Life in Perth as a GP in Australia

Perth is one of the most popular cities in Australia for GPs to relocate to and it’s easy to see why! Find out more in our blog about life in Perth and more about our GP jobs in Perth and surrounds.

• Perth is the thriving capital of Western Australia and the state’s largest city.
• It is a laid back, very liveable city with wonderful weather and a relaxed feel.
• With a population of almost 2 million it is the 4th largest city in Australia.
• Perth is the 12th most liveable city in the world (Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index 2023)

The city runs alongside the Indian Ocean on the west coast and the distance from north to south is about 100km. The many suburbs based along the beautiful coastline have easy access to stunning beaches. The Swan River providing lots of water activities runs through the city and has Darling Ranges for stunning scenery, walking and bike trails, to the west.  The city centre of Perth is only a short 12km drive to the ocean.

Perth is an easy city to get around. The International airport is 30 minutes to the city by car. It is well serviced by public transport with great train and bus links around the Perth including the free city CAT bus. There is also a ferry terminal only 10 minutes’ walk from the city centre which crosses the Swan River with other ferry services providing trips out to the popular Rottnest Island.

Perth Time Zone

Australia is a big country with 3 separate time zones.  As Perth is the furthest west of all the cities, it is the closest to the UK, only 8 hours ahead of the UK and only 7 hours during British Summer time. Unlike some of the other states, Western Australia doesn’t practice Daylight Saving Time.

If you’re looking to have a shorter journey home or have family living in Asia and want to be closer, this is the perfect location.

Perth Climate

Perth is the sunniest capital city in Australia with an average of 8 hours sunshine daily. It has a mixture of Californian and Mediterranean climates with mild winters and hot dry summers. The summer months run from December to February and the temperature averages around 29 degrees during the day and 17 overnight.  The temperature can reach much higher temperatures however the hot days are cooled by the ‘Freemantle doctor’ which is a strong sea breeze that blows in for the ocean which provides relief and is excellent for windsurfing and sailing on the Swan river.

The winter months in Perth are from June to August.  These are mild with an average temperature of 18 degrees during the day and around 9 overnight. The wettest month is July which sees quite a bit of rainfall which comes down quite quickly and in many instances passes to be followed by sunny periods. It rarely gets cold enough for snow to fall or frost to form.

Combine the warm weather and beautiful beaches it is easy to see why so many people enjoy the outdoor lifestyle of Western Australia. All year round the residents of Perth enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches along the coast line, and on hot days, cooling down in the clean blue Indian Ocean.

Perth Beaches

Situated on the Indian Ocean, Perth has some of Australia’s finest beaches, most of which are easily accessible by car or bus. Enjoy surfing, swimming, scuba diving and fishing within a 20 minute drive of the Central Business District (CBD). For swimming, some great options are Cottesloe, Swanbourne, City Beach, Floreat Beach and Scarborough Beach. For those who want to try surfing, beaches such as Trigg, to the north of Scarborough, are ideal.

Kings Park and Botanic Gardens

Kings Park is a must see and has an amazing view of Perth City and the Swan River.  With 400 hectares of tranquil parkland, bushland and botanic gardens interlaced with trails and pathways Kings Park gives you the chance to experience Australian flora and fauna without leaving the city.  Great for kids to connect with nature with a playground and café on site.

Fremantle

Visit fabulous Fremantle, located on the coast just 30 minutes south of Perth CBD.  You can enjoy a coffee on the famous ‘Cappuccino strip’, take a stroll through the Fremantle markets, go underground on the Fremantle Prison Tunnel Tour or enjoy fish and chips down on Fisherman’s Wharf. Weekends are a great time to visit Fremantle with many festivals and events hosted in this great city.

Perth Housing and Schools

www.realestate.com.au
www.domain.com.au
http://www.australianschoolsdirectory.com.au/
http://www.australia.gov.au/topics/education-and-training/school-education
http://www.privateschoolsdirectory.com.au/

Perth for Kids

With such a great climate, entertaining kids in Perth is made much easier – visits to the beach or the park can be a spur of the moment decision and with better weather means planned days out can be enjoyed rather than it being a wash out.

