Read More About Working as a GP in Australia
Australia is an extremely popular destination for GPs looking to relocate, and it’s easy to see why. With a high quality of life, excellent healthcare and education systems, a stable economy, and a strong demand for doctors, Australia offers both professional opportunity and lifestyle appeal.
Add to this a warm climate, clean and safe cities, and an outdoor-focused way of life, and Australia continues to attract GPs from around the world.
About Australia
Australia is both a country and a continent, and one of the world’s oldest land masses. It is the largest inhabited islandand the sixth-largest country in the world by total area.
Distances are vast and often surprise newcomers. Australia stretches approximately:
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4,000 km east to west
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3,700 km north to south
A flight from Sydney to Perth alone takes around five hours. In total land area, Australia is similar in size to the United States (excluding Alaska), more than double the size of India, and around 32 times larger than the UK.
Australian People & Culture
Australia is a country of contrasts. While much of the interior is remote and sparsely populated (often referred to as the Outback), the majority of Australians live in coastal cities and regional centres.
Indigenous Australians have lived on the continent for over 50,000 years, with more than 500 distinct nations, languages and cultures prior to European settlement. British colonisation began in 1788, and today Australia has a highly multicultural population, with around one in four residents born overseas.
This diversity is reflected in Australian cities, workplaces, and communities, making it an easy place for overseas GPs to settle.
Climate in Australia
Due to its size, Australia has multiple climate zones:
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Northern regions: tropical climate with hot, humid summers and warm, dry winters
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Southern regions: temperate climate with hot summers and cooler, sometimes wet winters
Australia is one of the driest continents on earth, with an average annual rainfall of less than 600 mm.
As Australia is in the southern hemisphere, seasons are opposite to Europe and the UK:
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Summer: December – February
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Autumn: March – May
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Winter: June – August
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Spring: September – November
GP Salary and Working Hours in Australia
GPs in Australia can work full-time or part-time, with many choosing a 4-day working week. GPs can work a flexible number of sessions per week but most work around 4-5 days, averaging around 30-40 hours per week.
Rather than a fixed salary, GPs are typically paid a percentage of billings, usually 60–70%. Your income depends on:
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Number of patients seen
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Complexity of consultations
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Hours worked
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Additional services provided
Once established, a full-time GP can reasonably expect to earn $350,000–$400,000+ AUD per year, with higher earnings possible depending on workload and services offered.
Tax Rates in Australia
For the 2025–2026 tax year, Australian resident tax rates are:
| Taxable Income | Tax Payable |
|---|---|
| $0 – $18,200 | Nil |
| $18,201 – $45,000 | 16c per $1 over $18,200 |
| $45,001 – $135,000 | $4,288 + 30c per $1 over $45,000 |
| $135,001 – $190,000 | $31,288 + 37c per $1 over $135,000 |
| $190,001+ | $51,638 + 45c per $1 over $190,000 |
There is also a Medicare Levy of 2% of taxable income. For more information including a tax calculator see the Australian Taxation Office
Read our Tax blog for more detailed information on GP Tax
DPA Areas for GPs Moving to Australia
All overseas-trained GPs are required to work in a Distribution Priority Area (DPA) in order to access Medicare billing.
DPA locations are areas identified as having below-average access to GPs, based on population and Medicare data. Overseas-trained GPs are required to work in DPA locations for up to 10 years from their first registration date.
In practice, this usually means:
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Suburbs of major cities
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Regional towns and smaller cities
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Coastal and lifestyle locations
It does not mean you must work in a remote or isolated area.
GP Registration and Paperwork
You should allow approximately 6-9 months to complete registration and immigration. Ideally, we recommend contacting us 12 months before your intended start date.
GP specialist registration in Australia is typically via the Expedited Specialist Pathway through AHPRA.
We guide you through:
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Registration
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College requirements
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Practice matching
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Relocation support
Please get in touch for more information on your specific qualifications and experience. We are on hand throughout the process to guide you through the various steps.
The Australian Healthcare System
Australia operates a mixed public–private healthcare system. The public system is funded through Medicare, which provides:
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Free public hospital treatment
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Subsidised GP and specialist consultations
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Reduced-cost medicines via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Healthcare policy is set federally, with services delivered by state and territory governments. Closing the health gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples remains a national priority.
Medicare Eligibility
Citizens of countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements — including the UK, Ireland and New Zealand — are eligible for a Medicare card while on a temporary visa.
To practise, GPs must obtain a Medicare Provider and Prescriber Number after arrival. This process can take up to 12 weeks, and patient consultations cannot begin until approval is granted.
Cost of Living in Australia
Living costs vary by location and lifestyle. Some expenses may be higher than at home, while others are lower. On a GP income, most doctors enjoy a very comfortable standard of living. Find out here what your costs of living is like as a GP in Australia.
For an indication of up to date cost please see the cost of living calculations here
Schools and Education
Education is compulsory from ages 6 to 16 and follows a 13-year structure:
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Primary school – Runs for seven or eight years, starting at Kindergarten/Prep through to Year 6 or 7
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Secondary school – Runs for three or four years, from Years 7 to 10 or 8 to 10.
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Senior secondary (Years 11–12) – Runs for two years, Years 11 and 12.
Australia offers a wide choice of public, private, and independent schools.
Please see – Australia School Directory and Private School Directory
Housing in Australia
Housing options range from city apartments to large suburban homes with outdoor space. We recommend starting with temporary accommodation (such as Airbnb) while you view properties in person.
Most Real Estate agents will not allow you to rent properties until you have arrive in Australia and can view homes directly. Two of the most popular websites are
Further Reading
Useful Links
Registration and Immigration
AMC
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
Medicare
Immigration Australia
