From Three Hours of Admin to 20 Minutes: One GP’s Experience of Moving to Australia

Posted on 10th September 202616th September 2026 by emma

What really changes when you leave UK general practice behind and start working as a GP in Australia?

“Life changer. My life has drastically improved.”

That’s how Karel describes his experience of leaving UK general practice and starting a new life as a GP in Australia.

Earlier this year, Transition Medical helped Karel find the right GP position for him and his family, before supporting him through the visa and medical registration process.

Now settled in Australia with his family, we asked him what life and work are really like.

From dramatically less administration to greater professional freedom, opportunities to develop specialist interests and afternoons at the beach with his children, his experience provides a fascinating insight for other UK GPs wondering whether Australia could offer them something different.

Less administration. Greater professional freedom. More opportunity to develop your interests. Strong earning potential. More capacity to focus on your patients. And a lifestyle that works for the whole family.

From three hours of admin to 20 minutes

“Admin time, admin time, admin time.”

It’s one of Karel’s clearest memories of working as a salaried GP in the UK.

He was working six sessions and describes reaching the point where he’d had enough and wanted to explore his options.

One of the biggest changes he has noticed since moving to Australia is the amount of time he spends on administration.

Karel estimates that his daily admin has fallen from around three hours in England to approximately 20 minutes in his current role in Australia.

For a GP accustomed to finishing a busy clinic only to face hours of results, prescriptions, correspondence and paperwork, it’s a significant difference.

Every practice operates differently and Karel’s experience won’t necessarily be the same for every GP moving to Australia. But it demonstrates just how different the structure of a GP’s working day can potentially be.

Greater control over the GP you want to be

Another difference Karel highlights is the control he has over his clinical work.

He describes having greater flexibility around the types of cases he sees and the ability to direct patients to colleagues when another GP is better suited to a particular area of medicine.

That freedom has also made it easier for him to think about developing his own specialist interests.

As Karel explains, he feels that opportunities to undertake additional training are more accessible – and his increased earning potential makes paying for that training more achievable too.

For GPs who have spent years working within a system where it can be difficult to shape their workload around their own professional interests, that can represent a significant change.

Having the capacity to deal with the difficult cases

Karel isn’t suggesting that complex medicine disappears when you move to Australia.

There are still challenging patients and difficult cases.

The difference, in his experience, is having the mental capacity to deal with them properly.

He describes the majority of his consultations as relatively straightforward, interspersed with the more complex cases that are inevitably part of general practice.

Rather than every consultation feeling difficult, he feels he has the capacity to give those more challenging patients the attention they need.

As Karel puts it:

“You experience satisfaction in your job… because you are not overworked. You can focus on things that you need to focus on.”

For UK GPs who still love medicine but are exhausted by the environment in which they’re practising, that distinction is important.

Feeling valued for the work you do

Money isn’t everything – something Karel himself is quick to point out.

But he also talks positively about the Australian billing model and the feeling of being rewarded for the work he actually does.

GP remuneration in Australia works very differently from the UK. Earnings vary considerably depending on factors including hours worked, patient numbers, billing arrangements, location and individual style of practice.

However, for Karel, the combination of greater earning potential, professional autonomy and reduced administrative burden has been a positive change.

And perhaps most importantly, he talks about experiencing something that’s difficult to put a figure on: greater satisfaction in his job.

And then there’s life outside work

Karel’s enthusiasm isn’t limited to medicine.

He lives near the beach and his two children spend their afternoons there.

There are playgrounds, an outdoor lifestyle and, for his family, a very different rhythm to everyday life.

His perspective is particularly interesting because he has travelled extensively before settling in Australia.

His conclusion?

“I’ve travelled a lot in my life, and I think this is the best place for a family.”

He goes further, describing the move as a “life changer” and saying that his life has “drastically improved”.

That’s a powerful endorsement – not simply of Australian general practice, but of the wider life that can come with making the move.

“I would recommend this to everyone who feels exhausted and in need of change”

Moving to Australia isn’t a small decision.

It means leaving behind familiarity, friends, family and a healthcare system you understand to start again on the other side of the world.

Karel makes an interesting point about that too.

If Australia ultimately isn’t right for you, moving doesn’t have to be irreversible. You can change direction again.

But for GPs who feel exhausted and know they need something to change, his advice is simple: it’s an option worth exploring.

In his words:

“I would personally recommend it to everyone who feels exhausted and in need of change.”

Finding the job was only part of getting there.

Of course, deciding you want to work in Australia and actually getting there are two different things.

Karel initially found Transition Medical online when he decided to explore his options.

We helped him find a GP position in a location that suited him and his family, before supporting him through the visa and medical registration process.

Then came the more complicated parts. Karel describes the visa process as difficult – and the medical registration application as even more challenging.

