Author: emma

School Fees Australia for Temporary Residents

Posted on by emma

Australia School System

As a GP relocating to Australia, you want to make sure you find not only the right job, but the right location for your family. For those relocating with children, schooling is an important factor and making sure your family settle is key.

The great news is, the standard of education in Australia is world class. The Human Development Index (HDI) ranked Australia 5th  out of 174 countries in the world. This is calculated using the high GDP, literacy and education and quality of life.

It’s useful to know the options for education and the costs you may incur on a temporary (482) work visa. In this blog, we have outlined the costs involved.

Schooling in Australia

You will have the choice to send your children to public, state funded schools, faith schools and private education. This is very similar to our system in the UK. Education is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 16.

Private Education in Australia

If you wish to send your child to a private school in Australia, then you should begin this process early on in the relocation process and contact schools. All private schools will charge a fee for your child to attend and this fee is governed by the individual school. It is likely you will be a registration fee prior to your move.

Independent schools are non-profit and will cater to a variety of students with unique values. There are approximately 1200 private schools in Australia out of almost 10,000 schools.

Private School Guide

State Education in Australia

To gain admission to your desired state school, similar to the UK, you must generally live within the geographic boundary of the school district. Each State and Territory has different regulations and its own Department of Education.

Although state education in Australia is essentially free, some schools may add a voluntary contribution. In addition, you may need to pay for school uniform, books and stationery items.

Some states also charge an annual fee for children attending school whilst on a temporary work visa (Subclass 482) The majority of our GPs will start their work life on this employer sponsored visa.

School fees for dependent subclass 482 visa holders Applicants for a TSS visa may include dependent family members in their application. The schooling fees vary depending on the state or territory the subclass 482 visa holders reside in.

New South Wales (NSW) – Between $5600 – $6400 per child

Victoria – No applicable fees

Queensland – No applicable fees

Western Australia – $4000 per annum regardless of number of children enrolled

South Australia (greater Adelaide only)  – Between $5900 and $7000

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – No applicable Fees

Northern Territory (NT) – No applicable fees

Tasmania – No applicable fees

Once you move to a permanent work visa then these fees for state schools no longer apply. Please get in touch with us if you would like a full breakdown of the applicable costs and exemptions for each state.

Further Reading

Day in the life of a GP in Australia

GP Salary in Australia

Tax System for GPs in Australia

 

 

 

 

 

A Day in the Life of a GP in Australia

Posted on by emma

In this blog, we will take you on a journey through a typical day in the life of a GP, Emma, who recently moved as a GP to Australia.

What made you decide to move to Australia as a GP?

I worked in hospital jobs there over 20 years ago and met my Australian husband so it was always on the cards to go back at some point but was never the right time due to family and other commitments. Recently we decided that the time would be right in terms of the children’s ages and the poor state of General Practice in the UK. 

Tell us about a typical day in your GP role as a GP in Australia.

I have quite a long commute (50 minutes) so leave the house at 7 am. It is a straight drive though with no jams. I start my morning clinic at 8 am and consult at 20-minute appointments until around 12. I have an hour lunch break then another clinic in the afternoon with the last patient booked at 4.20. There are no home visits. I see 21 patients in a whole day and probably spend <30 minutes doing admin. There is no on-call system and occasionally there are 1 or 2 extras. I usually leave by 5 pm and am home before 6. On a Friday the practice closes early so I am finished before 4.

The best bit about your day?

Not running late! Because the appointments are longer there is more time to spend with patients and even if they go over time you will then get paid extra. The whole experience is much less hurried and therefore you have time to chat with patients and get to know them better. There is often extra time to catch up or do admin between appointments as some people only come for quick things eg prescriptions.

The most challenging part of your day?

I still do not fully understand the Medicare system and who pays for what and when. It is very complicated and adds another dimension to the consultation knowing that people have to pay for medicines and some investigations and treatment.

How do you find the culture and lifestyle compared to the UK?

There is more of an outdoor lifestyle due to the weather which is almost always warm and sunny here in Queensland. There are lots of nice places to visit although there is more driving involved as everything is more spread out. The people are friendly and welcoming. Our children are finding the school experience more relaxed and less exam focussed than in the UK and for us, the work/life balance is better.

How have you settled in and would you have any tips for other GPs relocating?

