IMG moving to australia

[Adnan123456789]

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Hi there

I am an IMG planning to move to australia after my graduation. What i would like to know is , what is requiered to increase the chance of getting the Aus PGY1/PGY2 after Passing AMC ? Because i have heard that a lot of IMG's have passed the certificate exam for AMC put are unable to get the PGY1 jobs in Australia/nz

any suggestion ?

Does doing electives in aus help while at school ? I have done 3 electives in germany while at medschool.

 

[Domperidone]

Yes, electives in Australia help. Hospitals become familiar with you and your potential skills. Australian referees are always preferred for jobs.
It also shows willingness to become familiar with Australian medical culture and the healthcare system. Every western country while similar is not identical.

It is increasingly competitive in Australia for jobs unless you are willing to go rural. Long story short. You can try research. That also helps.

 

[valeo]

Hi there

I am an IMG planning to move to australia after my graduation. What i would like to know is , what is requiered to increase the chance of getting the Aus PGY1/PGY2 after Passing AMC ? Because i have heard that a lot of IMG's have passed the certificate exam for AMC put are unable to get the PGY1 jobs in Australia/nz

any suggestion ?

Does doing electives in aus help while at school ? I have done 3 electives in germany while at medschool.

Hi Adnan,

I am curious if you are familiar if there are any visa options for fresh IMGs wanting to work in Au? If I have understood the latest statements well, they are in the process of removing these, right? Only specialists remained on the new MLTSSL and STSOL.. Please, do correct me if I am wrong.

Best

 

[Domperidone]

Hi Adnan,

I am curious if you are familiar if there are any visa options for fresh IMGs wanting to work in Au? If I have understood the latest statements well, they are in the process of removing these, right? Only specialists remained on the new MLTSSL and STSOL.. Please, do correct me if I am wrong.

Best

Good point to consider VISAs. I nearly forgot.

Can you link the websites relevant to the statements you've been reading? Otherwise this just hangs in the grapevine.

 

[Haldol25]

As I personally experienced, the choking point for IMGs from Asia( after passing AMC 1 and 2+ IELTS+ PR or citizenship) would be getting their first job with no Australian experience. There are numerous hospital based locum jobs and everything is handled by private recruitment agencies. The recruiters and hospitals advertise for someone with Australian or experience from UK, NZ, Canada or SA (without any AMC or college assessments) or someone already having general registration (not limited or provisional).So, inspite of clearly accomplishing all the hurdles with exams and visas many of my colleagues including me are jobless.The hospitals are ready to pay high dollars for locums and private recruiters instead of giving someone a chance to work for one year rotations and retain them.

 

[Domperidone]

As I personally experienced, the choking point for IMGs from Asia( after passing AMC 1 and 2+ IELTS+ PR or citizenship) would be getting their first job with no Australian experience. There are numerous hospital based locum jobs and everything is handled by private recruitment agencies. The recruiters and hospitals advertise for someone with Australian or experience from UK, NZ, Canada or SA (without any AMC or college assessments) or someone already having general registration (not limited or provisional).So, inspite of clearly accomplishing all the hurdles with exams and visas many of my colleagues including me are jobless.The hospitals are ready to pay high dollars for locums and private recruiters instead of giving someone a chance to work for one year rotations and retain them.

Sorry for what happened to you!
But thanks for sharing, it's very insightful and I think it's something that has to be said.

What I end up seeing sometimes are IMGs who find employment then realize how different the hospital system is. They fall even further behind, and as we are in over supply, they end up not getting rehired after a year. So it goes back to the drawing board. Or worse, their contract is terminated early. Even with a chance, expectations run high, as there are so many who can replace you. I'm certainly not saying that all IMGs end up this way, or that this will be your fate, but it is a very tough road! Any IMG would have to be incredibly resilient and determined to make it. I've worked with those who "successfully" found and retained jobs too - but they too went through a lot.

 

[Domperidone]

Good point to consider VISAs. I nearly forgot.

Can you link the websites relevant to the statements you've been reading? Otherwise this just hangs in the grapevine.