Transition Medical supported him through both.

As he says at the end of his video:

“Many thanks to Transition Medical. I wouldn’t be able to do it without you.”

We think that sums up an important part of what we do.

Finding a GP job in Australia is only one element of making the move. The position also needs to work with your registration, Medicare and visa requirements – as well as being somewhere you and your family actually want to live.

Transition Medical helps bring those different pieces together.

Karel’s experience is his own. Every GP, practice and relocation is different. But his story shows what moving to Australia can potentially offer:

If you’re a UK GP feeling exhausted or simply wondering whether there might be another way to practise medicine, you don’t have to commit to moving tomorrow.

Start by exploring your options.

Transition Medical can talk you through the GP opportunities currently available, your medical registration pathway and what’s involved in making the move.

Further Reading

Moving to Australia as a GP: Is It Worth Using A Specialist Agency?

Women’s Health: One Of The Most In Demand GP Skills In Australia

Australia’s Expedited Specialist Pathway: What the Latest Figures Mean for Overseas GPs

Posted on 8th September 202616th September 2026 by emma

New figures reveal how Australia’s fast-track registration pathway is opening up opportunities for overseas GPs

For GPs considering a move to Australia, the registration process has traditionally been one of the biggest parts of planning the move.

The introduction of Australia’s Expedited Specialist Pathway (ESP) has changed the landscape for eligible internationally qualified GPs, creating a more streamlined route to specialist registration.

Now that the pathway has been operating for some time, the latest figures give us a much clearer picture of how it is being used – and there are some encouraging signs for overseas GPs considering Australia.

General practice is leading the way

The Expedited Specialist Pathway was introduced in October 2024 to provide a faster route to specialist registration for eligible Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) who hold qualifications included on the Medical Board of Australia’s accepted qualifications list.

General practice was the first specialty included, with eligible GP qualifications from the UK, Ireland and New Zealand among those recognised.

The latest reporting shows just how significant general practice has been to the new pathway.

Between October 2024 and April 2026, 656 applications were received across the Expedited Specialist Pathway and 476 doctors obtained conditional specialist registration. General practice accounted for approximately 85% of expedited specialist registrations.

This demonstrates that the pathway has moved well beyond its initial launch and is now becoming an established route into Australian medical practice.

For eligible overseas GPs, this is particularly encouraging.

A DPA location doesn’t necessarily mean rural Australia

Another particularly interesting finding is where doctors using the pathway are actually working.

The figures show that more than 80% of doctors registered through the pathway were working in a Distribution Priority Area (DPA). However, the vast majority were also based in metropolitan areas.

This highlights an important point for overseas GPs: DPA does not automatically mean rural or remote Australia.

We regularly speak to doctors who assume that moving to Australia as an international GP means they will have to spend several years working in a very remote location.

In reality, GP workforce distribution rules are considerably more nuanced.

Depending on your individual circumstances, suitable opportunities can potentially be found in outer metropolitan areas, large regional centres and popular coastal locations, as well as more traditional rural communities.

What is the Expedited Specialist Pathway?

The Expedited Specialist Pathway allows eligible specialist doctors with an accepted qualification to apply directly to the Medical Board of Australia for specialist registration.

This differs from the traditional Specialist Pathway, where an international specialist would normally undergo an individual comparability assessment through the relevant specialist medical college.

For GPs, eligibility depends on factors including your specialist qualification and whether it appears on the Medical Board’s Expedited Specialist Pathway accepted qualifications list.

The pathway still involves a number of registration requirements and post-registration obligations. It should therefore not be viewed as an automatic or instant route to unrestricted practice.

However, for GPs who meet the criteria, it has significantly changed the registration options available when considering a move to Australia.

Supervision is an important part of the process

One aspect of the Expedited Specialist Pathway that can sometimes be overlooked is supervised practice.

Doctors registered through the pathway are required to complete a period of supervised practice and other requirements before progressing to unconditional specialist registration.

This means that finding a job and completing your registration paperwork shouldn’t necessarily be treated as two separate stages.

Your proposed position needs to be suitable for your registration requirements and the practice must be able to provide appropriate supervision. It is therefore important to consider the practice, position and supervision arrangements alongside your AHPRA application.

For an overseas GP, this can make choosing the right practice particularly important. A role may look attractive in terms of location or earnings, but it also needs to work with your individual registration requirements.

This is one of the areas where having support from a specialist GP recruitment consultancy can make the process considerably easier.

At Transition Medical, we work with practices across Australia and understand the requirements involved in employing overseas GPs. We can help identify suitable opportunities and work with both the GP and the practice to coordinate the employment and registration process.

What does this mean for UK GPs?

For appropriately qualified UK GPs, the development of the Expedited Specialist Pathway has made Australia an increasingly attractive option.

