Relocating from Ireland to Australia as a GP
A new pace of life, new professional opportunities, and a smoother workday. For Dr Ciara, the move from Ireland to Western Australia has already delivered exactly what she was hoping for.
Having arrived in Perth just eight weeks ago, Ciara is settling into both the lifestyle and professional flexibility that continue to attract Irish GPs to Australia.
“Life here is very easy-going — it’s amazing. Great food, great weather, lots for small kids to do, and there’s no shortage of beautiful places.”
Now working in general practice in Perth, Ciara is enjoying a different rhythm of medicine while also taking the opportunity to expand her clinical skills in areas that interested her long before making the move.
Why Australia?
Like many Irish-trained GPs considering Australia, the decision wasn’t driven by a single factor. Lifestyle played a major role, but so did the professional opportunities available within Australian general practice.
“There are lots of opportunities here. I’m taking the time to get experience in a few areas.”
One area in particular quickly stood out after arriving in Western Australia.
“There’s a much higher incidence of skin cancer here, so I’m taking the time to learn dermoscopy and hopefully branch into minor surgery down the line as well.”
For many international GPs, Australia offers the chance to broaden procedural and clinical scope in ways that can be more difficult within other healthcare systems.
A Different Style of GP Work
Now working three days a week from 8am to 4pm, Ciara says one of the biggest adjustments has been the overall pace and structure of the workday.
Her clinic schedule includes a four-hour morning session, a three-hour afternoon session, and a substantial break in between, something she describes as a major shift from the intensity of Irish general practice.
“One of the biggest differences between Ireland and Australia is that I’m generally able to manage paperwork and results within session times.”
Rather than needing to arrive early or stay late to process admin and follow up results, many tasks are integrated directly into billable patient care.
“Either booking a phone call, which you can bill Medicare for, or seeing a patient face-to-face removes the need to be in before or after sessions flying through paperwork and sorting results.”
That change alone has made day-to-day practice feel significantly less pressured.
“I would say the workday as a GP is significantly less intense than it is at home.”
Flexibility and Autonomy
Another major difference Ciara noticed is the flexibility Australian general practice offers.
She currently works with 20-minute appointments, seeing three patients per hour, but notes that appointment structures vary widely depending on the doctor’s preferred style of practice.
“There’s great flexibility in terms of what you want to do. There are GPs in the practice doing 10-minute appointments and others doing longer appointments, the choice is there.”
That flexibility also extends into the business structure of Australian general practice.
“In Australia, as a GP you are self-employed, and there are pros and cons to that.”
While self-employment means managing superannuation and not having access to traditional sick pay, Ciara says it also creates greater control over both work-life balance and income.
“It gives you a much greater understanding of where your income is coming from.”
For GPs considering a temporary move before potentially returning to Ireland or the UK, she believes the experience provides valuable insight into the business side of medicine.
Learning Medicare and Billing
Like many international doctors transitioning into Australia, understanding Medicare and billing systems required an adjustment period.
“There’s definitely a learning curve understanding Medicare and billing, but the practice generally guides you through that.”
While different from the Irish healthcare system, Ciara found the support within the clinic environment made the transition manageable.
Finding the Right Support
Ciara relocated to Australia with the support of Transition Medical after receiving a recommendation from another GP who had recently made the move.
“That proved to be a great recommendation because I found them very personalised and very warm.”
After an initial conversation discussing her goals and the type of clinic she was looking for with Emma, a shortlist of suitable practices was arranged.
“They worked very closely with me all the way along.”
Following informal interviews with a number of clinics, Ciara accepted a role with the practice she now works in.
“They’re very experienced in the area and seem to have a huge amount of contacts on the ground in Australia and New Zealand.”
Navigating the Expedited Pathway
Ciara relocated via the Expedited Specialist Pathway, which she describes as quicker and less paperwork-heavy than previous pathways.
“I used the expedited pathway, which was a little less arduous in terms of paperwork and a bit quicker than the previous one.”
Even with the streamlined process, she says relocating internationally remains a significant undertaking.
“It was great to have Kirsty by my side helping with everything all along.”
Importantly, the support didn’t stop once she arrived in Australia.
“The team also gave ongoing support once I was out here, checking in and making sure everything was in working order.”
Settling into Perth Life
Only two months into life in Perth, Ciara already feels the move has delivered the balance she was looking for.
Between the outdoor lifestyle, family-friendly environment, and reduced day-to-day pressure within clinical work, the transition has been overwhelmingly positive.
For Irish GPs considering a similar move, her advice is simple:
“If you’re thinking about making the move, I would have no hesitation in recommending the Transition Medical team .”
Conclusion
Ciara’s journey from Ireland to Perth reflects a growing trend among international GPs seeking greater flexibility, broader clinical opportunities, and a more sustainable pace of practice.
While the process of relocating can feel daunting initially, the combination of professional support, structured pathways, and lifestyle benefits continues to make Australia an attractive option for doctors considering the move.
Now settled in Western Australia, expanding her procedural skills, and enjoying a more balanced working life, Ciara’s story highlights what’s possible for GPs ready to explore a new chapter abroad.
