Overseas Trained Doctors

Australia offers one of the best healthcare systems in the world. To maintain this system and the high standard of medical practitioners in Australia, the Australian Medical Council (AMC) coordinates the medical examination process to ensure the safety and quality of our culturally-diverse medical workforce.

As an Overseas Trained Doctor (OTD) there are three areas that require consideration when seeking a GP position in New South Wales:

1. Medical registration
2. Immigration or residency status
3. Access to a Medicare Provider Number.

Note:

• If you have completed the AMC requirements and have General Registration or have completed the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) or Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Fellowship exams and have specialist qualifications, please complete the RDN Assessment Form and Search GP Vacancies. The NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) will contact you to assist and provide advice on available options and possible incentives.
• If you have not yet successfully completed the AMC requirements or Fellowship exams or are part way through this process, in New South Wales you are likely to need Limited Medical Registration.

Limited Registration for AoN is required to work in supervised General Practice in Australia. Prerequisites of the Medical Board of Australia include evidence of English Language Proficiency (ELP) and successful completion of the Australian Medical Council Multiple Choice Questionnaire (AMC MCQ). Without proof of these, RDN will not be able to assist you into rural General Practice. Please refer to the Medical Board of Australia for more information.

You may be affected by legislation that prevents you from obtaining a Medicare Provider Number to practise in a community that is not considered a Distribution of Priority Area. For more information, please visit the Australian Government Department of Health website.

General Practice in Australia generally involves community-based private practice (that is, private businesses rather than government funded organisations). RDN is seeking OTDs who have qualifications deemed by either the RACGP or ACRRM that will allow you to sit Fellowship assessments within 24 months or OTDs with a very high level of GP experience, in a setting similar to that of Australia's, who are willing to work in rural and remote locations in New South Wales (NSW). For assessment of your overseas General Practice (family medicine) experience ('recognition of prior learning') please refer to the RACGP or ACRRM website. 

RDN is able to provide assistance to selected OTDs to ensure the transition to rural General Practice in New South Wales is as easy as possible for you and your family. Assess your eligibility for RDN recruitment support.

Other important reading

Immigration
10 Year Moratorium
5 Year OTD Scheme
Pathways to Medical Registration
Medicare Provider Numbers
Grants
Support for families
Rural NSW practice and lifestyle

Optional reading

Employment Contracts and Service Agreements
Locum and Outreach opportunities
Useful links

Apply to work as a rural NSW GP