Following up on this,
I remember tracking the websites and news way back. Fairly sure they're buried in the threads somewhere from previous discussions.

But here we go again:

“The 15 positions facing deletion from the skilled occupations list include general practitioner, anaesthetist, paediatrician and cardiologist. Removing these occupations would block foreign doctors from applying for entry to Australia via independent or family sponsored points tested visas or through temporary graduate visas.

But the Australian health department and the AMA said there were other visa categories through which foreign doctors could apply, including employer sponsored visas or temporary work visas, and overseas trained doctors were still welcome.” (Financial Times: November 1st 2016. Subscribe to read)

Forecast oversupply of doctors to hit this year amid calls to halt imports
Subscribe to read
And here http://www.gpjobsinaustralia.co.uk/work-visas-for-australia [one inaccuracy in this one - 457 is going to be replaced]

It's not that things have been removed.
It's that there is or has been discussion on whether they should be from the independent stream
Let's just all take a deep breath for now.

 

[valeo]

Good point to consider VISAs. I nearly forgot.

Can you link the websites relevant to the statements you've been reading? Otherwise this just hangs in the grapevine.

I am so sorry for not getting back to you earlier. I will post the statements I've been going through as soon I find them. Additionally, I will try to find new info concerning the updates from March 18th.

Cheers!

 

[Nazia hassan]

Hello people,
I have a few questions.. my husband is an mbbs doctor working as a resident in a major govt hospital in saudi arabia for more than ten years. In different departments.. medicine,nephro,sickle and currently in ER .. now we are thinking of moving to australia. The procedure is quite long.with ielts/pte. Amf mcq..then going there finding job .then passing clinical exam.
My question is with more than ten years of experience will he be able to get job easily in australia.l? And how much is the salary scale there for gps? Is moving to Australia worth all the hassle? Please someone guide me

 

[Domperidone]

Hello people,
I have a few questions.. my husband is an mbbs doctor working as a resident in a major govt hospital in saudi arabia for more than ten years. In different departments.. medicine,nephro,sickle and currently in ER .. now we are thinking of moving to australia. The procedure is quite long.with ielts/pte. Amf mcq..then going there finding job .then passing clinical exam.
My question is with more than ten years of experience will he be able to get job easily in australia.l? And how much is the salary scale there for gps? Is moving to Australia worth all the hassle? Please someone guide me

Please read through CP's thread
US doctor moving to Australia

Google is also your best friend.
Try googling GP salary in Australia?

 

[Nazia hassan]

Hello people,
I have a few questions.. my husband is an mbbs doctor working as a resident in a major govt hospital in saudi arabia for more than ten years. In different departments.. medicine,nephro,sickle and currently in ER .. now we are thinking of moving to australia. The procedure is quite long.with ielts/pte. Amf mcq..then going there finding job .then passing clinical exam.
My question is with more than ten years of experience will he be able to get job easily in australia.l? And how much is the salary scale there for gps? Is moving to Australia worth all the hassle? Please someone guide me

Please read through CP's thread
US doctor moving to Australia

Google is also your best friend.
Try googling GP salary in Australia?

Thankyou for the share . I have pasted my question there but its an old thread and for doctors from US..
My husband has done mbbs from pakistan and has experience of both pakistan and saudi arabia. . Big difference i mean between us and pakistan.
And google tells different things .i am unable to rely on it.. need words from someome living there.

 

[Domperidone]

Sure, feel free to wait here for a reply in that case.

My point is try Google to take you to official websites and resources set up by government. They will at least tell you things like salary and years of training.

The other thread is actually very relevant and not limited to American doctors. It's a great for all IMGs and answers a lot of your qs. Have you tried reading it before dismissing it?

Or all you tried was copying and pasting your question? Because that wasn't my suggestion at all...

Please do have a read. Many of your qs are not limited to where you and your husband are from and that thread already has excellent responses.

Lol like no **** Pakistan is not the US. But to Australia you're all IMGs. There is no specific exam for only Americans or only Indians etc. Some things you have to do are going to be the same.