We have settled in well but already having my husband’s family here has helped. Waiting for provider numbers before starting work is frustrating but also gives time to adjust. I would advise trying to save as much as possible before moving as almost everything is more expensive than in the UK and the initial costs are large, although you will make it back eventually with higher earnings.
Stay patient with the initial paperwork stage. It can seem overwhelming, especially when problems crop up, but it does come right in the end.

How have you found the transition from general practice in the UK to Australia?

The patients come in with all the same sorts of things so in that respect it is very similar, although here in Queensland there is a lot more skin cancer! The systems are very different though. It is much easier to get investigations in a timely manner.  Prescribing is more complicated than in the UK. There is a lot more use of the private sector in secondary care and it can be hard to know who and where to refer to. On the whole, patients seem more responsible for their own health and accept that they have to pay for certain things. GPs seem to do more chronic disease management (rather than nurses) and there is more scope to do procedural work eg minor surgery which attracts a higher fee. Workload seems to be quite flexible in that you can choose to do more or less but that will reflect in your earnings.

Finally, how have you found Transition Medical in helping you make the move?

Emma and Kirsty have been fantastic and we wouldn’t have got here without them. The process is very daunting and complicated but they take you through it step by step and are always on hand to ask questions or talk it through. If you are thinking about making the move, I would definitely recommend giving them a call. 

If this has sparked your interest and you would like to chat through your options,  get in touch with our friendly team who will be happy to help.

Further Reading

What is life like for GPs in New Zealand?

Posted on by emma

What is it like to work as a GP in New Zealand

Before you start your New Zealand GP Job search, you may want to find out more about day to day life in New Zealand.

There are just 5.3 million New Zealanders, scattered across 270,534 sq km: bigger than the UK with one-fourteenth the population. New Zealand is the land of extremes with sublime forests, mountains, lakes, beaches and glaziers. It is relatively easy to travel around with distances between different towns and cities not being too great. Transport networks are well developed with airports throughout the country and well maintained highways.

It is made up of two main islands and numerous smaller ones: the North Island (known as Te Ika-a-Maui in Maori) is the more populous of the two, and is separated by the Cook Strait from the somewhat larger but much less populated South Island (or Te Waipounamu).

New Zealand is consistently rated as a country with one of the highest qualities of life in the world. It offers a safe environment for the whole family offering a great outdoor lifestyle.  New Zealand is an increasing multicultural society that appeals due to its diversity, laid back way of life and temperate climate.

New Zealand People

This former British colony has a population mainly of European descent but with an important indigenous Māori minority of mixed blood, a rapidly growing Asian minority, and smaller minorities of Polynesians, people from the Americas, South Africans and African.

The people of New Zealand are famed for their relaxed and friendly approach. More than one million New Zealanders were born overseas.

New Zealand Climate

New Zealand has mild temperatures, moderate rainfall and many hours of sunshine. While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can get as cold as -10°C in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast with milder temperatures.

The average New Zealand temperature decreases as you travel south.  With their summer over January and February, these are the warmest months, and July is the coldest month of the year. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30ºC (70-90°F) and in winter between 10-15ºC (50-60°F).

Most places in New Zealand receive over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year, with the sunniest areas – Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay and Nelson/Marlborough – receiving over 2,350 hours. As New Zealand observes daylight saving, during summer months daylight can last up until 9.30pm.

Cost of Living as a GP in New Zealand

Cost of living in New Zealand will very much depend on which part of the country you relocate. We took a trip to New Zealand in April 2024 and found the day to day expenses to be fairly similar to that in the UK. Eating out and travelling around were fairly similar to the UK. Filling a tank of fuel was much cheaper however buying household groceries is more expensive.  Overall the cost of living in New Zealand is, on average, 8.0% lower than in United Kingdom.

Chatting to GPs we placed in New Zealand said they found the weekly grocery shop was almost double however by eating food in season and having access to fresh food local farmers markets really helped.

