doctor with provisional registration, receiving structured oversight and teaching to facilitate your transition to practising medicine.
Internship applications are synchronised across all states within Australia, with deadlines usually falling in June of the year before commencement. Each state has its own candidate priorities and intake numbers, so be sure to refer to state-based websites for specific information. Internships are often coordinated at the state level by various bodies responsible for matching students to hospitals.
As an intern, you will complete three mandatory core rotations in medicine, surgery, and emergency medical care, along with non-core rotations to make up the full intern year. This pre-registration year will help you transition from medical school to working as a clinical doctor, with support and guidance from senior colleagues.
If you completed your intern year outside of Australia, you will need to undertake 12 months of approved supervised practice in Australia before obtaining your general registration.
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Career development
The journey to becoming a doctor in Australia is long, challenging, and highly competitive. It requires a great deal of time and effort, so it is important to research the training process and plan your pathway. The number of years and steps involved will depend on the course and specialty you choose to pursue, as well as whether you are a domestic or international applicant.
Undergraduate vs Graduate Entry Pathways
There are two broad pathways to becoming a doctor in Australia: undergraduate or graduate entry into medical school. The undergraduate pathway is extremely competitive, requiring extremely high Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) scores, often a minimum of 95+. Additionally, most medical schools require students to complete certain subject prerequisites in Year 12, such as English, Maths, and one of the sciences (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics).
The graduate entry pathway typically requires completing a Bachelor's degree first, with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of around 5-5.5, although a higher score is often needed to be competitive. The Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) is a standardised exam used to assess the capabilities of students applying for graduate entry.
Medical School
When choosing a medical school, consider factors such as academic reputation, size, distance from home, location, cost, and their medical program. The University of Sydney, for example, offers a four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree with clinical exposure, research opportunities, and personalised pathways. UNSW offers a six-year Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine (BMed/MD) degree, which has been the most popular first preference choice in NSW for several years.
Internships and Registration
After completing medical school, graduates must undertake an accredited internship year in a hospital, which serves as a transition to practising as a doctor. Internships are coordinated at the state level, with applications closing in June the year before commencement. Following the internship, graduates are awarded provisional or general registration through the Medical Board of Australia, which must be maintained and renewed annually throughout their career.
Residency and Specialty Training
After registration, junior doctors (also known as resident doctors) can pursue residency, which involves one or two years of prevocational training. As a Resident Medical Officer (RMO), individuals may undertake research or further training to prepare for a specialty training program. Following residency, doctors can apply for a medical specialty (vocational) training program through an accredited medical college. Acceptance into such a program confers the status of 'registrar' or 'trainee specialist doctor'.
Fellowship and Specialist Registration
To qualify for a fellowship of a specialist medical college, individuals must complete rigorous assessments and on-the-job training. The length of vocational training varies by specialty. For example, becoming a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) takes three years. After completing vocational training, individuals are eligible for fellowship and gain specialist medical registration from the Medical Board of Australia.
Medicare Provider Number
All registered doctors in Australia can obtain a Medicare Prescriber number, enabling them to prescribe pharmaceuticals, order diagnostic tests, and refer patients to other doctors. Doctors in general practice or private specialist practice also require a Medicare Provider number to participate in the Medicare scheme and be eligible for Medicare benefits.
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Private practice
To work as a doctor in private practice in Australia, there are several steps you must take. Firstly, you must complete a medical degree, which in Australia typically lasts six years. Following this, you will need to complete an accredited intern year, after which you will gain general registration with the Medical Board of Australia.
After gaining this registration, you will be able to work as a clinical doctor. You will need to register with Medicare Australia to be eligible for Medicare benefits for your professional services, and for your patients to claim rebates. Doctors practising in the private system determine the fee they will charge a patient. Medicare typically pays for 85% of private specialist fees, with the patient paying the remaining 15%. To register with Medicare, you will need a Provider Number.
If you are an international medical graduate, you will need to meet certain requirements to be eligible to work as a doctor in Australia. You will need to have your degree recognised and meet a certain standard of English language skills. You must also have a job offer before you can apply for registration or a visa. The Australian Medical Council will assess your skills as part of your application for registration.
There are several legal requirements to open a private practice in Australia. You will need to register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency and ensure you have appropriate insurance cover. You should consult an accountant and a lawyer to understand the legal and tax implications of different business structures.
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Frequently asked questions
First, you need to complete Year 12 and graduate from a bachelor's degree. Then, you need to complete a four-year postgraduate medical program. To be fully registered, you must also complete an intern year. After two years of being a Resident Medical Officer (RMO) or Hospital Medical Officer (HMO), most resident doctors seek admission to a vocational training program.
Entry into medicine is highly competitive. You will need to achieve extremely high ATAR scores, often a minimum of 95+. Many medical schools require students to complete certain subject prerequisites in Year 12, which may include English, Maths, and one of the sciences (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics).
If you plan on starting medical school after high school, you’ll need to apply for undergraduate entry, which often opens in August-September of each year. Students will need to apply to different medical schools individually, often through state-specific tertiary admissions services, such as VTAC, UAC, etc. Some universities, such as James Cook University, also require direct applications.
