How to Get a Doctor Job in Australia as an IMGs

Foreign-trained doctors can work in Australia if they meet specific registration and eligibility requirements.

This article introduces the essential preparation steps and explains how IMGs typically find job opportunities in Australia.

Preparations Required Before Job Hunting

Before looking for positions, IMGs must complete several key steps.

Proof of English proficiency
AMC exams or recognition as a specialist
Preparing an English-language CV (resume)

Proving English proficiency is your first major requirement. Australia accepts several tests, but all of them have high cut-off scores. Even candidates with strong English backgrounds may need several attempts.

If you are not recognised as a specialist in your home country, you must pass the Australian Medical Council (AMC) exams, which serve as the licensing pathway for IMGs.

A well-prepared English CV is also essential when applying for jobs.

For the full overview of the AHPRA medical registration process, refer to the following guide:
Ref: https://oet-bank.com/steps-for-imgs-to-register-as-doctors-in-australia/

How to Find Job Opportunities in Australia

Here are the three most common approaches IMGs use when searching for positions:

Fellowship programs
Medical-specific job portals
Using MPH programs or research positions as an entry route

Your timeline and difficulty level will vary depending on your specialty, experience, and competitiveness.
Among the IMGs I have supported, some secure positions within one month, while others take six to ten months.

Job hunting success depends not only on competence but also on timing, compatibility, and luck — factors that you cannot fully control.

Still, those who persist eventually find a match, so don’t be discouraged.

Let’s break down each method.

1: Fellowship Programs

The most traditional route is to apply for fellowship programs in your specialty.

These programs are typically open to doctors who already hold specialist qualifications.
Most are listed on the websites of relevant Colleges or Associations.

For example, if you are an orthopedic surgeon, searching “Australian Orthopaedic Association Fellowship” will display numerous opportunities.

Many fellowship programs actively recruit IMGs and tend to offer higher acceptance rates than general job postings—provided you meet their requirements.

For IMGs who already hold specialist certification, this should be your first option.

Since Australia and New Zealand share a unified specialist college system, many openings include positions across both countries.

If fellowship listings aren’t posted, contact the College directly. Some will share internal lists of hospitals recruiting IMG fellows.

2: Medical-Specific Job Websites

Australia has dedicated job portals that advertise clinical roles across states, including:

Referene 1: eRecruit (NSW)
Reference 2: Queensland Health Jobs (QLD)
Reference 3: Monash Health (VIC)
Reference 4: MedJobsWA (WA)

These sites include positions from internship level through registrar roles.
Therefore, both AMC-route IMGs and specialists can apply.

However, many of these postings assume the applicant already holds Australian registration and residency.
From the hospital’s perspective, hiring IMGs requires additional administrative workload, so competition can be tough.

Realistically, consider it a success if 1 out of 10 applications receives a response.

To compete, three factors matter the most:

Demonstrated clinical competence
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
High English proficiency

Large platforms like SEEK and Indeed occasionally list medical roles as well.

Even if the post isn’t directly related to your specialty, some hospitals may still consider your application—so apply proactively.

3: Using MPH or Research Programs as a Pathway

A third option is to enroll in an MPH (Master of Public Health) or join a research program in Australia.

This can work regardless of whether you hold specialist certification.

Preparing for AHPRA registration, English exams, and AMC exams while working full-time in your home country is extremely demanding.

For some IMGs, relocating first and preparing from within Australia is a more realistic pathway.

While enrolled at a university or research institution, you can:

Improve your English
Study for the AMC
Build networks with faculty and local clinicians
Learn the Australian healthcare environment

Most postgraduate programs require an IELTS overall 6.5, which is much more achievable than the standard required for clinical practice.

The main downside is cost — tuition and living expenses must be covered from personal savings.

Final Thoughts

These are the major pathways IMGs can use to find job opportunities in Australia.

In the past, cold emails or in-person hospital visits were sometimes effective, but as of 2026, most hospital recruitment has become centralized and standardized.

This benefits IMGs, as you can continue working in your home country while applying — reducing financial and career risk.

If you are unsure about relocating, consider arranging a hospital observership first. Many large hospitals that frequently host IMGs offer well-structured observership programs.

If you want a short-term clinical experience, obtaining specialist certification first and applying for a fellowship program is a practical option.

On the other hand, obtaining full Australian registration through the AMC pathway typically takes 3–5 years.

If you’re preparing for OET, consider exploring our practice resources at OET Bank.
We’re designed not just as mock tests, but as powerful review tools that make it easier to analyze weaknesses and focus on what’s needed to pass.

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Registration & Pathways