Good luck!

 

[Nazia hassan]

Sure, feel free to wait here for a reply in that case.

My point is try Google to take you to official websites and resources set up by government. They will at least tell you things like salary and years of training.

The other thread is actually very relevant and not limited to American doctors. It's a great for all IMGs and answers a lot of your qs. Have you tried reading it before dismissing it?

Or all you tried was copying and pasting your question? Because that wasn't my suggestion at all...

Please do have a read. Many of your qs are not limited to where you and your husband are from and that thread already has excellent responses.

Lol like no **** Pakistan is not the US. But to Australia you're all IMGs. There is no specific exam for only Americans or only Indians etc. Some things you have to do are going to be the same.

Good luck!

I know what u mean and yes i read many of the posts and got a lot of information but they dont exactly answer some of my questions i am most concerned about..i said us and pakistan are different since it says on thw amc page that doctors from us ; newZealand, south africa, canada and the like are not required to pass amc mcq .and from many other blogs i have come to know that preference is given to them over someone coming from pakistan india or Bangladesh etc.. thats why i want to know if we will get job easily and in short time or not. And the google is showing different pay scales there is something called percentage of billing too instead of salary. ..here also i want to know. If the salaries/ percentage of billing are same for asian drs or lesser than mentioned on these sites.

If anyone one can suggest an official site .i would be thankful . since most of the sites i checked are from private companies who help find jobs.
My husband is confused since someone told him an year back that u may earn around 4000 aud a month without housing. While he is already earning here 3500 a month with housing and medical. So i wish to know from someone in similar position
Thanks for your time

 

[Domperidone]

I know what u mean and yes i read many of the posts and got a lot of information but they dont exactly answer some of my questions i am most concerned about..i said us and pakistan are different since it says on thw amc page that doctors from us ; newZealand, south africa, canada and the like are not required to pass amc mcq .and from many other blogs i have come to know that preference is given to them over someone coming from pakistan india or Bangladesh etc.. thats why i want to know if we will get job easily and in short time or not. And the google is showing different pay scales there is something called percentage of billing too instead of salary. ..here also i want to know. If the salaries/ percentage of billing are same for asian drs or lesser than mentioned on these sites.

If anyone one can suggest an official site .i would be thankful . since most of the sites i checked are from private companies who help find jobs.
My husband is confused since someone told him an year back that u may earn around 4000 aud a month without housing. While he is already earning here 3500 a month with housing and medical. So i wish to know from someone in similar position
Thanks for your time

Apart from CP's thread there's not much on IMGs unfortunately.

SDN may not be the most suitable forum for discussing IMGs and Australia. As it is an American site with predominantly American users. There are non-americans occasionally. but for a specific questions like the ones you have or specifically wanting a Pakistan/Saudi Arabian perspective -- you could be waiting a long time. I don't know if more suited forums exist, but they could be out there.

Google "GP salary HETI NSW".
The first link is a comprehensive guide.

 

[Nazia hassan]

Apart from CP's thread there's not much on IMGs unfortunately.

SDN may not be the most suitable forum for discussing IMGs and Australia. As it is an American site with predominantly American users. There are non-americans occasionally but for a specific questions like the ones you have and specifically wanting a Pakistan/Saudi Arabian perspective, you could be waiting a long time. I don't know if more suited forums exist, but they could be out there.

Google "GP salary HETI NSW".
The first link is a comprehensive guide.

Thanks alot for your help.

 

[jerry19800218]

Need help! I am a pathologist in China have worked ten years.
Anyone can tell me something about the assessment of area of need applications who wish to practice in Australia?

 

[Domperidone]

I'm sorry..
but I'm starting to get tired of spoonfeeding fully qualified doctors when i'm not one myself. And then essentially getting attitude for not being able to spoon feed to the exact specifications sought.