One independent international survey ranked Auckland 58th in the world in terms of its cost of living, and Wellington 75th, far better than other major cities. Such cities included Hong Kong (3), Singapore (4), New York (16), London (25), Sydney (26), Melbourne (33) and Guangzhou (31) – showing that comparatively, New Zealand’s major metropolitan areas are more affordable. See our recent blog piece on cost of living for a GP in New Zealand

For an up to date costs of different items please see here 

New Zealand GP Registration Process

The registration process for New Zealand is relatively straightforward and usually takes a month to complete the application with the Medical Council of New Zealand.  To complete the full immigration and registration process you should allow 3 months after we have secured you a position. You will be eligible for registration if you hold a specialist GP certificate (i.e. MRCGP / MICGP / JCPTGP / PMETB).

If you hold your GP qualification from another country then you may be eligible for ‘comparable healthcare.’ registration.  You will be required to hold 3 years of comparable healthcare experience. Please see the MCNZ website for a full list of comparable countries.

All new registrants, regardless of seniority, must work under supervision for the first 6-12 months in New Zealand to become familiar with the culture.  During this time you will be registered within a provisional general scope of practice and performance will be assessed by senior colleagues.

You will be required to complete certain requirements to be registered within a general scope. This will cause minimal impact on your day to day job and you will still be able to see patients independently.

NZ Visa for GPs 

To assist you through the complex immigration process we work with a Licensed Immigration Advisor who is registered with the Immigration Advisers Authority New Zealand. Our Immigration Advisor, Nicola, will expertly assist you and manage your visa process for you and your family. There are options for either a temporary work visa or a Straight to Residence visa which can be applied for from your home country.

What does a GP earn in New Zealand?

Most doctors work between 6 – 8 sessions per week. Your working hours will dependant on the practice requirements and the type of visa you hold. The temporary work visa (Accredited Employer work visa) requires a minimum of 30 hours per week however if you apply for the Straight to Residence visa, there are no restrictions on your working hours.

Unlike Australia, there are no restrictions on where you can practise as a GP in New Zealand allowing you the option to choose where to live and work; be it in the city centre, by the beach or somewhere more rural.

As a GP moving to New Zealand you will be offered an employed, salary position ($220k – $250k NZD for a full time position). You may perhaps have the option to buy into the practice or take over the practice at a later date.  Work / life balance is excellent in New Zealand, most GPs only see 4 patients per hour allowing more time with patients and less bureaucracy and paperwork.

NZ Tax Rate 

April 2025

10.5%              $0 to $15,600

17.5%              $15,601 to $53,500

30%                 $53,501 to $78,100

33%                 $78,101 to $180,000

39%                 $180,000 and above

For more detailed up to date tax information please see the tax office website

Income tax calculator

New Zealand Schools and Education

There’s a choice of three types of school in New Zealand – state schools (funded by the government), ‘state integrated’ schools and private schools.

State schools are the choice for the vast majority of New Zealand children (85%). Schooling is free at these schools, although parents are asked for a contribution to help cover costs of activities that are outside of the core curriculum. Typically this will be around NZ$350- $600. There will also be other charges for sports, school trips, special tuition, exam fees, and other course related costs.

‘State integrated’ schools are schools with a special character – they may be run by a particular religious faith e.g. Catholic or use specialist education methods like Steiner or Montessori. Just over 10% of students are enrolled at these schools. Education in state integrated schools is also funded by the government but the schools may charge fees for various facilities which are usually around NZ$2,500 a year. Just under 5% of children go to private schools which charge around NZ$30,000 – $55,000 in fees a year.

School usually starts at 9am and runs to 3pm or 3:30pm. There are four school terms running from late January to mid-December with two-week breaks between them and a six-week summer break at the end of the year.

New Zealand Accommodation

Most GPs choose to rent a property in New Zealand first and buy later when settled. Housing varies greatly across the country.  Prices tend to be higher in the cities with Auckland being the most expensive and slightly lower on the south island.  For more information on property please see Realestate.co.nz and TradeMe

New Zealand Healthcare System

Primary healthcare, including general practice, out-patient services, and prescriptions, is funded by a combination of public subsidy and private contributions. General Practitioners provide primary, community based, comprehensive and continuing patient-centred care to individuals, families and the community. Many general practices run as private businesses and set their own fees which are paid by the patient.

The cost of a visit will be lower if you’re enrolled with the GP, because the government subsidises the fee. Some general practices join a ‘low cost access’ programme run by their primary health organisation (PHO) which is overseen by the local District Health Board. This means they get extra government funding to keep their fees at low levels.  GPs, Practice Nurses, Māori health providers and other primary healthcare providers work together to meet the health requirements of the local people, with PHOs funded according to the demographics and needs of their population.