Rather than looking at registration, finding a job, supervision, Medicare, visas and relocation as completely separate processes, it is important to consider how the different stages fit together.

The location and type of practice you choose can affect your registration and Medicare requirements, while your individual circumstances may also influence the most appropriate visa pathway.

This is why we recommend exploring your options before committing to a particular role.

At Transition Medical, we can look at your qualifications and circumstances, explain the registration route that may be available to you and identify GP opportunities that fit both your professional and lifestyle priorities.

More choice than you might expect

Perhaps the most useful message from the latest data is that Australia’s efforts to attract overseas GPs aren’t confined to remote communities.

There remains significant demand for GPs across Australia, including in outer metropolitan, regional and coastal locations.

Whether your priority is being close to a major city, living near the coast, finding the right schools for your family or experiencing regional Australia, understanding where you are eligible to work – and which practices can support your registration requirements – is an important early step.

Considering working as a GP in Australia?

Transition Medical specialises in helping UK and overseas GPs make the move to Australia.

We can support you throughout the process, including:

Finding suitable GP jobs across Australia
Identifying practices able to support your registration and supervision requirements
AHPRA and Medical Board registration
Understanding the Expedited Specialist Pathway
Medicare and provider number applications
Visa support through our specialist migration partners
Relocation guidance for you and your family

If you’re considering Australia, get in touch with the Transition Medical team to discuss your circumstances and the opportunities currently available.

Your move to Australia might offer more choice than you think.

New Zealand’s Medical Workforce Is Growing and Overseas Doctors Remain Vital

Posted on 1st September 202616th September 2026 by emma

New Zealand Medical Workforce 2026: Opportunities for UK GPs

New Zealand’s medical workforce is continuing to grow, but the latest figures show just how important overseas-trained doctors remain to the country’s healthcare system.

The Medical Council of New Zealand’s 2026 Medical Workforce Survey reports that there are now 21,097 practising doctors in New Zealand, an increase of 2.8% over the past year and 15.6% since 2021.

For overseas GPs considering a move to New Zealand, however, one figure is particularly interesting: 43.7% of doctors on the New Zealand medical register are international medical graduates (IMGs).

Overseas doctors are an important part of New Zealand healthcare

International recruitment has long played an important role in supporting New Zealand’s medical workforce, particularly outside the country’s larger centres.

The new figures show that IMGs account for 65.8% of doctors in Whanganui, 63% in South Canterbury and 55.5% in Wairarapa.

General practice also remains the largest vocational scope in New Zealand, with 4,144 practising doctors in 2026 – an increase of 8.1% since 2021.

For overseas GPs, this reinforces something we see regularly at Transition Medical: international doctors aren’t simply filling a small number of isolated vacancies. They are an established and important part of New Zealand’s healthcare workforce.

What does this mean for you?

Overseas trained doctors are already a significant source of overseas medical recruitment into New Zealand. Medical Council figures for the year ending June 2025 showed that England was the largest individual source of internationally trained doctors granted registration, with Scotland also among the leading countries.

There are also established Medical Council registration pathways for eligible UK and Irish medical graduates. The exact route will depend on a doctor’s qualifications, training and experience, so it’s important to establish the appropriate pathway before making plans.

For GPs considering a move, New Zealand can offer opportunities across both larger centres and regional communities, with the latter often particularly reliant on internationally trained doctors.

Considering working as a GP in New Zealand?

Moving overseas involves much more than simply finding a vacancy. Understanding your registration pathway, choosing the right location and practice, and coordinating the different stages of your move can make a significant difference.

At Transition Medical, we specialise in helping overseas GPs find GP opportunities in New Zealand and supporting them through the medical registration, visa and relocation process.

If you’re considering making the move, get in touch with our team to find out about current GP opportunities across New Zealand.

Source: Medical Council of New Zealand, 2026 New Zealand Medical Workforce Survey.

CHECK OUT OUR CURRENT GP JOBS IN NZ

How to Register as a GP in New Zealand: MCNZ Guide for Overseas GPs 2026

Posted on 25th August 202627th August 2026 by emma

GP Registration in New Zealand

If you’re a GP considering moving to New Zealand, one of the first things you’ll need to understand is how to gain medical registration.

All doctors practising in New Zealand must be registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) and hold a current practising certificate.

The good news is that for many overseas GPs, particularly those who have trained or worked in the UK or Ireland, there are established registration pathways that can make the process relatively straightforward.

At Transition Medical, the two routes we most commonly assist GPs with are the UK and Irish Medical Graduates (Competent Authority) pathway and the Comparable Health System pathway.

Which pathway applies to you will depend on where you obtained your medical degree, where you completed your internship and your recent clinical experience.

Which MCNZ Registration Pathway Will I Use?