Have you -
Actually looked at the AHPRA website?
Medical Board of Australia - International medical graduates (IMGs), like clicked on all the links? Medical Board of Australia - Specialist pathway - area of need
Have you looked at the exams?
Australian Medical Council » IMG Guides
Exactly what research have you do so far into the Australian pathway? Anything?
Or did you just come in here and post?
Any chance you're aware of the royal college of pathologists - RCPA - Overseas Trained Specialists

This is a predominantly American site, most users in this area are American students looking at attending medical school in Australia, with some Canadians or Singaporeans. So the answer is, I'm sorry, very few people in here will be able to answer and you will have to be patient and wait. Or try hunting for a forum that is primarily focussed on IMGs helping out other IMGs.

Please look at CP's thread as in read it, don't abuse that thread by expecting further spoonfeeding by copying and pasting your same general question. Not when they've already likely addressed your questions. Fairly sure some IMG pathologist asked CP similar q's before and they've answered.

 

[amj15]

hi,
i have done my graduation and pediatric diploma from india and currently working in dubai for past 3 years as a gp in pediatric emergency.we are planning to migrate to australia next year, as we got a PR visa. i have passed my AMC Part 1 and OET.i want to know the next steps i have to do.Also is there any chance to get pediatric job without amc part 2.plz help

 

[Domperidone]

hi,
i have done my graduation and pediatric diploma from india and currently working in dubai for past 3 years as a gp in pediatric emergency.we are planning to migrate to australia next year, as we got a PR visa. i have passed my AMC Part 1 and OET.i want to know the next steps i have to do.Also is there any chance to get pediatric job without amc part 2.plz help

Either you take the AMC2 or you find a hospital that will give an "internship" for a year.
The only alternative is 'limited' supervision, where you do intern rotations at a hospital. It may be paid or unpaid. These are not easy to get either.
Under limited, you have to do emergency, IM, surgery, all as an intern. Unless you try to do the AMC II, in which case you may be able to skip this. With peds job, you're not like to get something 100% peds, you may be able to find a hospital that offers 1-2 peds rotations as a rotating resident. Unlike say the US, peds is very competitive and highly sought after by Australian grads.

From the IMGs I've known (purely anecdotal) from non-English speaking backgrounds. on average, it takes 1-2 years to just get through AMC II (as spots are limited to rego for) or find a hospital to take them. So not working as a doctor for up to 2 years. If you're lucky. But I've also known those who spend 4-5 years and are still not in paid positions.

I can't recommend hospitals for you, that's work you have to do on your own. Most hospitals generally have 1-2 IMG observers and IMGs under limited supervision anyway. You have to sell yourself to them. Of the few IMGs of non English speaking backgrounds I've known, 50% survive limited supervision or are able to keep up. The rest repeat or switch careers. Obviously very anecdotal observation here. I've worked with or for very incredible IMGs, they have or are my referees in my own short career. But I've also known or worked with IMGs who were even out done by students on the teams - in that we would trust the students more that IMGs with medical degrees with our patients. It's competitive now there's usually no second chances.

There's no easy way. And there's always a huge demand for AMC2 and limited supervision spots by IMGs.
There's actually a massive demand in general by IMGs from India, the Middle East and China. All after a piece of the pie seen as a better life and better pay in some Western country - I get it. There are also refugees looking for a better anything. But this in a country where priority goes to their own Australian graduates (large in number already) and a country that has an agreement with UK & Ireland (they don't need the AMCs and are hired next). We have a very large number of Irish and UK grads coming over because of unhappiness with NHS hours. So you have to be very desperate and have nothing to lose to make it through hoops and competition, if you want or need to make that jump from a non-Western country to a Western one.

 

[Podolsking]

Either you take the AMC2 or you find a hospital that will give an "internship" for a year.
The only alternative is 'limited' supervision, where you do intern rotations at a hospital. It may be paid or unpaid. These are not easy to get either.
Under limited, you have to do emergency, IM, surgery, all as an intern. Unless you try to do the AMC II, in which case you may be able to skip this. With peds job, you're not like to get something 100% peds, you may be able to find a hospital that offers 1-2 peds rotations as a rotating resident. Unlike say the US, peds is very competitive and highly sought after by Australian grads.

