Find out everything you need to know about moving 'Down Under' in our 2025 IMG Guide

The first step in the process is to get in touch with us. As specialists in New Zealand and Australia medical recruitment, we’ll be able to give you advice tailored to your specific situation so that we can work with you to map out what the process is going to look like for you to give you the best chance of success in your international medical graduate job hunt. We have a team of international recruitment experts to help navigate your pathway, visa options, visa applications, and more for IMGs looking to relocate. Click on the button below and we’ll be in touch to arrange a convenient time to speak with you.

All the members of our the International team have made the move to this side of the world ourselves, we understand how much is involved in the international move so we are committed to being there for you every step of the way as your international medical recruitment experts. Once we have helped you determine eligibility for medical registration, we will assist you on a tailored job hunt to find the right role for you. Once the role is secured, we take care of the full medical registration application, liaising with the issuing authority on your behalf. We organise a complimentary Immigration Consultation for you so that you have all of the information you require to determine which is going to be the best visa for you and your family. After this, we assist you in completing all of the hospital’s new employee paperwork to ensure you are able to start work on time.

If you’re a junior doctor, we like to allow a minimum of 3 months from signing a contract until starting work. While it can be achieved in less time than this, we like to allow a little extra time in case of any delays in processing both your medical registration or your visa. If you’re a senior doctor then the time taken for the process depends on which registration pathway you are eligible for. It’s best to be prepared for between 6 – 12 months to complete everything and arrive in the country to start work.

AHPRA (Australia) and MCNZ (New Zealand) are the national organisations responsible for doctor registration and accreditation. Australasian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Registration (or AHPRA) is what you require to legally practise medicine in Australia. To practise medicine in New Zealand you must have Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) Registration.

The Competent Authority Pathway is a pathway in which you can gain AHPRA registration (Australia), or MCNZ registration (New Zealand). To be eligible for this pathway, you must have completed your primary medical school degree in the UK or Ireland. You are also eligible if you have passed the medical licensing exams in the UK, Canada, USA or NZ and have completed internship equivalent in one of these countries.

The Standard Pathway is for those applying for registration in Australia who don’t meet the Competent Authority Pathway criteria. To be eligible you will have completed a medical degree listed in the WHO directory. You will need to successfully complete the AMC examinations which involve an MCQ and clinical examinations. Then you can apply for provisional registration. You must secure an internship-level role for the first 12 months.

This pathway provides a route to MCNZ registration in New Zealand for doctors who:

• Have a medical degree from a country listed in the WHO directory
• Have worked for 33 months (for at least 30 hours per week) in the 48 months prior to your application within a comparable health system. And in the same area of medicine and same level offered in New Zealand.
• Hold full (or general) registration in the comparable health system in which you meet the above active clinical practice requirements.

There are roles available right across New Zealand. Many (though certainly not all) locum roles are in rural locations and lots of doctors we work with love using this as an opportunity to explore new places. Where the work is also depends on the type of work you’d like to do and what your specialty and experience is. You can search for current roles on our job search page.

The Specialist Pathway is a route to registration in Australia. It involves an assessment by the relevant specialist college of your qualifications and experience to see how it compares to that of an Australian trained specialist. The outcome of the assessment will determine your comparability, and what if any further requirements you need to gain full specialist registration.

As a doctor who has trained overseas you must hold Vocational Registration to work as a specialist in New Zealand. This involves full assessment of your overseas qualifications, training and experience to see how it compares. The outcome of the assessment will determine the steps you need to take to be eligible for Vocational Registration.

We cannot assess your eligibility for registration. This is up to the relevant national organisation of the country you’d like to work in.

Medrecruit can help find international doctors a suitable role. Our team can also provide some guidance and advice around moving to Australia and New Zealand.

The NZREX Clinical Examination provides another pathway to MCNZ registration in New Zealand. You are eligible if you have a degree from a country listed in the WHO directory. You will be required to complete the NZ Registration examinations. Once these are successfully completed you will be eligible for provisional registration. Then you are required to secure an internship level role for the first 12 months.