There are a number of different routes to medical registration in New Zealand, depending on your qualifications, training and experience. For many of the overseas GPs we work with, registration is obtained within provisional general scope through one of two routes:

UK and Irish Medical Graduates – Competent Authority pathway

Comparable Health System pathway

Although two GPs may currently be working alongside each other in the same UK practice, they won’t necessarily follow the same registration pathway.

Your individual medical training and work history will determine which route applies to you.

UK and Irish Medical Graduates – Competent Authority Pathway

This is often the most straightforward route for GPs who completed their medical education and early training in the UK or Ireland.

You may be eligible for this pathway if you:

hold a primary medical degree from an approved medical school in the UK or Ireland;
completed your internship in the UK or Ireland; and
meet MCNZ’s fitness for registration requirements.

You’ll also need to work with your proposed New Zealand employer as part of the application process, as there are sections of the MCNZ application that must be completed by them.

UK Medical Graduate vs UK-Trained GP – What’s the Difference?

This is an important distinction and one that can cause confusion.

Being a UK-trained GP isn’t necessarily the same as being a UK medical graduate for MCNZ registration purposes.

For example, you may have lived and worked in the UK for many years, completed UK GP training, obtained MRCGP and now work independently as a GP.

However, if your original medical degree and internship were completed in another country, you may not meet the requirements for the UK and Irish Medical Graduates pathway.

Instead, you may be eligible through the Comparable Health System pathway based on your more recent clinical experience.

This is why we look at each GP’s individual training and employment history when helping them plan their move to New Zealand.

The Comparable Health System Pathway

The Comparable Health System pathway can be particularly useful for doctors who obtained their primary medical qualification outside the UK or Ireland but have subsequently built up substantial clinical experience in a healthcare system recognised by MCNZ as comparable to New Zealand.

The UK and Ireland are both recognised comparable health systems.

To meet the standard requirements, you must currently:

hold an acceptable primary medical qualification;
have practised clinically for at least 33 months, for at least 20 hours per week, during the 48 months immediately before applying;
have gained that experience in one or more health systems recognised by MCNZ as comparable;
have worked in the same or a similar area of medicine and at a similar level of responsibility to your proposed New Zealand position for those 33 months; and
meet the relevant registration and fitness for registration requirements.

For a doctor planning to work as a GP in New Zealand, your recent experience therefore needs to be relevant to the GP position you’re proposing to take.

What if I’ve Only Recently Qualified as a GP?

This is another area where it’s worth getting individual advice before assuming that you aren’t eligible.

MCNZ has alternative prerequisites specifically for general practitioners who don’t meet the standard Comparable Health System experience requirements.

These may be relevant if you have recently completed formal postgraduate GP training and obtained an appropriate postgraduate qualification in general practice or family medicine.

There are additional conditions around when you completed the qualification and your recent clinical practice, so eligibility will depend on your individual circumstances.

If you’ve recently completed GP training, have worked part-time or have had a career break, it’s particularly useful to check your position before starting the registration process.

How Many Comparable Health Systems Does MCNZ Recognise?

MCNZ currently recognises 29 countries as having health systems comparable to New Zealand.

These include countries such as the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada and the United States, alongside a number of European and other healthcare systems.

MCNZ will also look at the amount, recency and nature of your clinical experience and how closely your previous role compares with the GP position you intend to take in New Zealand.

Do I Need a GP Job Before Applying to MCNZ?

For most non-specialist registration pathways, you’ll need a confirmed job offer in New Zealand before you can complete your registration application.

Your prospective employer is involved in the process and will need to provide information relating to your proposed position and supervision arrangements.

This is one of the reasons it can be helpful to consider your job search and medical registration together rather than treating them as two completely separate processes.

At Transition Medical, we can help you find an appropriate GP position and then support you through the registration process once your role has been secured.

Primary Source Verification – EPIC and MyIntealth

If you’re relying on international medical qualifications for your application, key documents will need to undergo primary source verification.

MCNZ uses the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates’ EPIC service, accessed through the MyIntealth portal, for this process.

Primary source verification means the institution that originally awarded your qualification confirms directly that the document is authentic.

The exact documents you’ll need verified depend on your registration pathway.

MCNZ advises doctors to submit the required documents to EPIC via MyIntealth by the time they submit their registration application. You can start the verification process earlier, and importantly, MCNZ states that the verification does not expire.

Starting this stage early can therefore help prevent unnecessary delays later.

What About English Language Requirements?

All doctors applying for registration in New Zealand must demonstrate that they meet MCNZ’s English language requirements.

MCNZ introduced an updated English Language Policy from November 2025, which provides a number of different ways applicants may demonstrate that they have the required level of English.

Whether you’ll need to sit an English language examination will depend on your individual education, training and work history.