From the IMGs I've known (purely anecdotal) from non-English speaking backgrounds. on average, it takes 1-2 years to just get through AMC II (as spots are limited to rego for) or find a hospital to take them. So not working as a doctor for up to 2 years. If you're lucky. But I've also known those who spend 4-5 years and are still not in paid positions.

I can't recommend hospitals for you, that's work you have to do on your own. Most hospitals generally have 1-2 IMG observers and IMGs under limited supervision anyway. You have to sell yourself to them. Of the few IMGs of non English speaking backgrounds I've known, 50% survive limited supervision or are able to keep up. The rest repeat or switch careers. Obviously very anecdotal observation here. I've worked with or for very incredible IMGs, they have or are my referees in my own short career. But I've also known or worked with IMGs who were even out done by students on the teams - in that we would trust the students more that IMGs with medical degrees with our patients. It's competitive now there's usually no second chances.

There's no easy way. And there's always a huge demand for AMC2 and limited supervision spots by IMGs.
There's actually a massive demand in general by IMGs from India, the Middle East and China. All after a piece of the pie seen as a better life and better pay in some Western country - I get it. There are also refugees looking for a better anything. But this in a country where priority goes to their own Australian graduates (large in number already) and a country that has an agreement with UK & Ireland (they don't need the AMCs and are hired next). We have a very large number of Irish and UK grads coming over because of unhappiness with NHS hours. So you have to be very desperate and have nothing to lose to make it through hoops and competition, if you want or need to make that jump from a non-Western country to a Western one.

Your responses have been extremely helpful. Well Basically I'm in my final year in medical school in Turkey. I was born and raised in Australia however due to some family circumstances I had to move here in high school. I want to move to Australia but the troubling bottle neck situation is really making me think twice. So after passing the AMC 2 would it still be really difficult to secure my first job even if Im willing to go to any rural hospital.
I heard theres a huge demand for doctors in the UK and jobs after the PLAB are easy to come by so I was potentially considering that because of the situation in Australia. Do you happen to know much about that?

Thanks so much

 

[Domperidone]

Your responses have been extremely helpful. Well Basically I'm in my final year in medical school in Turkey. I was born and raised in Australia however due to some family circumstances I had to move here in high school. I want to move to Australia but the troubling bottle neck situation is really making me think twice. So after passing the AMC 2 would it still be really difficult to secure my first job even if Im willing to go to any rural hospital.
I heard theres a huge demand for doctors in the UK and jobs after the PLAB are easy to come by so I was potentially considering that because of the situation in Australia. Do you happen to know much about that?

Thanks so much

I know next to nothing about finding jobs in the UK, try the UK forums?
Best of luck!

 

[ccrose]

I know next to nothing about finding jobs in the UK, try the UK forums?
Best of luck!

Wow you are amazing! Thank you so much for actually taking the time to share these resources! I am a non-US citizen who did my undergrad in the US and considering applying to the very excellent med schools in Australia for the 2020 cycle. Just wondering, if you are a non-citizen trained in an Australian med school (unlike the residency situation) do you know if you're still considered an IMG when looking for residency + further training? Sorry if this is an ignorant question and tysm for your time.

 

[ccrose]

Whoops, I did some digging around and it looks p bleak even as an AUS-trained non-citizen or permanent resident. It seems like you're at par with Australians about fulfilling all requirements (avoid the extra hurdles that non AUS trained IMG's have in terms of learning content or networking) but are disadvantaged on the basis of citizenship for all future career options. Wondering how much of a handicap that is and will keep looking through forums cuz I'm sure folks have been in this situation....

