How to Work as a GP in Australia as an IMG — Step by Step Guide

Australia is one of the most popular destinations for international medical graduates (IMGs) looking to practise as General Practitioners. The healthcare system offers competitive pay, excellent working conditions, and a clear (if complex) pathway to fellowship and independent practice. But getting from “I want to work as a GP in Australia” to actually treating patients requires navigating multiple regulatory bodies, visa requirements, and bureaucratic hurdles.

This guide walks you through every step of the process, from initial AMC verification all the way through to understanding your Medicare billing rates. Whether you're a UK-trained GP with an MRCGP CCT, a doctor from South Asia, the Middle East, or anywhere else in the world, these steps apply to you.

We have drawn on the Lumi GP knowledge base — 280+ verified entries — as well as official sources from AHPRA, the Australian Medical Council, RACGP, the Department of Health, and Medicare. Let's get started.

AMC Verification — Proving Your Medical Qualifications

Before you can register with AHPRA or apply for any fellowship pathway in Australia, you need to have your primary medical qualifications verified by the Australian Medical Council (AMC). This is a non-negotiable first step for every IMG.

There are two main routes to obtaining your AMC certificate:

• Standard pathway: If your primary qualification is not from an AMC-accredited medical school, you must pass the AMC examinations. This includes the AMC Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) — a multiple-choice exam — and the AMC Clinical Examination. Both must be passed to receive your AMC certificate.
• Competent Authority pathway: If you hold a qualification from a “competent authority” country (for example, a UK medical degree recognised by the GMC), you may be eligible for primary source verification without sitting the AMC exams. However, you still need to apply through the AMC for verification.

The AMC certificate is essentially your ticket into the Australian medical system. Without it, AHPRA will not process your application. The verification process can take several weeks, so start this as early as possible — ideally before you even apply for your visa.

AHPRA Registration — Getting Licensed to Practise in Australia

Once you have your AMC certificate, the next step is applying for medical registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). AHPRA is the national body responsible for registering all health practitioners in Australia. You cannot legally practise medicine without AHPRA registration.

As an IMG, you will typically be applying for one of the following registration types:

• Limited registration: Allows you to practise under supervision in an approved position. This is often the starting point for IMGs who have not yet completed all fellowship requirements.
• Provisional registration: For doctors who need to complete a period of supervised practice (such as an internship equivalent) before progressing to general registration.
• General registration: Full registration that allows independent practice. For GPs, this is typically achieved after completing an approved fellowship pathway (RACGP or ACRRM).

The AHPRA application requires extensive documentation: your AMC certificate, proof of identity, evidence of recency of practice, English language proficiency evidence (IELTS or OET results), criminal history checks, and details of your clinical experience. Processing times vary but typically take 4–12 weeks, so factor this into your timeline.

Your AHPRA registration type directly affects where you can work, whether you need supervision, and what Medicare billing rate you can access. It is one of the most important foundations of your career in Australia.

Understanding the 19AB Moratorium — Where You Can (and Cannot) Work

This is one of the most misunderstood — and most important — rules affecting IMGs in Australia. Under Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973, new doctors (including IMGs and Australian graduates who obtained their fellowship after a certain date) are restricted from accessing Medicare provider numbers in non-Distribution Priority Area (DPA) locations.

In practical terms, this means that unless you work in a location classified as a DPA, you will not be able to bill Medicare — which effectively means you cannot earn income as a GP in that area. The moratorium is designed to direct the medical workforce toward areas of doctor shortage, primarily rural and regional Australia.

Key things to understand about the 19AB moratorium:

• DPA locations: These are areas classified by the Department of Health as having a shortage of doctors. Most rural and regional areas are DPA. Some outer metropolitan areas also qualify. The DPA classification is reviewed regularly.
• Duration: The moratorium period is typically 10 years from the date of your first Medicare provider number, though specific rules vary depending on your circumstances and any exemptions.
• Exemptions exist: There are several exemptions from the moratorium, including the spousal exemption, academic exemption, and after-hours exemption. Each has specific eligibility criteria. Lumi can walk you through these in detail.
• Modified Monash Model (MMM): Locations are classified from MM1 (major cities) to MM7 (very remote). Higher MM classifications generally have better access to Medicare provider numbers and may attract additional incentive payments.

Before you accept any job offer, you must confirm that the clinic's location is classified as DPA, or that you hold a valid exemption. Getting this wrong can mean months of delay and lost income.

Choosing a Fellowship Pathway — PEP, EAP, FSP, and AGPT Explained

To practise as an independent GP in Australia and achieve general registration with AHPRA, you need to complete an approved fellowship pathway. For IMGs, the main options are:

PEP — Practice Experience Program

The PEP is the most common pathway for overseas-qualified GPs who already hold a postgraduate GP qualification from their home country. It is run by the RACGP and is specifically designed for doctors who trained in general practice overseas. PEP has two streams:

• Substantially Comparable (SC) stream: For doctors whose qualifications are assessed as substantially comparable to RACGP Fellowship. This stream takes approximately 6 months of supervised practice. Doctors who hold the MRCGP CCT (the UK's GP qualification via the Certificate of Completion of Training) often qualify for the SC stream.
• Partially Comparable (PC) stream: For doctors whose qualifications are assessed as partially comparable. This stream requires approximately 2 years of supervised practice and includes additional assessment components.

EAP — Expedited AHPRA Pathway

The EAP is a newer pathway designed to fast-track experienced overseas-trained GPs into the Australian workforce. It provides an expedited route to AHPRA registration and ultimately fellowship, with a focus on getting qualified doctors practising sooner while meeting Australian standards.