It’s therefore worth checking your circumstances before assuming that you’ll need to book an IELTS or OET examination.

How Long Does MCNZ Registration Take?

MCNZ currently states that applications through provisional general scope pathways, including the Competent Authority and Comparable Health System pathways, are processed within 20 working days.

Thinking About Moving to New Zealand as a GP?

Relocating to New Zealand involves much more than finding a job.

At Transition Medical, we specialise in helping overseas GPs make the move to New Zealand and Australia. We can help you understand your likely registration pathway, find GP positions that suit your experience and lifestyle preferences, and guide you through the medical registration and relocation process.

If you’re thinking about moving to New Zealand, send us your CV and get in touch with our team.

We can review your training and experience, discuss your options and help you take the next step towards working as a GP in New Zealand.

Medical registration requirements can change and applications are assessed individually.

Further Reading

How are you supported into GP practice in New Zealand

Why New Zealand Offers One of the Best Lifestyles in the World for Doctor

From UK to NZ:A GPs Transition to Better Work Life Balance

Moving to Australia as a GP: Your Visa Questions Answered

Posted on 25th August 202629th August 2026 by emma

Moving to Australia as a GP: Your Visa Questions Answered

If you’re considering moving to Australia as a GP, chances are you have plenty of questions about visas.

Do you need permanent residency before you move? Is it better to start on a temporary visa? Can your partner work? What happens if you’re over 45? And what are the options if you’d eventually like your parents to join you?

Visa pathways can feel complicated, particularly when you’re also trying to coordinate medical registration, secure the right GP position and plan an international move with your family.

At Transition Medical, we work with GPs throughout this process, so we know the questions and misconceptions that come up time and again.

We recently caught up with Richard Field, an experienced Australian Registered Migration Agent, to put some of those questions directly to him.

Meet Richard Field

Richard was a solicitor in the UK before making the move to Australia himself in 2007. He subsequently became a Registered Migration Agent and has worked in Australian migration for close to 15 years.

His combination of professional expertise and personal experience of relocating from the UK makes him ideally placed to answer some of the questions we regularly hear from GPs.

What should I do first when preparing my Australian visa?

Richard’s advice here is simple: get organised early.

Visa applications require supporting documentation and some of it can take time to obtain.

Richard recommends thinking about requirements such as police checks early in the process. Depending on your circumstances, certificates may be needed from countries where you’ve previously lived, and requirements can also apply to family members included in an application.

🎥 Getting visa-ready: Richard’s first steps

The smoother your preparation, the easier it can be to coordinate your visa with the other important parts of your move, including AHPRA registration, your employment arrangements and your intended start date.

Temporary or permanent visa: which is better for GPs?

It’s easy to assume that securing permanent residency before you move must be the best option.

Richard takes a different view.

For many GPs, initially moving on a temporary work visa can give you valuable time to experience life in Australia before making longer-term decisions.

You can settle into your new area, get children established at school and, importantly, find out whether your new practice and location are genuinely right for you.

The practice also gets an opportunity to get to know you.

Richard makes the point that arriving in Australia as a permanent resident doesn’t automatically mean that everything else, the practice, location and lifestyle will be the right fit.

🎥 Richard explains: Temporary or permanent visa?

For many overseas GPs, the Skills in Demand subclass 482 visa can provide a way to begin their Australian journey without obtaining permanent residency first.

Your first Australian visa doesn’t necessarily have to be your forever visa.

What about the 186 permanent residency visa?

The subclass 186 Direct Entry visa can understandably be attractive to GPs looking to secure permanent residency from the outset. However, recent changes to Australian Government visa processing priorities have made the offshore 186 pathway a less predictable option.

Offshore healthcare applications no longer receive the same priority processing they previously did, which means processing times can now be considerably longer and much harder to estimate.

For GPs planning an international move, this uncertainty can make it difficult to coordinate medical registration, employment and a realistic start date.

For this reason, we are currently encouraging many overseas GPs to consider the 482 Skills in Demand visa as a more practical route to Australia, with permanent residency explored once they are established and working in the country.

Can I bring my parents to Australia?

For GPs planning a long-term move, it’s natural to think about whether other family members could eventually join you.

Parents aren’t simply included on a 482 visa in the same way as eligible immediate family members. Parent migration has separate visa pathways and eligibility requirements.

Richard can discuss requirements that apply to permanent parent migration, including the Balance of Family Test, as well as the importance of your own Australian residency status when you reach this stage of your application.

🎥 Can my parents move to Australia too?

There can also be temporary parent visa options for some families, so if having your parents nearby is an important part of your long-term plans, it’s worth getting individual immigration advice early.

What about my partner?

Your move to Australia isn’t only about your career.