 

[Lomors]

Hello,

I'm a medical student from Pomeranian Medical University in Poland (doing 3th year of medicine). I am really interested in emigrating to Australia as an IMG and I have few questions regarding it. I realise that propably some of the questions I'll ask have been answered. It's just that I've spent so much time digging for information about VISA, pathways, AMC MCQ tests etc. now I feel even more confused by everything. So here I go:

1. What is the current status of visa for IMGs and medical practicioners? I've read many articles from 2016 about it being subject to change due to doctor oversupply. Do you expect any changes in future?
2. From many opinions I've read I realise that getting and intern position for and IMG is a really hard thing right now. But excatly "how hard" is it? Is it still possible for imgs to get and intern position in rural Australia? As I understand you apply for an intern position for each state seperately. Where do imgs have the biggest chances do get a position?
3. As I said, I don't mind going rural. I feel like I'd actually prefer it. Could you recommend me where should I look for rural australian medical elective placements? If there's anyone with some experience about rural Australia and could share that'd be great.
4. While going through standard pathway for IMGs, after sitting an AMC MCQ test and securing your job position (as an intern right?) you work in Australia and prepare to pass AMC clinical. During your 1 year internship you are obligated to pass clinical part, is that correct? What happens if you should fail the clinical? Are you still eligible to work in hospitals? If not, what are your options? Is it better to try to take AMC clinical test before you go to work to Australia?
5. While doing my research I've come across an institution called METC Institute. It provides something what is called AMC Registrar Training Program. I can't attach a link but if you google it, it should appear. What I understand about it you apply for 600 dollars and if you are accepted you have 1 year of online learning after which you take AMC exam and then if everything's okay they look for you an intern position. While doing internship you also attend some courses so throughout whole year while also working you have to pay about 20 000 dollars. Then you take clinical exam. Do you think it's a good option or it's more like trying to make some money on IMGs?
6. Last question: I'm currently doing my medical elective placement in Manchester UK. As moving to Australia as an IMG seems so risky now I think of going to UK or Ireland (it would be much easier for me since EU and stuff). I've somewhere that after working for two years in english country you are eligible for applying through competent authority pathway. Is that correct?

Thank you for all the answers and once again I'm sorry not putting enough effort to find them on my own. There are just so many unclear things that raise even more questions. I'm starting to accept that most propably it would be much better for me to do my specialisation in UK/Ireland and then think about immigration. Despite it I'd still much rather start as an IMG in rural Australia.

 

[Lomors]

Your responses have been extremely helpful. Well Basically I'm in my final year in medical school in Turkey. I was born and raised in Australia however due to some family circumstances I had to move here in high school. I want to move to Australia but the troubling bottle neck situation is really making me think twice. So after passing the AMC 2 would it still be really difficult to secure my first job even if Im willing to go to any rural hospital.
I heard theres a huge demand for doctors in the UK and jobs after the PLAB are easy to come by so I was potentially considering that because of the situation in Australia. Do you happen to know much about that?

Thanks so much

As I'm thinking about UK as an alternative and I'm doing my placement in Manchester right now I can confirm that UK is really lacking doctors (because they go to Australia ). Because of the Brexit and many doctors being even more scared making highly competetive specialisation there is far way easier now than it used to be. That's my huge dilemma UK/Australia...

 

[Happy76]

Has anyone else heard of this METC program?

 

[BigPikachu]

Hi there

I am an IMG planning to move to australia after my graduation. What i would like to know is , what is requiered to increase the chance of getting the Aus PGY1/PGY2 after Passing AMC ? Because i have heard that a lot of IMG's have passed the certificate exam for AMC put are unable to get the PGY1 jobs in Australia/nz

any suggestion ?

Does doing electives in aus help while at school ? I have done 3 electives in germany while at medschool.

It's very hard to get an Intern (PGY1) position in Australia. Almost all the internships are preferencially given to Australian graduates with Australian citizenship, then Australian graduates with international citizenships, and then if there are any left at all, to international medical graduates.

What I would suggest is that you complete your PGY1 +/- PGY2 in your home country first. Then when you're in PGY2+ to come over. There are more job opportunities for Residents / House Officers in Australian hospitals.

Good luck!

 

[Happy76]

Just curious to hear the current landscape. I'm studying at an offshore university but am an Australian citizen. I understand I'll be treated as an IMG. Given my citizenship (assuming it plays any part), what are my chances of securing an internship in Australia?