Secondary healthcare services, including acute hospital treatment, are free to those who meet the eligibility criteria. New Zealand has a reciprocal agreement with the UK to provide free treatment. There is strong uptake of private health insurance (as in Australia), partially triggered by long waits for state hospital treatment.

Speak to Our GP Recruitment Team

Thinking about relocating to New Zealand? Our experienced GP team are here to help. We can advise on everything from visa queries to questions about the cost of living in New Zealand. Speak to us today to get started on your move down under or browse some of our excellent GP Jobs in New Zealand. 

Further Reading
8 Benefits of Moving to New Zealand
Is there an age limit for GPs
The Cost of Living as a Doctor in New Zealand

Useful Links
Medical Council of New Zealand
Immigration New Zealand 

Education

GP Salary Australia – Find out what your GP income will be

Posted on by emma

How much do GPs earn in Australia?

You may be thinking about relocating to Australia and want to know more about your GP salary in Australia. We discuss General Practitioner salaries and give you some guidance on what you can expect.

GPs in Australia generally earn a good income and can afford a comfortable lifestyle. In the majority of cases, GPs relocating from the UK earn at least the same for doing less hours per week. One of our doctors has described working in Australia

‘I have found the working conditions, flexibility, capacity for earning and, above all, lifestyle for my family and I to be far superior to my experience in the UK’

Australia GP Salary

Rather than being paid a fixed GP salary, you will earn a percentage of billings.  The income you receive will very much depend on the number of patients you see but also upon the complexity of the consultations.

Factors which will affect your GP salary

  • The percentage of billings you receive
  • The number of hours you work
  • The number of patients you see
  • How many weeks annual leave you take
  • The type of patient you are treating ie which Medicare Billing item number you use

General practices in Australia operate as private businesses, either owned by a single GP, GP Partners or larger companies.

Australia Bulk Billing

A bulk billing clinic is one where the practice bills Medicare for the full payment of the patient consultation. The patient presents a Medicare card and is not required to pay towards the consultation.

Medicare is a public health insurance scheme funded by the Australian Government, which provides all Australians, and those with eligible Medicare cards, with access to free or subsidised healthcare.

 

Private Billing GP Practice

A privately billing GP practice is one where the majority, if not all, patients are billed privately and the patient pays the fee directly to the practice. These practices are more rare as most offer some bulk billing to patients such as young children or health care card holders.

Mixed Billing

This is where the practice accepts bulk billing consultations as above but will also charge patients for consultations. Usually, patients who are under 16, over 65 and hold health cards are bulk billed and everyone else is private billed. The standard consultation fee for the practice will remain the same. The proportion of fully bulk billed patients has fallen from 66% in 2018 to just over 64% in 2022.

Operating as a private business, GPs are free to determine reasonable fees that are reflective of the services they provide. Most GP practices in Australia now offer mixed billing as standard.

GP Percentage of Billings

As a GP you will be offered somewhere in the region of 60 – 70% of the total billings you generate for the practice. The private consultation fee for the practice will remain the same however the bulk billing fee will vary dependent on the type of consultation.  A standard bulk billing consultation is currently $41.20 AUD however any additional treatment you provide above this is charged as an add on. Minor surgery, chronic disease management, dermatology and skin and health assessments will substantially increase the billings you achieve.

If you are working full time and seeing 4-6 patients per hour you can expect to earn a GP salary upwards of $250K AUD per year. The potential income is really high with some of our GPs easily earning between $300 – $400K AUD and upwards.

It can take 3-6 months to build up your patient base and become fully booked. It may be much quicker but practices offer you a minimum guarantee for the first 3 months whilst you build your patient base. This guarantee is usually $120 – $150 per hour.

GPs we’ve placed in Australia find that their GP salary is far higher than what they earn in the UK and have much more control over what they earn.

GP Tax Rate Australia

Working in Australia, you are classed as a resident for tax purposes.

The following rates for 2023 – 2024

Taxable income                      Tax on this income
0 – $18,200                                   Nil
$18,201 – $45,000                      19%
$45,001 – $120,000                    32.5%
$120,001 – $180,000                  37%
$180,001 and over                        45%

Further Reading

GP Tax System in Australia

Is there an Age Limit for GPs?