If you’re relocating with a partner, their ability to work and build their own life in Australia can be a major part of the decision.

Richard advises that eligible partners accompanying a GP on a 482 visa can have work and study rights. You also don’t necessarily need to be married: a de facto partner may be eligible, provided the relevant relationship requirements are met.

This is why we encourage GPs to think about the move as a family decision, rather than simply a job move.

Visa rules change — make sure your advice is current

One final point is particularly important.

Australian migration policies and processing priorities can change.

Whilst migration legislation may remain relatively stable, policies and occupation priorities can change much more quickly. What applies when you first start considering Australia may therefore be different six or twelve months later.

Thinking about moving to Australia as a GP?

Finding the right GP position is an important part of what we do, but we know that an international relocation involves much more than finding a job.

We can support you through the recruitment and medical registration process, help you understand the different stages involved in your move and connect you with appropriate specialist advice when required.

Helping GPs move down under.

The information in this article and accompanying videos is general in nature and does not constitute individual migration or legal advice. Australian visa requirements, eligibility criteria, government policies and processing priorities can change. Always obtain current advice appropriate to your individual circumstances.

Further Reading

New Australian Vis Processing Changes

How Much will it Cost to Move To Australia

New Australian Visa Processing Changes: What Offshore GPs Need to Know

Posted on 6th August 202625th August 2026 by emma

Understanding the latest changes to Australian visa processing and what they mean for GPs planning a move from overseas.

Recent changes to Australian Government visa processing priorities have reinforced something we’ve been discussing with many GPs for some time.

Whilst the subclass 186 Direct Entry visa remains an excellent option in the right circumstances, for many overseas doctors it is becoming a less attractive pathway than it once was.

Longer processing times and a more limited choice of sponsoring practices mean it’s worth understanding the implications before deciding which visa route to pursue.

What’s changed?

On 24 July 2026, the Australian Government introduced Ministerial Direction 119 (MD119), replacing the previous processing direction (MD105).

Whilst there’s a political backdrop to these changes, the practical impact for GPs is relatively straightforward. Under MD119, overseas healthcare professionals no longer benefit from the priority processing they previously received under MD105.

In simple terms, offshore GP applications now join the wider queue of overseas skilled visa applications rather than being prioritised simply because they’re doctors.

Current estimates suggest offshore 186 Direct Entry applications commonly take around 9-12 months, and in some cases even longer. Whilst nobody can predict exactly how processing times will develop, there is currently little to suggest this route will become significantly quicker.

In fact, there is growing concern amongst migration professionals that processing times for offshore applicants could become even longer under the new priority arrangements.

Why does this matter?

For most GPs, obtaining a visa is only one part of a much bigger relocation journey.

Registration, finding the right practice, organising your family’s move, arranging schools, booking flights and settling into a new community all take time. Waiting many months for a visa simply delays everything else, often pushing back the entire relocation process.

Choice matters too

The other important consideration is choice.

Whilst some practices are prepared to sponsor doctors directly under the 186 Direct Entry pathway, these opportunities are relatively limited and are most commonly found in more remote locations or communities experiencing significant workforce shortages.

For GPs hoping to maximise their choice of practice, location and lifestyle, limiting yourself to employers offering offshore 186 sponsorship can significantly reduce the number of opportunities available.

Why many GPs begin with a 482 visa

For this reason, many overseas GPs initially relocate to Australia on a 482 Skills in Demand visa, allowing them to begin work much sooner while keeping future permanent residency options open.

Recent Government changes have also made transitioning to permanent residency from within Australia increasingly straightforward for many eligible doctors, making this an attractive pathway for a large proportion of GPs.

Every doctor’s circumstances are different, so it’s important to seek advice from a qualified migration professional before deciding which visa pathway is most appropriate.

Richard’s view

We’ve discussed these latest changes with Richard Field from Endeavour Migration, who continues to feel that, for the majority of GPs considering a move to Australia, delaying relocation to pursue an offshore 186 Direct Entry visa is often less appealing than relocating sooner on a 482 visa and considering permanent residency once established in Australia.

As always, the most suitable pathway depends on your individual circumstances, preferred location and long-term plans.

🎥 Watch Richard’s short video below as he explains what the latest changes mean in practice.

Thinking about making the move?

At Transition Medical, we’ve been helping UK and Irish GPs relocate to Australia since 2015. Whilst we don’t provide migration advice, we work closely with Richard and the team at Endeavour Migration to ensure doctors understand the practical implications of the different visa pathways available.

If you’re considering a move to Australia and would like to discuss practices, locations or the relocation process more generally, we’d be delighted to have an informal conversation and help you explore the opportunities available.

Moving to Australia as a GP: Is It Worth Using a Specialist Recruitment Agency?

