Helping a UK GP Move to Australia Through the ESP Pathway
Every GP relocation journey has its own story, but some stand out because of the sheer determination, chaos, progress, and humour along the way. One of my recent placements — a UK-trained GP who made the move to Australia with her pets in tow — is one I’ll never forget.
I knew this wasn’t going to be a simple AHPRA application between the newly launched AHPRA Expedited Specialist Pathway (ESP), new primary verification portals and a very important set of furry family members to relocate, this was always going to be a journey.
But that’s exactly where we come in, to make sure no one has to navigate it alone.
AHPRA ESP: The Pathway
When my GP first started her application, AHPRA had only recently rolled out the ESP pathway. On paper, it was designed to streamline the registration process and in many ways, it does. But those early months? We had to sit tight and trust the process.
But we guided her through each step, checking requirements, contacting departments, escalating delays, and keeping the process moving while she balanced work, life, and preparing for an international move.
And in her words:
“There were so many technical bits and pieces throughout the process… I couldn’t have done it on my own. Thank you to Emma and Kirsty who are a WhatsApp message or phone call away, pushing through the process as smoothly as possible.”
Keeping Communication
One of the things I value most in this job is the relationship we build with the doctors we support. Relocating across the world is never just a paperwork exercise, it’s emotional, stressful, exciting, and overwhelming all at once.
There were moments during her registration where we’d exchange messages late at night, trying to solve the latest “platform malfunction” before it could cause delays. Somehow we always ended up laughing, even through the panic.
As she put it:
“Emma and Kirsty are a Godsend! I would have pulled all my hair out with how confusing and frustrating finding and arranging a job in Australia is… and thanks to them I have not developed any bald spots.”
We’ll take that as a win.
And Then There Were the Pets
Many doctors relocate with partners and children — but moving with pets adds an entirely new layer.
Quarantine timelines, vaccination schedules, transport logistics, crate specifications, customs requirements — it’s a lot. And because pets are family, the emotional stakes feel much higher.
Landing the Job and Making the Move
Once AHPRA registration was approved, everything became real very quickly. Flights booked. Accommodation organised. Pets cleared. Bags packed.
There’s always a surreal moment when a doctor messages to say they’ve landed — months of planning, stress, and paperwork suddenly turning into an actual life on the other side of the world. And for her, that life began in a supportive practice, sunny weather, and the kind of lifestyle that makes the entire journey worthwhile.
She summed it up perfectly:
“Oddly, I will miss the panicked (trying not to melt down on my part) emergency messages and calls to the team whenever another hiccup comes up. I dare say they won’t 🤣.”
Why We Do What We Do
Helping UK GPs transition to Australia or New Zealand through pathways like the ESP isn’t just about forms, certifications, and immigration rules. It’s about guiding real people — with families, careers, pets, hopes, and fears through one of the biggest decisions of their lives.
If you’re a UK GP thinking about making the move, or a clinic looking to bring in overseas-trained doctors, the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming, not when you have the right support.
And if this GP’s story proves anything, it’s that even with website crashes, shifting processes, unexpected hurdles and pets with very expensive travel plans… the move is absolutely possible.
And worth it.