Useful websites
Medicare
Medicare Benefits Schedule
Australian Tax Office

Review of DPA Jobs for GPs

Posted on by emma

What are Distribution Priority Areas (DPA for GPs)?

The Australian Government have a classification system known as Distribution Priority Area (DPA). All overseas trained GPs are required to work in these areas to access a Medicare provider number.

When classifying an area as DPA, the Department of Health take into consideration a range of factors such as demographics of patients and the socio economic status of patients living in a GP catchment area.

The DPA system considers demographics such as age and gender of patients and socio-economic status of patients living in a GP catchment area. It also considers the Medicare billings for the area compared to the benchmark for DPA.

The DPA also applies a number of blanket rules:

  • Inner metropolitan areas are automatically deemed non-DPA
  • Modified Monash (MM) 5 – 7 are automatically deemed DPA
  • Northern Territory is automatically deemed DPA

Changes to DPA Locations

The DPA map is updated each year in July. The DPA classification can change due to the changes in the workforce, or a change in the local population. Each year, some areas can lose and gain their DPA status. Removal of a DPA area is due to the area having a positive increase in the GP services for patients.

We anticipate the GP DPA map to change from the 1st July 2023. Although there is no guarantee of DPA areas losing or gaining status, we expect there will be some changes.

Current Australia GP Jobs

All our current GP vacancies are in DPA locations. This may change in the coming weeks so if you are interested in any specific GP jobs, particularly if they are close to the main cities then please do get in touch to discuss your circumstances.

Is there an age limit for GPs in Australia?

Posted on by emma

Age Limit for GPs in Australia and New Zealand

A question we’re asked so often is ‘am I too old to work in Australia or New Zealand, or ‘what is the age limit for working as a GP in Australia or New Zealand?

The answer is, there is no age limit. We have helped GPs ranging from newly qualified doctors through to GPs who have reached retirement, not ready to stop work and fancy a working holiday in New Zealand.

GP practices in Australia and New Zealand struggle to recruit within the home countries as there is a shortage of locally qualified doctors. GPs from the UK and Ireland and other comparable countries settle into life down under easily due to the comparability of training and experience.

Age Limit for Visas for Australia and New Zealand

It is likely that the first visa you apply for in either country is a temporary work visa. This is the fastest, cheapest and most straightforward way of working as a GP in Australia or New Zealand. Once you’ve secured a GP job, we will help you with your medical registration and visa applications. A temporary work visa allows you to start work and get to know the lifestyle and work environment first hand before committing to a more permanent visa. There is no age limit for temporary work visas for GPs in Australia or New Zealand. There are other factors you must meet such as health and good standing requirements which we can discuss in further detail.

Age Limit for Permanent Visas for GPs

If you are interested in applying for permanent residency then one of our Immigration Advisors can advise on the most appropriate route to PR in Australia or New Zealand.

There are upper age limits when applying for permanent residency which will depend on the type of visa applied for. To be eligible to apply for the Straight to Residence visa in New Zealand then you must apply before the age of 56.  To apply for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) then you must be under the age of 45. There are however other options and exemptions apply if you are sponsored by the practice and can meet other criteria. We have many doctors after the age of 45 who apply using this pathway/

Our specialist Immigration Advisors can advise on your individual circumstances. For more information please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Further Reading

Straight to Residence Visa for New Zealand

Visas for Doctors in Australia

 

Radiology Consultant Jobs – New Zealand

Posted on by emma

Radiology Consultant Jobs in New Zealand

We are now recruiting Radiology Consultants in New Zealand! Transition Medical has been established as the ‘go to’ agency for GPs relocating to New Zealand and Australia for many years now. We have built up successful relationships with medical practices across both countries and have helped many GPs make their dream a reality.

We are now expanding our services to help Radiologists who are wishing to have a working holiday in New Zealand or to make NZ their permanent home.

We’re been contacted by the Health Board in New Zealand who are looking for various Consultant level positions across Aotearoa.

We have vacancies in private practice and Public hospitals across New Zealand. You’ll have the opportunity to gain experience in a different health care system, work with some great teams whilst enjoying a great income and work / life balance.

If you or someone you know may be interested or want to find out more please do get in touch.