Posted on 3rd August 20263rd August 2026 by emma

Expert advice to help you decide whether a specialist GP recruitment agency can make your move to Australia or New Zealand simpler, faster and less stressful.

If you’re thinking about relocating to Australia or New Zealand as a GP, you’ve probably already started doing your research. A quick online search brings up hundreds of practice websites, government guidance on registration and visas, countless forum discussions and more YouTube videos than you’ll ever have time to watch. AI can answer questions in seconds, and before long you’ve got a dozen browser tabs open, each offering another piece of the puzzle.

With so much information readily available, it’s reasonable to ask whether you actually need a recruitment agency at all.

The short answer is no.

You can absolutely organise your own move if that’s the route you’d prefer to take. Many doctors do, and some enjoy having complete control over every aspect of the process.

The better question, however, isn’t whether you canrelocate without a specialist consultancy. It’s whether doing so is the best use of your time and whether it will leave you feeling confident that you’ve made the right decisions for you and your family.

There’s No Shortage of Information

One of the biggest changes we’ve seen since Transition Medical was established in 2015 is just how much information is available to doctors considering a move overseas. Finding vacancies is straightforward, government websites explain registration pathways in detail and AI has made researching almost any topic incredibly easy.

The challenge isn’t finding information. It’s knowing what to do with it.

Most GPs who contact us have already spent hours researching Australia or New Zealand. They often have a reasonable understanding of the medical registration processes, have looked at salary figures, explored different locations and read countless opinions online. Yet despite all of that research, many tell us they still feel unsure about the decisions they’re trying to make.

That’s hardly surprising.

Moving to the other side of the world isn’t simply about understanding the paperwork. It’s about choosing where your family will live, what sort of practice you’ll enjoy working in, whether your children will settle into school and how your day-to-day life might look once you’ve arrived. Those aren’t questions that can be answered by a government website or an AI search.

Every GP’s Priorities Are Different

Some doctors want to maximise their earning potential. Others are looking for a better work-life balance after years of increasing pressure within the NHS. For many, the priority is finding somewhere their children can enjoy growing up, while others are looking for warmer weather, outdoor living or simply a fresh start.

There isn’t a single “best” place to live or work in Australia or New Zealand because everyone’s priorities are different.
A thriving practice in suburban Perth might be perfect for one family but completely wrong for another who would be happier in coastal Queensland or regional Victoria. Similarly, two practices can offer very similar financial packages while providing completely different working environments and lifestyles outside medicine.

One of the first things we encourage doctors to do is think beyond the job itself. Your working week matters, but so do your weekends, your commute, your children’s schools and the community you’ll become part of. Those factors often have just as much influence on whether a move feels like the right decision in the years that follow.

Could You Organise Everything Yourself?

Of course.

You can approach practices directly, organise your own registration, apply for visas, compare contracts and manage the relocation independently. Some doctors are very comfortable doing exactly that, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with taking that approach.

It’s worth remembering, though, that relocating internationally is rarely a single task. It’s usually dozens of tasks happening at the same time while you’re continuing to work as a busy GP.

There are contracts to compare, registration requirements to meet, visa applications to complete, schools to research, locations to explore and practical arrangements to organise. If you’re moving with a partner or children, there are even more considerations, all of which need to fit around an already demanding career.

For many doctors, having somebody alongside them who’s been through the process hundreds of times simply removes a great deal of uncertainty. It doesn’t take away the decisions, but it often makes those decisions much easier to make.

Choosing the Right Practice Is About More Than Salary

Salary is often one of the first things doctors look at when considering Australia or New Zealand, and understandably so. General practice can offer excellent earning potential, particularly when compared with the UK.

However, salary is only one part of the picture.

The happiest doctors we’ve worked with over the years are rarely those who accepted the highest-paying position. More often, they’re the ones who found a practice that suited the way they wanted to work, surrounded themselves with supportive colleagues and settled into a community that felt right for their family.

The culture of a practice, the level of clinical support, appointment lengths, billing model, patient demographics and opportunities for professional development can all have a significant impact on job satisfaction. These are often the conversations that don’t appear in a job advert but make a huge difference once you’re actually working there.
That’s why we believe choosing the right practice is every bit as important as choosing the right country.

Not All Recruitment Agencies Work the Same Way

Recruitment agencies often get grouped together, but they can operate very differently.

Some recruit across multiple healthcare professions. Others work internationally across several countries or primarily recruit on behalf of a small number of healthcare organisations. Those models work well for many candidates and employers.
Our approach has always been slightly different.

Since 2015, Transition Medical has focused exclusively on helping GPs relocate to Australia and New Zealand. We’ve deliberately remained a specialist consultancy because we believe international relocation requires detailed knowledge of registration, healthcare systems and the practical realities of moving overseas, not simply matching a doctor to a vacancy.