Top 10 Family Attractions

Family Days Out

Hillarys Boat Harbour: A brilliant family destination only 30 minutes from the Perth CBD, Hillarys Boat Harbour is a great place to spend the day. Whether you are keen on swimming, boating, fishing, shopping or dining in cafes or restaurants, Hillarys has everything you need. For the little kids there is a lovely, cosy, beach with play equipment right on the sand. Bigger kids can enjoy waterslides, trampolines, minigolf and circus rides at The Great Escape. Parents can join right in or choose to relax at one of the cafes nearby.

Around Perth

Rottnest Island
Just 19 km off the coast of Perth, just under a 30 minute ferry ride from Perth city centre or Fremantle is the sunny holiday island of Rottnest.   Blessed with some of the world’s finest beaches and pristine bays, Rottnest Island is Western Australia’s very own island getaway.

There are no cars on the island so a popular way to get around is by bike, it is a small island making it easy to explore with a number of great trails to follow.  Not surprisingly, water activities play a major role in island life – from snorkelling and diving to fishing, surfing, boating, kayaking, sailing and swimming!

Margaret River
A 3 hour drive south of Perth is the Margaret river region.  This is an area renowned for its wine production and first class restaurants. You’ll be spoilt for choice with over 100 wineries plus many fine restaurants, boutique breweries, art galleries and fresh produce, from divine cheeses to chocolate.

Margaret River is also a top surfing destination holding yearly surfing competitions, and the town has evolved from a relaxed surfing town to a popular base to enjoy the areas flavours and spectacular scenery.The Swan Valley The Swan Valley is a 30 minute drive from central Perth. In the region you will find wildlife and historical parks, bushland, arts and crafts and several wineries. The Swan Valley is also breathtakingly beautiful in wild flower season.

More information on our Perth vacancies

Further Reading

Read our blog on Australian School Fees

Read our blog on GP Salaries in Australia

Perth GP Jobs

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 5^th  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

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?

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?

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

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 1^st 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.

If you’re considering applying for GP jobs in Australia, you’ll certainly need to think about the financial aspects of moving to Australia. You might want to think about the cost of living in Australia as well as the Australian tax system and how it affects your take-home pay. If you own property in the UK and plan to keep it, you might also want to know how Australia taxes any income earned for overseas properties.

Average GP Salary Australia

Average GP salaries in Australia are excellent with most GPs earning between AUS $250,000 to $400,000. Our GPs have a higher wage in Australia than they did in the UK.

GPs in Australia often earn a percentage of the billings rather than a fixed salary. This takes into account the number of patients they see, the complexity of the consultations and the number of hours worked. Our GPs have found that this payment system gives them more control over their take-home pay.

Paying Tax as a British GP Working in Australia

As a general practitioner,  we will help you relocate to Australia initially on a Temporary Skilled Shortage Visa (TSS 482). You will be classed as an Australian resident for tax purposes. 

Australian residents must declare any income earned from anywhere in the world. However, can also take advantage of Australia’s tax-free threshold and tax offsets. Australian residents also typically receive a lower tax rate than foreign residents.

Australia’s Tax System: How to Pay Tax

Before you begin working as a GP in Australia, you’ll need to apply for a tax file number, also known as TFN. The Australian financial year ends on June 30th and most people will need to file an annual tax return prior to this date. You’ll primarily be taxed on income and the amount you pay will depend on whether you’re an Australian or foreign resident.

Paying Tax in Australia as an Australian resident

Australia residents are entitled to claim a tax-free threshold of AUS$18,200 per year. This means you’ll only be taxed on income over the minimum threshold. You’ll also need to pay the Medicare levy, roughly 2% of your income, which helps support the country’s healthcare. In general, Australian residents using a TFN typically pay lower tax rates than foreign residents.

If you’re an Australian resident but only have a temporary resident visa, generally you won’t pay tax on any foreign income. Find out more

Paying Tax in Australia on Offshore Bank Accounts

If you decide to keep your UK bank account, you’ll need to report any interest or other income earned in your Australian tax income. Failing to declare this information could lead to financial penalties.

Working as a GP in Australia

Once you’ve secured a work visa and arrived in Australia, you need to apply for a TFN and complete a tax file number declaration. 