FSP — Fellowship Support Program

The FSP is designed for non-VR (non-vocationally registered) doctors who are already practising in Australia and want to achieve fellowship. It provides support, supervision, and a structured pathway toward RACGP or ACRRM fellowship.

AGPT — Australian General Practice Training

The AGPT program is the main training pathway for doctors who want to complete full GP training in Australia from scratch. It typically takes 3–4 years and involves rotations through accredited training practices. While primarily designed for Australian-trained doctors, some IMGs also enter the AGPT.

Your choice of pathway depends on your existing qualifications, how they are assessed against Australian standards, and how quickly you want to achieve fellowship. The PEP SC stream is typically the fastest route for experienced overseas GPs with recognised qualifications.

482 Visa Requirements — The Most Common Work Visa for IMG Doctors

The Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa is the most common work visa used by IMG doctors coming to Australia. It allows you to work for an approved sponsor (your employing clinic or healthcare organisation) for up to four years, depending on the stream.

Key requirements for the 482 visa:

• Employer sponsorship: You need a clinic or healthcare organisation that is an approved sponsor (or willing to become one) to nominate you for the visa.
• Skills assessment: General Practitioners are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). You will typically need a skills assessment, though the specifics depend on your qualifications and the visa stream.
• English language: You must meet the English language requirements for the visa, which typically means achieving a minimum score on IELTS or OET. Note that AHPRA has its own English requirements which may differ.
• Health and character checks: Standard visa requirements including medical examinations and police clearances.
• Pathway to permanency: The 482 visa can provide a pathway to permanent residency through employer nomination (Subclass 186 visa) after meeting certain time and work requirements.

Many clinics in rural and regional Australia are experienced sponsors and can guide you through the visa process. Some will cover visa costs as part of your employment package. Always clarify visa sponsorship arrangements before accepting a position.

Finding a GP Job in Australia

There are many ways to find a GP position in Australia. Some doctors use agencies, others find positions through networking, rural workforce agencies, or online marketplaces.

Heart Bridge provides a marketplace where doctors and clinics can find each other directly. We offer guidance and a platform — not recruitment. By connecting doctors and clinics transparently, both parties can make informed decisions.

When evaluating job offers, pay attention to:

• Billing split: The percentage of billings you keep versus what the clinic retains. This is the single biggest factor in your take-home income.
• Supervision arrangements: If you are on a pathway (PEP, EAP, FSP, AGPT), the clinic must provide appropriate supervision. Ensure this is clearly defined.
• Visa sponsorship: Confirm whether the clinic will sponsor your 482 visa and who bears the cost.
• DPA status: Verify the clinic is in a DPA location (or that you have an exemption) before committing.
• Contract terms: Restraint clauses, notice periods, billing model (bulk billing vs mixed billing vs private billing), and indemnity arrangements all matter.

Credentialing — What Every Clinic Must Verify

Before you start seeing patients at any clinic in Australia, the clinic must complete a credentialing process. This is not optional — it is a legal and accreditation requirement. Credentialing ensures that every doctor working at the practice has been properly verified.

The credentialing process typically involves verifying:

• Identity: Proof of identity documents (passport, driver's licence, etc.).
• AHPRA registration: Current registration status, type, and any conditions or undertakings.
• Qualifications: Your primary medical degree, postgraduate qualifications, AMC certificate, and any specialist qualifications.
• Professional indemnity insurance: Evidence of current medical indemnity cover (e.g., through MDA National, Avant, or MIPS).
• Working with Children Check: Required in most states and territories.
• Criminal history check: A national police check is standard.
• Immunisation status: Evidence of relevant vaccinations, including hepatitis B and COVID-19.
• Right to work: Visa documentation confirming your right to work in Australia.

Have all your documents organised and ready to go before you start at a new clinic. The credentialing process can take 1–3 weeks, and you cannot see patients until it is complete. Many clinics use platforms like Lumi Clinic to manage credentialing digitally, which speeds up the process significantly.

Understanding Your Billing Rates — A1, A2, and A7 Explained

Your Medicare billing rate determines how much Medicare pays for each consultation you provide. As an IMG, the rate you can access depends on your fellowship pathway status and the location of your practice. Understanding this is critical because it directly affects your income.

The three main billing rates relevant to IMG GPs are:

The difference between A1 and A7/A2 rates can be substantial over the course of a year, potentially tens of thousands of dollars in lost income. This is why getting onto a fellowship pathway (PEP, EAP, FSP, or AGPT) as soon as possible is one of the most financially impactful decisions you can make as an IMG in Australia.

In addition to base billing rates, the government offers various incentive payments for GPs working in rural areas, including the Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) and bulk billing incentive payments. These can significantly boost your total income, particularly in MM3–MM7 locations.

How Lumi Helps IMGs Navigate the Australian GP System

The information in this guide covers the fundamentals, but every doctor's situation is different. Your specific qualifications, country of training, visa status, family circumstances, and career goals all affect which pathway is best for you and what steps to take next.

That's where Lumi comes in. Lumi is a free AI assistant built specifically for GPs in Australia. It draws on a knowledge base of 280+ verified entries covering every topic in this guide and more — from the nuances of moratorium exemptions to the specifics of after-hours provider numbers.

What Lumi can help you with:

• Personalised advice on which fellowship pathway suits your qualifications
• Checking whether your MRCGP CCT or other overseas GP qualification qualifies for PEP SC
• Understanding how the moratorium applies to your specific situation
• Calculating your expected income based on location, billing model, and pathway
• Explaining the HW019 form and exemption application process
• Guidance on provider number applications and Medicare setup
• Answering questions about supervision requirements and progression

Lumi is completely free for all doctors. No subscription, no trial period, no hidden costs. It was built by Heart Bridge Health with the mission of making the Australian GP system less confusing for everyone who works in it.