Living & working in Australia

To be eligible to work in Australia a medical professional must: 

• Hold a Bachelor qualification in a relevant area of study
• Have at least one year of post-graduate experience
• Hold registration and/or membership with the appropriate regulatory body. The main regulatory authority for most health professionals in Australia is the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Authority (AHPRA). Full registration or in principle approval for registration is required.
• Have a current work visa or be eligible for a visa with the Department of Home Affairs

Your Medacs consultant will be able to guide you through the necessary steps required to relocate and commence work.

Understandably the process and paperwork can look rather daunting at first, but Medacs Healthcare have a dedicated Compliance and Administration team in Australia and the UK to assist you.

Our team of specialised recruitment consultants can advise you on the best opportunities, hospitals and locations to enable a smooth pathway to achieve your dream of living and working in Australia. Many of the team have made the move themselves and will appreciate any questions you may have. Please contact us with any queries.

The Australian Federal Government, through the Department of Home Affairs provides information relating to Immigration and Citizenship - https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/

There are several visa options depending your situation, experience, qualifications, and how long you are looking to stay in Australia. The following are the most common visas to allow overseas professionals to work in Australian hospitals or medical organisations. It is important to check your eligibility requirements to see what options are best.

• Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) – For young adults who want an extended holiday and to work here to fund it. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417
• Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) –This visa is for invited workers and New Zealand citizens with skills we need, to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189
• Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482) – This temporary visa lets an employer sponsor a suitably skilled worker to fill a position they can’t find a suitably skilled Australian to fill. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-skill-shortage-482

Australian tax is complex and, at first glance may seem high. It should be pointed out there are significant deductions available for most professionals, so taxation rates should be viewed with this in mind. A good accountant is essential around tax time. The end of tax year is 30 June.

For further advice, please refer to the Australian Taxation Office.

Are you an Australian resident for tax purposes or a working holiday maker?

Generally, you are considered to be an Australian resident for tax purposes if you:

• have always lived in Australia or you have come to Australia and now live here permanently
• are an overseas student doing a course that takes more than six months to complete
• migrate to Australia and intend to reside here permanently.

If you go overseas temporarily and don’t set up a permanent home in another country, you may continue to be treated as an Australian resident for tax purposes.

If you are in Australia on a working holiday visa (subclass 417) or a work and holiday visa (subclass 462) you need to declare that you are a working holiday maker when completing Tax File Declaration Forms for your employer. Special rates of tax apply for working holiday makers.

For updates and information on travel in Australia please visit the government websites:

smartraveller.gov.au