Every year GPs make the decision to move to Australia due to the lifestyle this vast country can present to them. Whether it is a just a warmer climate that you are looking for or the chance to live close to stunning beaches or lush tropical rainforests, what is for sure is that you will have a much better work/life balance whilst still securing excellent earnings.
A GP career in Australia also offers you the opportunity to work in a very well-run health system. Almost 70% of health expenditure is a publicly funded universal health care insurance scheme in Australia. Medicare is one of the principal ways Australian citizens and permanent residents access most GP and health care services in Australia.
Some frequently asked questions about making the move here as a GP?
Firstly, are GPs demand in Australia?
The short answer is YES. Australia is facing a severe GP shortage with an expected shortage of more than 10,600 GPs by 2031–32.
Regional locations have an exceptionally high demand. Many Australian medical school graduates are hesitant to practice in rural or remote areas with low population density. They frequently do not want to leave the city and travel to the countryside and as a result, there is a high need for appropriately skilled GPs in these regions.
What can I expect to earn as a GP in Australia?
Unlike other specialties, many general practitioners are independent contractors. This means GP earnings vary. Where you work, the number of hours worked, and the type and number of consultations done all have an impact on how much you earn as a GP.
As a GP, most of your earnings will come from Medicare billings. Your income depends on whether you are in a bulk or mixed billing practice, however more practices across Australia are currently moving to a mixed billing model. Other factors that will affect your earnings is how busy the practice is, how many patients you consult to and the quality of patient care given.
The average annual earnings for GPs in Australia is around $350,000 but this can range from $250k – $500k and is dictated by a number of factors. You can increase your earnings significantly depending on the number of days and hours you work. Earnings can be boosted significantly if you choose to work after-hours which carries a higher fee for consults. Also if you choose to work in some very rural locations then you can attract additional incentives especially if you are keen to be involved in local hospital ED departments. GPs, in most circumstances, are not paid a salary. Instead, they receive a percentage of the billings from the practice they work in (this typically around is 65% of your billings).
So, if I am a GP moving to Australia do I have to work in a rural or remote location?
As an International Medical Graduate, in your first job in Australia, you are subject to a 10-year moratorium under section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973. As such you are required to work in an area that can offer you a 19AB exemption in a DPA location.
What is a DPA?
DPA stands for Distribution Priority Areas (DPAs). A DPA identifies areas where people don’t have enough access to doctors, based on the needs of the community. If the position is not in DPA you cannot, as an International Medical Graduate, access Medicare and therefore cannot bill patients for the medical services that you provide them.
How do I check if an area is DPA?
DPA locations can be checked via the Health Workforce Locator https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/health-workforce-locator/app
I understand as an IMG coming to Australia I must now undertake the RACGP PEP Specialist Program, what is this?
All international medical graduates (IMGs) with a recognised overseas specialist qualification who wish to qualify for Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP) need to complete the RACGP PEP Specialist Program. For more information on this please click on the link below to find out more. https://www.racgp.org.au/education/imgs/fellowship-pathways/fellowship-programs-for-imgs/practice-experience-program/practice-experience-program-specialist-streamCGP’s
How do I get medical registration in order to move to Australia and how long does it take?
It will take approx. 9 months to gain medical registration in Australia in order for you to practice as a Specialist GP. Once you have secured a job offer then the registration process commences. There are various steps that you must work through and the team at Simple Care Recruitment can assist you through this registration process.
Once I feel ready to take the next step who can I speak to about GP job opportunities in Australia?
At Simple Care Recruitment, our experienced consultants have assisted many GPs make the move to Australia. We will have an initial and detailed conversation with you, this will cover things such as your proposed timeframes to move to Australia, whether it is just you or if you have family joining you, location preferences etc. Following this initial consult, we will then set about identifying some suitable GP opportunities for your consideration and present these to you. We will also organise interviews on your behalf with selected practices. Following any interviews, we will negotiate contracts on your behalf and finalise all matters with you and the practice. Thereafter we will be on hand to assist with the registration process.
We have a great choice of GP roles across all the states in Australia to present to you. If you are interested in talking to us, we would love to hear from you.
Contact us on:
WhatsApp +61 410 284 333
Email: info@thescrgroup.com.au
www.simplecarerecruitment.com.au