Working as an IMG in New Zealand or Australia
Thinking of making the move? Here's everything you need to know
Medrecruit is a leading international doctor recruitment agency, our dedicated team prides itself on helping foreign doctors find work in New Zealand and Australia.
With great working conditions and healthcare systems, more overseas-trained doctors are looking to make the move to live and work in Australia and New Zealand. Sought-after roles are available for IMGs with the right credentials. We've created this page for doctors interested in making the move, if you want more information, get in touch with us and we will show you all the possibilities available.
That elusive, beautiful unicorn of a concept called ‘Work-Life Balance’? Turns out it exists after all.
Free International Doctor Guide
Discover everything you need to know about moving to Australia or New Zealand in this IMG Guide: pathways to registration, specialities in demand and more.
This GPs new life in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Working as a doctor in Australia
Enjoy the sun or the city, there is much for foreign doctors to love in Australia. Our specialist team will guide you to various permanent job opportunities across Australia. It's important to note that international doctors have more restrictions in Australia than in New Zealand. It can take some time to get the post you want, and up to a year to get settled, that's why it is important to work with a skilled IMG recruitment agency - we’ll help navigate the different requirements, and sort through the paperwork.
Working as a doctor in New Zealand
Renowned for its working conditions and health care system, international doctors get the best of all worlds in New Zealand. Find a permanent job set against a backdrop of beaches, mountains, forests, and cities. Our specialist International Team will give insights into all aspects of work, day-to-day living, and relocating. We can help with the paperwork and our immigration advisor can assist with visas. For foreign doctors looking to work in New Zealand, the process can take six months to a year.
Speciality in demand: general practice
GPs are in high demand in New Zealand. This means rates are competitive, and contracts are flexible. Make work suit your new lifestyle.
We have multiple general practitioner opportunities across New Zealand, including Hawke's Bay, one of the North Island's most desirable beachside locations.
A doctor's perspective
Know your opportunity.
Top permanent roles are available for experienced IMG doctors in New Zealand and Australia. To practice medicine, you must be registered with the governing body of the country you choose to work in. Gaining registration is often easiest for specialists (including GPs) and overseas doctors who have completed their primary degrees in the UK or Ireland. Reach out if you have any questions about your qualifications.
Can I work as a doctor in Australia or New Zealand?
How Medrecruit helps
Medrecruit is one of the leading international doctor recruitment agencies. We have a team dedicated to assisting International Medical Graduates (IMGs). In order to practice in either Australia or New Zealand, you must be registered with either AHPRA (Australia) or MCNZ (New Zealand). For doctors who graduated overseas, this is achievable via a number of pathways (or routes), your eligibility for which is determined by your clinical background.
Once we have helped you determine your eligibility for registration, we will help you with your job search and work to make your move Down Under easy with our vast employment networks and insider tips.
General FAQs
Absolutely, we work with lots of doctors who make the move with their partners or families. Partners are generally able to get a work visa of their own and kids can be granted student visas to attend school. Both Australia and New Zealand are great locations for families and the quality of life on offer is fantastic.
The first step in the process is to get in touch with us. 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 job hunt. Click on the above link to ‘Talk to Us’ and we’ll be in touch to arrange a convenient time to speak with you.
All of us in 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. 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.
International doctors can work in Australia, however, they must obtain recognition for their qualifications and register with the Medical Board of Australia. The process often involves assessment by the Australian Medical Council and possibly further training or examinations. The demand for medical professionals in rural and remote areas can offer additional opportunities. Always refer to the latest official guidelines for specifics.
Yes, foreign doctors can practise in New Zealand. However, they must secure registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand. International medical graduates may undergo assessments to ensure their qualifications match NZ standards. Some countries have reciprocal agreements, simplifying this process. To find out more medical pathways for IMG doctors register with us and one of our team can have a chat about our free support services to assist IMGs and what pathway is right for you.
In New Zealand, GPs (General Practitioners), psychiatrists, anaesthetists, and surgeons are notably in demand. Rural areas particularly face doctor shortages. The demand can vary; register for our free service for doctors to talk to one of our expert team who can inform you about current demand for your speciality.
We find that the larger cities have less need for International doctors because they have lots of local doctors wanting to work there. More often international doctors secure roles at some of the more regional locations. While these might not be the biggest or most well-known cities, it doesn’t mean they are tiny rural locations! Australia and New Zealand have lots of vibrant, charming regional cities where you can have access to all the big city amenities you need for you and your family to feel comfortable. A lot of our candidates have been pleasantly surprised to discover regions they hadn’t initially considered but have gone on to adore the lifestyle and the authentic Australian or New Zealand experience of living there.
Yes, doctors are in demand in Australia, particularly in rural and regional areas. General practitioners, emergency medicine specialists, psychiatrists, and anaesthetists are among the most sought-after specialities. The nation's ageing population and healthcare needs further amplify this demand.
The costs will depend on whether you’re heading to Australia or New Zealand and whether you are a junior or senior doctor. For junior doctors, going to New Zealand, the entire process costs up to around $2500. For Australia, it could be up to $3800. For senior doctors, there are substantial upfront costs for medical registration but the hospitals reimburse these once you start work. The application for specialist recognition can cost upwards of $10,000.
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.
Eligibility FAQs
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Foreign doctors aiming to work in New Zealand must pass the New Zealand Registration Examination (NZREX Clinical). It assesses clinical competence ensuring overseas doctors meet NZ standards. Before sitting for NZREX, doctors need eligibility from the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ). Always refer to MCNZ for updates.