A guide to living and

working in Australia
for doctors
 So you want to work in Australia?
Is it your dream to work as a doctor in Australia? We’ve put together a guide to help you on your way.
The first thing you need to know is that doctors who want to work in Australia must register with
the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
To do so, overseas-trained doctors must first take an English test such as OET, which proves they have
the right level of English.
Alongside registration, you’ll have to think about applying for a work visa, registering for tax and
arranging accommodation and a bank account.
It might seem a bit overwhelming right now, but if you take it one step at a time and do your research,
you can live your dream of working and living in Australia.
This guide contains:
1. An introduction to AHPRA
2. Information about taking OET as proof of English proficiency
3. Introduction to working and living in Australia
4. Useful Links
5. Contact Us

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 1. An Introduction to the AHPRA of Australia
AHPRA regulates medical doctors in Australia. It’s responsible for making sure doctors have the
required training, education and skills, as well as the right level of English, to work effectively.
All doctors must register with AHPRA to work in Australia. It has strict requirements for medical
qualifications and you must provide proof that your English is at the right level. For more
information, have a look at their website.
You can take OET to show AHPRA your English is good enough to register and work in
Australia.
All doctors wanting to work in Australia must also register with AHPRA.
To find out how to register, follow this link.

2. Information about taking OET as proof of English proficiency

If you studied medicine overseas, you’re considered an international medical graduate. You will
need to take an English test to register and work in Australia.
We recommend OET, an international English language test that assesses the language
proficiency of healthcare professionals who want to register and practise in an English-speaking
environment.

Why do doctors choose OET?  You can find out more on the OET website:

Doctors who want to work in Australia Why choose OET?

choose OET for many reasons, including:  How is OET different to general or
»» OET is recognised by Australia’s academic English tests?
AHPRA and other healthcare boards Who accepts OET as proof of English
and councils proficiency?
»» OET helps you prove you have the right
What’s in the test?
level of English, while at the same time
learning the kind of language you’ll How is OET scored?
need every day at work Where and when can I take OET?
»» OET uses real healthcare scenarios so
How do I apply to take OET?
you’ll feel more confident on test day
»» OET is widely recognised and well How can I prepare for test?
respected Shop for OET preparation materials
»» It’s easy to prepare for the test using Success stories
the OET Preparation Portal
»» OET tests all four language skills:
listening, reading, writing and
speaking.

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3. Introduction to working
and living in Australia
Moving to a new country and starting a
new life is both exciting and scary at the
same time.
We recommend you do as much
research as possible before you arrive
– the more prepared you are, the
smoother your move will be.
Below you will find some pointers
on what you need to do as well as an
explanation of some systems and terms
you might not be familiar with.
 3.1 Applying to work in Australia
Once registration with an Australian healthcare boards or councils is complete, doctors can
search for jobs in a few ways. The Australian Government’s Department of Health offers a
comprehensive list of places to start looking.
Jobs are also advertised in local and national newspapers, healthcare journals and on employer
websites. Once you find a suitable job vacancy, make sure you read the job description carefully
and take your time to apply for it.
You may be asked to take an aptitude tests as part of the recruitment process. These are a
series of tasks that are designed to test the skills you will need for your work. You are also likely
to have a health assessment and criminal record check.

3.2 Apply for a Visa

Once you have found a position, you will need to apply for a visa through the Department of
Immigration and Border Protection. If you’ve accepted a role at a practice, talk to them about
obtaining a visa.
Using the Home Affairs Visa Finder can help you identify which Visa you need.

3.3 Registering for income tax in Australia

To work in Australia, you will need to register for tax and get a Tax File Number (TFN) from the
Australian Taxation Office. This is a unique reference number assigned to individuals who work
in Australia.
You can apply for a TFN and register for income tax here.

3.4 Finding accommodation

When it comes to housing, there are several options available to you. Your choice will depend
on your financial state, and whether you want to share accommodation with others.
Types of accommodation:
»» Studios have a bed, sofa and kitchen all in one room with a separate bathroom.
»» Apartments or units have one or more separate bedrooms and share a common
entrance from the street.
»» Houses have their own entrance from the street.
»» Alternatively, you can look for a shared accommodation (a room in a house sharing a
kitchen, bathroom and lounge).
If rented accommodation is fully furnished, it will be clearly stated in the advert.
In Australia, tenants have specific rights and responsibilities. However, what these are may
differ depending on the state or territory you live in.
Check the Useful Links section at the bottom of this guide for a list of websites.

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 Start looking for houses before you move to get an idea of rent and the suburbs you like. You
may need to stay in hotels, hostels or use Airbnb when you first arrive, so you can inspect
accommodation and make an application to rent.
You will also need to investigate transport options between your accommodation and work.
Find out if it’s near a train station, bus line or if you’re able to walk - use a mapping website to
figure out your route.
When you first arrive, you might not get paid straight away so make sure you have enough
funds to pay for:
»» Temporary accommodation when you arrive
»» Bond/deposit and your first month’s rent – rent is paid in advance
»» Mobile phone and internet access
»» Tax, transport and food.

3.5 Utility bills

Water, gas and electric bills will normally need to be paid monthly. To find out more, take a
look at energy company websites and compare them to see which suits your needs. Websites
such as Canstar and iSelect can help you compare prices and make an informed choice.

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 3.6 Transport
You may need to rely on public transport to commute to work and you can use the following links
to get an idea of the cost and time of travel:

Victoria ACT New South Wales Western Australia

Queensland Tasmania Northern Territory South Australia

Due to Australia’s size, you may want to purchase a car or motorbike, especially if you will
live outside of the major cities. Each state has specific rules on buying and selling as well as
maintenance requirements. Make sure you check these out before you make a purchase.

3.7 Bank accounts

To open an Australian bank account, you will be required to provide both proof of identity and
proof of an Australia address (for example a utility bill or rental contract). To find the right
account, visit each banks’ website and book consultations with staff to make sure you understand
the benefits, terms and conditions.

3.8 Language
The languages spoken in Australia are mainly English.

3.9 Climate
Temperatures vary greatly throughout Australia’s eight states and territories. However, there are
four seasons across most of the county as well as a wet and dry season in the tropical north.
Summer: December to February
Autumn: March to May
Winter: June to August
Spring: September to November

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 4. Useful links
AHPRA
Occupational English Test (OET)
Australian Taxation Office
Australian Department of Home Affairs
OET Preparation Portal
Victoria Housing Info
NSW Housing Info
Queensland Housing Info

4.1 Source links

AHPRA
Occupational English Test (OET)

6. Contact us
If you have a question about OET, go to the Helpdesk.