Working as a Radiologist in New Zealand

New Zealand is consistently rated as a country with one of the highest qualities of life in the world. It offers a safe environment for the whole family offering a great outdoor lifestyle.

New Zealand has a mild climate, moderate rainfall and many hours of sunshine. The weather varies across the county, with the warmest weather in the northern part of the North Island with subtropical climate. Many places such as Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay and Nelson / Marlborough receiving over 2000 hours of sunshine every year.

You can choose to work full or part time with minimum hours being 30 per week to meet visa requirements. There are no restrictions on where you can practise in New Zealand so you can choose to live and work in the city, somewhere coastal or rural.

For more information please do get in touch with one of our team to find out more.

Further Reading:

Find out more about the ‘Fast track’ pathway to Residency for Doctors in New Zealand

Cost of Living for Doctors working in New Zealand

 

Permanent Visa for Doctors New Zealand

Posted on by emma

Straight to Residence Visa for GPs to New Zealand

Last year in 2022 saw the introduction of the Straight to Residence Visa. This is a fairly new pathway which allows migrants apply for residency in New Zealand from overseas.

You can apply for this visa if you either currently work for an accredited employer or if you are overseas and hold a job offer with an accredited employer and your role is on the Tier 1 Green List.

“The Straight to Residence pathway provides an incentive for migrants who have skills in hard-to-fill, nationally significant roles that New Zealand needs to speed up our economic growth,” Michael Wood, NZ’s Immigration Minister said.

Snapshot of NZ Residence Visa for Doctors

  • Allows you to live and work in New Zealand indefinitely
  • You must be 55 and under to apply
  • Application cost $4290 in NZ or $4890 if applying from the UK
  • Include your Partner and any dependent children under the age of 24
  • Must have a job offer from a NZ Employer

As a GP you are on the Tier 1 Green List any job we help you find will be with an Accredited Employer. This will give you the option to apply for this fast track Straight to Residence Visa.

Visa application Processing Times

When this visa was announced last year there were no processing times, however Immigration New Zealand have now published that 90% of these visas are being processed in 76 days and 50% of visas are being processed in 35 days.

The current processing time is still longer than the Accredited work visa (temporary) however with the relatively short processing times, this makes it a viable option for doctors working overseas wishing to make NZ their permanent home.

Can I apply for NZ Permanent Residency?

As a doctor thinking about relocating to New Zealand, you may be going on a working holiday or wishing to make NZ your permanent home.

The first step is to chat to Emma about looking for a GP job in New Zealand, your timeframes for moving, your family and how this all fits in with a permanent move.

This visa will require additional supporting documents such as birth certificates, police certificates and English language requirements which of course, will take a bit more time and planning.

Find out More about Permanent Visas for Doctors

Are you interested and would like further information? Our Immigration Advisor, Nicola, is happy to discuss and give advice on the best visa pathway for yourself and your family. Please do get in touch either filling in our contact form or getting in touch with one of our team. 

Further Reading

Find out more about the Cost of Living for a GP living in New Zealand

More information on the Registration pathways for Doctors in New Zealand

How to prepare financially for moving to New Zealand

 

 

 

The Cost of Living in New Zealand as a Doctor

Posted on by emma

How Does the Cost of Living and Working as a Doctor in New Zealand Compare to the UK?

Before you begin looking for GP jobs in New Zealand, you may want to consider the costs of living and working as a GP in New Zealand. Many of our GPs decide to move to New Zealand due to its warm climate, amazing scenery and the fabulous work/life balance available to doctors. We’ll discuss some of the basic expenses and costs to consider before accepting a GP job in New Zealand.

New Zealand Doctor Salary

New Zealand offers attractive doctor salaries. As you won’t need to pay high taxes (most of your income is taxed at maximum of 30 or 33%) or National Insurance contributions, your salary will go even further. On average, General Practitioners salaries vary between NZ$220 – $250K depending on experience and location. With an average wage of around £100K for other professions, GPs will easily be able to afford a comfortable lifestyle.

Relocation & Accommodation Assistance for Doctors

Many GP jobs in New Zealand offer additional financial support to help with relocation. These are generally subject to negotiation and will need to be worked out with your employer. Many practices cover the cost of your practicing certificate and professional indemnity fees and we can negotiate relocation assistance for you.