 

[txm88]

Just curious to hear the current landscape. I'm studying at an offshore university but am an Australian citizen. I understand I'll be treated as an IMG. Given my citizenship (assuming it plays any part), what are my chances of securing an internship in Australia?

Unfortunately zero even with your citizenship as you are near the bottom of the priority list

You cannot go through the centralised internship matching process local graduates go through, however that is not the only path towards medical board registration. IMGs with AMC certificate can obtain eventual registration through finding find odd roles in rural hospitals (ED resident, psych resident etc), these are found by contacting hospitals directly. I think you can also work as a non-VR GP (but you may need previous experience and be assessed by PESCI)

Very complicated process you will need to figure out yourself by looking at pathways to general registration on AHPRA website . Many IMGs mistakenly think internship is the only way to registration.

 

[DoconGC]

Has anyone else heard of this METC program?

Hi

Which program of METC are you talking about?

 

[Dr Slall]

Adnan, where do you work? How far are you in going to Australia.

 

[dj123456]

Hi there,

I'm just jumping in here in case anyone has some advice (I know that studentdoctor is primarily a US based site, but I haven't had luck in other sites with my questions).

My partner (first year doctor from the Netherlands) and I are planning a move to Australia in the next few years as I am Australian. We have done a lot of research, but it's hard to know where to start - we are also seeing so much contradictory information. I think we are looking at him taking the Standard pathway but I have a few questions, and if anyone can provide advise that would be great!

- We can are considering applying for PR before moving via the partner visa route - is this a recommended choice? I believe he will then be subject to section 19AA of the HIA but I don't quite know what that means. Alternatively he comes on a visa?

- Preferably we would like to get around the rural working requirement (at least initially) so we can be close to family. How does this work exactly with medicare? and does the 10 year moratorium begin from the moment he receives limited registration or when he receives general registration?

- Can he apply to specialise in Australia once he receives general registration?

If anyone has advice or experience on the above areas, I'd greatly appreciate it!
Thanks!

 

[sean80439]

He will have to look at the specific pathways to general registration. The moratorium starts I believe after your general registration but you don't bill medicare until you are a specialist. Most people end up spending close to 10 years between resident and training years that it doesn't usually affect you with the rural/regional requirement. You can work anywhere as a trainee/resident that has positions available. The hard part is going to be the first prelim year if you aren't already a specialist. Most of those positions are only available in more regional locations.

 

[godgiveme528]

Sorry if this makes no sense, I'm trying to wrap my head around this 10-year-moratorium concept but don't really get it fully.

My question is, can the 10-year-moratorium rule be bypassed if one becomes a Permanent Resident (PR) of Australia at some point during their time as a med student? I don't mind working in rural areas but 10 years is a crazy long time to be restricted. Provided that I don't mind becoming an Australian PR (or Citizen) at some point during/before these 10 years begin, is this restriction uplifted in any way?

If I was wayyyy off on my interpretation of the 10-year-moratorium then please lemme know, I'm pretty dumb when it comes to legal jargon

 

[Wolvvs]

Sorry if this makes no sense, I'm trying to wrap my head around this 10-year-moratorium concept but don't really get it fully.

My question is, can the 10-year-moratorium rule be bypassed if one becomes a Permanent Resident (PR) of Australia at some point during their time as a med student? I don't mind working in rural areas but 10 years is a crazy long time to be restricted. Provided that I don't mind becoming an Australian PR (or Citizen) at some point during/before these 10 years begin, is this restriction uplifted in any way?

If I was wayyyy off on my interpretation of the 10-year-moratorium then please lemme know, I'm pretty dumb when it comes to legal jargon

Short answer is no. 10 year moratorium applies if you commence as an international student. Also if you become a citizen during medical school, that could jeopardize your status as an international student so you must discuss with your school before becoming a citizen or PR, or you could risk losing your spot.

There are a few factors that make things much more palatable, I'll go through them briefly here but it's definitely worth doing some of your own research. You can reduce the length of the moratorium by working in rural or remote areas. Also the moratorium is specifically on billing Medicare so there are certain practice settings you can work in where you won't be affected. The limits on where you can work aren't bad if you're a specialist, you can get close to or even in downtown metro areas. To be a GP you will probably need to be further from the city. Finally, time spent training post-intern year counts towards the 10 year moratorium, but you will not be restricted in where you can train (other than the inherent disadvantage you face as an international graduate).