You must provide the declaration to your employer within 28 days of starting your GP job or you’ll need to pay the higher tax rate. After completing this initial paperwork, your employer will deduct taxes and submit them to the government.

We will help you get set up with all the relevant paperwork when you arrive.

Returning to the UK

While most of our GPs choose to make Australia their home for life, some decide to return to the UK. When you leave Australia, you’ll still need to submit a tax return. If you’re departing before the end of the tax year and don’t plan to return, you can lodge an Australian tax return early.

Ready to Move to Australia?

View our excellent GP job vacancies located throughout Australia or speak to one of our specialist recruitment professionals. Transition Medical is here to support you throughout every stage of your move from finding outstanding opportunities, securing Australian work visas and getting settled in your new home. Read our testimonies to learn about other GPs that we’ve helped make the move.

Other Relevant Blogs

• Changes to the permanent residency visa for GPs
• Which services Transition Medical provide
• GP Salary Australia
• Top 10 Tips for GPs relocating to Australia

GP Visa Temporary and PR Visa Options Explained

An important question and consideration when you’re planning to move abroad is which visa to apply for and if you are planning a permanent move, which PR option is right for you.

Our immigration advisers have put together some information below to help guide you. Please do get in touch to discuss your specific circumstances.

What are my GP Visa options?

As a General Practitioner (GP) you are eligible to move to Australia on either a temporary visa or on a permanent basis as your occupation is currently on the Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Common to all pathways is the requirement that applicants meet the Skill, Health and Character requirements. In the case of GPs, the Skill requirement is evidenced by successful registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). To be able to hold AHPRA registration, you first need to have signed an agreement with a practice in Australia and completed your RACGP PEP comparability assessment.

Permanent Residency Applications

There are several visa pathways to achieving the objective of Permanent Residency (PR). In this short article, we’ll be explaining the pathways in a straightforward way to help you choose the most appropriate option.

In simple terms, there are 2 primary pathways to Permanent Residency which we’ll discuss today. The Skilled Independent visa (sub class 189) which is a points-tested stream and the Employer Sponsored pathway (subclass 186).

The Temporary Resident Visa (Temporary Skill Shortage Visa Subclass 482) 

All of our employers in Australia prefer to employ GPs on a temporary visa initially (482). This visa can be granted for up to 4 years.

From a practical perspective GPs can enter Australia much faster by applying for the 482, rather than by applying from the UK for the permanent visa (186). At the time of writing, 75% of applications are assessed in as little as 38 days.

Under the 482-visa, as a GP you can either be employed on a full-time employment contract or you can be an independent sub-contractor and provide your services to the employer on an hourly / weekly pay rate or profit share arrangement. The majority of our GP Jobs are independent contractor agreements offering a percentage of weekly billings.

The 482 visa provides temporary residency status. As the holder of a 482 visa you are free to travel to and from Australia, your family can accompany you and your spouse is free to work or study without restriction. If you are a UK passport holder you will be entitled to Medicare health services once enrolled. Until this time when you arrive in Australia, you will need to hold Private health cover. Most states prescribe that the children of 482 visa holders cannot access free public education so there is a moderate fee to pay on an annual basis.

Direct Entry Pathway (186 Visa only)

This visa allows skilled workers, who are nominated by their employer, work and live in Australia permanently. The processing time for this visa is up to 13 months. Many of our GP practices are happy to provide this sponsorship to allow you to work in Australia on a permanent basis. You should be under 45 to apply for this visa, however there are exemptions to this if you meet this if you have previously held a 482 visa, have been working for the nominating employer for the previous 3 years and can meet the income threshold.

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

This is a points-based option for skilled workers. For this application, you need to submit an expression of interest. The eligibility criteria area; you must have a relevant occupation and complete a suitable skills assessment for this. The Skill requirement will again be evidenced by successful registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

You will be required to meet the points test pass mark of 65 and be under 45 years old at the time you are invited to apply.

Further Reading:

PR 189 Skilled Independent Visa

PR 186 Employer Sponsored Visa

For further information or to discuss your circumstances directly please get in touch with one of the team here at Transition Medical. Richard, our Specialist Immigration Advisor and Lawyer is on hand to help.

Further Reading on our blog

Australian Education system

Find out more about working as a GP in Australia

Benefits of working as a GP in Australia