New Zealand Housing Costs

The average house costs in New Zealand is £406K compared to the UK AT £268K so buying a house may seem considerably more. This will encompass more expensive areas such as central Auckland. However, the majority of our doctors relocate to other areas of New Zealand across the North and South Island further afield from Auckland where rental and house prices are much more affordable. For example buying a property in the beautiful Hawkes Bay is much more reasonable whilst still allowing a beautiful, coastal lifestyle.

Living Costs for GPs in New Zealand

Some basic living costs are much cheaper in New Zealand than here in the UK while others are a little more expensive. In this ever changing world of cost of living it’s a difficult one to quantify however we find our GPs have a great standard of living.

Working in New Zealand as a Doctor

The demand for skilled workers in New Zealand is very high and we currently have plenty of GP jobs available across New Zealand. Our GPs report more favourable working conditions than in the UK as they are often given more time to study and are required to work fewer hours. On average, doctors in New Zealand are only expected to work 32 hours across four days. As a result, working in New Zealand as a GP often provides a better work/life balance and living standard than working in the UK.

Speak to Our GP Medical Recruitment Specialists

Thinking about relocating to New Zealand? Our experienced medical recruitment specialists are here to help. We can advise on everything from visa queries to questions about the cost of living in New Zealand. Speak to us today to get started on your move down under or browse some of our excellent GP jobs New Zealand.

Other Blogs about Working in New Zealand as a GP

8 Benefits of Moving to New Zealand

Discover some of the most common reasons you should consider moving to New Zealand. From more time with patients to a better work/life balance, read about the benefits of working in New Zealand as a doctor.

What is Life like for GPs in New Zealand

Read out guide here to find out what it’s like to work as a GP in New Zealand. From the Medical Registration process to visas for New Zealand, we’ll answer some of the questions you may have.

Day in the Life of a GP

We spoke to two GPs we placed in New Zealand last year to find out more about how they find how life in different in New Zealand as a GP compared to the UK.

Useful Links

Cost of Living NZ

Cost of Living Calculator

GP Registration in New Zealand

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Can I work in New Zealand as a GP?

If you’re currently working as a GP and are interested in relocating to New Zealand to work as a GP, you will have questions about whether your training and education pathway is transferable to allow you to gain registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ)

 New Zealand Medical Registration Pathways

There are three pathways to medical registration in New Zealand. These are suitable for not only GPs but other specialties of doctors.

  • General Scope
  • Vocational Scope
  • Special Purpose Scope (Locum Tenens)

We will discuss the General Scope specifically in this blog.

NZ General Scope

The route Transition Medical most commonly use to assist our GPs apply for medical registration in New Zealand. Overseas trained GPs can apply for General Scope using either the Competent Authority Pathway or the Comparable Health pathway.

Competent Authority Pathway

You can apply for registration using this pathway if you hold your primary medical degree from either the UK or Ireland and have completed your internship from either country.

Comparable Health Pathway

The Medical Council recognises 24 countries as being comparable. You can apply for registration via this pathway if you have recent experience in a comparable health system. If you are currently working as a GP in the UK but completed your medical degree elsewhere, this is the pathway we will use for registration. If you’re currently working in one of the countries listed below, we will also use this pathway for your registration.

Current List of Comparable Health countries

To meet the criteria for Comparable Health, you must hold the following:

  • An acceptable primary medical qualification
  • Have practised clinically for at least 33 months out of the last 48 months for a minimum of 20 hours in a comparable health system
  • Have practised in the same area of medicine for those 33 months
  • Hold current full or general registration in your comparable health system

OR

  • Have completed a formal postgraduate GP training programme and been awarded a postgraduate qualification in general practice in a comparable health system within the preceding three years immediately prior to application; and
  • Have practised in a comparable health system, for at least 33 months (for at least 30 hours per week) of the 48 months prior to application, including at least 18 months (full-time equivalent) of practice in general practice and
  • Hold current full or general registration with the regulatory authority

If you hold a GP qualification and / or experience from one of the countries listed above and would like to find out more, get in touch with our team today to discuss further.

Further Reading

An overview of the Registration pathway and what practices are looking for in GPs moving

Find out more about what the cost of living is like as a GP in New Zealand

How are you supported into GP practice in New Zealand

8 Benefits for GPs moving to New Zealand