There's a lot of nuance that I can't explain in a short post/I may not even be aware of so please discuss with others who are currently working their way through the process of training as an international graduate in Australia. Hopefully this helps a bit though.

 

[godgiveme528]

Also if you become a citizen during medical school, that could jeopardize your status as an international student so you must discuss with your school before becoming a citizen or PR, or you could risk losing your spot.

Ah great point, I will definitely double-check with them if I'm beginning to think of going this route.

Thanks for all the other useful info regarding the 10-year-moratorium as well, it makes a lot more sense now and seems (a little bit) less daunting than before

 

[sean80439]

Short answer is no. 10 year moratorium applies if you commence as an international student. Also if you become a citizen during medical school, that could jeopardize your status as an international student so you must discuss with your school before becoming a citizen or PR, or you could risk losing your spot.

There are a few factors that make things much more palatable, I'll go through them briefly here but it's definitely worth doing some of your own research. You can reduce the length of the moratorium by working in rural or remote areas. Also the moratorium is specifically on billing Medicare so there are certain practice settings you can work in where you won't be affected. The limits on where you can work aren't bad if you're a specialist, you can get close to or even in downtown metro areas. To be a GP you will probably need to be further from the city. Finally, time spent training post-intern year counts towards the 10 year moratorium, but you will not be restricted in where you can train (other than the inherent disadvantage you face as an international graduate).

There's a lot of nuance that I can't explain in a short post/I may not even be aware of so please discuss with others who are currently working their way through the process of training as an international graduate in Australia. Hopefully this helps a bit though.

After general registration this isn't particularly an issue. Not sure why you think it is. Hospitals don't care as long as you have general registration that is current, and a visa that allows you to work. Perhaps the limitation might be the training colleges expecting you to have PR first, but I would expect that if you are planning on entering a training pathway that is 4-8 years in duration PR seems logical to have prior. Additionally, the colleges that are expecting the PRs are going to be more competitive and will require PHO years prior, which will give you plenty of time to get your PR prior to applying.

 

[Wolvvs]

After general registration this isn't particularly an issue. Not sure why you think it is. Hospitals don't care as long as you have general registration that is current, and a visa that allows you to work. Perhaps the limitation might be the training colleges expecting you to have PR first, but I would expect that if you are planning on entering a training pathway that is 4-8 years in duration PR seems logical to have prior. Additionally, the colleges that are expecting the PRs are going to be more competitive and will require PHO years prior, which will give you plenty of time to get your PR prior to applying.

What I said is really based on what I've read, not my own experience, so thank you for correcting anything that's wrong!

What I meant by the disadvantage as an international graduate was really more about internship. It seems to be very state-dependent, but generally speaking international graduates are lower on the priority list than domestic graduates and so are going to have a harder time staying in an urban area in those initial years after graduating.

 

[sean80439]

What I said is really based on what I've read, not my own experience, so thank you for correcting anything that's wrong!

What I meant by the disadvantage as an international graduate was really more about internship. It seems to be very state-dependent, but generally speaking international graduates are lower on the priority list than domestic graduates and so are going to have a harder time staying in an urban area in those initial years after graduating.

It will only be the first 'intern' year that you will have difficulty. After that, you can work anywhere.

 

[Damson]

@sean80439 have you decided to take the route of shortening moratorium by going rural? if so is it worth it?

im assuming that the medicare provider number is only relevant if we decide to go private practice. so it won't matter if we work for a hospital?

 

[sean80439]

@sean80439 have you decided to take the route of shortening moratorium by going rural? if so is it worth it?

im assuming that the medicare provider number is only relevant if we decide to go private practice. so it won't matter if we work for a hospital?

No, I work in a major metro area. It only matters if you want to bill privately. If you work for the public hospitals it doesn't matter.