Over the years we’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of GPs make that journey. Today, around a third of the doctors who contact us do so because they’ve been recommended by another GP who has already worked with us. We never take that trust for granted, and we see it as one of the strongest endorsements of the way we work.

A Different Type of Conversation

Many doctors worry that contacting a recruitment consultancy means they’re committing to moving overseas.
In reality, that’s rarely how the process begins.

Our first conversation is usually just that, a conversation.

Some doctors call because they’re hoping to relocate within a few months. Others are simply curious about what’s involved or want to understand whether Australia or New Zealand could be the right move for their family in the future. Some won’t relocate for another year or two, and occasionally people decide that moving isn’t the right decision at all.

That’s perfectly fine.

We don’t believe anyone should feel pressured into making a life-changing decision before they’re ready. Our role is to answer questions honestly, explain how the process works and help people understand their options.

One of the comments we hear most often after that initial conversation is, “I feel much more reassured.”

Not because every question has been answered, but because the process suddenly feels clearer and more manageable.

Why We Always Say, “Do Your Research”

If there’s one piece of advice we give almost every GP, it’s to take your time and do your research.

Australia and New Zealand offer an incredible variety of lifestyles, and it’s worth understanding what different locations have to offer before making any decisions. A bustling suburb of Melbourne will feel very different from a coastal town in Western Australia, and both will provide a completely different experience to regional Queensland or central Auckland.
There’s no substitute for exploring those differences carefully.

That’s one of the reasons we spend so much time discussing lifestyle as well as employment. We want doctors to think about where they’ll spend their weekends, where their children will go to school, what hobbies they’ll enjoy and what everyday life will actually look like. Those conversations often prove just as important as discussing contracts or registration pathways.

After all, you’re not simply changing jobs.

You’re building a new life.

The Value of Speaking to Someone Who’s Done It Before

Whenever possible, we encourage doctors to speak with GPs who have already made the move.

There’s something reassuring about hearing from somebody who has recently navigated the same registration process, settled into a new practice and experienced the challenges of relocating with a family. Those conversations often answer questions that people hadn’t even thought to ask.

Over the years we’ve also learnt that no two relocations are ever quite the same. Every doctor brings different priorities, concerns and ambitions, which is why we don’t believe there’s a one-size-fits-all approach.

The right advice for one person may not be the right advice for another.

So, Is It Worth Using a Recruitment Agency?

For many doctors, the answer is yes.

Not because it’s impossible to organise everything yourself, but because having an experienced guide alongside you can make the process less stressful, less time-consuming and considerably easier to navigate.
Equally, if you prefer researching every aspect yourself and managing the move independently, that’s a perfectly valid approach too.

Ultimately, the decision isn’t about whether you need a recruitment agency.

It’s about deciding how you’d like to approach one of the biggest professional and personal decisions you’re ever likely to make.

Thinking About Australia or New Zealand?

Whether you’re actively planning a move or simply wondering what your options might be, the best place to start is usually with a conversation.

Not a sales call.

Not a commitment.

Just an opportunity to ask questions, explore what’s possible and gain a clearer understanding of what the journey might look like.

Since 2015, we’ve been fortunate enough to help hundreds of GPs relocate to Australia and New Zealand, and every journey has started in exactly the same way: with an honest conversation about what matters most to that doctor and their family.

If you’re beginning to think about your own future, we’d be delighted to have that conversation with you.

Further Reading

Why NZ Offers One Of The Best lifestyles for Doctors

How Much Will It Cost To Move To Australia

Women’s Health: One of the Most In-Demand GP Skills in Australia

Posted on 24th July 20263rd August 2026 by emma

Why Women’s Health Skills Are in Demand for GPs in Australia

For many GPs considering a move to Australia, one of the biggest questions is: What kind of skills are practices looking for?

The good news is that if you have an interest in women’s health, you will be in high demand.

Across Australia, there is growing demand for GPs with experience in areas such as contraception, menopause management, cervical screening, antenatal shared care and sexual and reproductive health. As the population continues to grow and more women seek comprehensive healthcare from their family GP, practices are actively looking for doctors who can offer these services.

A rewarding area of general practice

Women’s health is one of the most varied and rewarding areas of general practice. From supporting women with contraception and fertility concerns, through pregnancy and postnatal care, to helping patients navigate perimenopause and menopause, GPs have the opportunity to build long-term relationships with their patients and make a genuine difference to their quality of life.

Many Australian practices encourage GPs to develop special interests, allowing you to create a varied clinic mix while still enjoying the diversity of general practice.

Excellent earning potential

Developing additional skills in women’s health can also have financial benefits.

Procedures such as contraceptive implant insertion and removal, IUD insertion, cervical screening and shared antenatal care are highly valued by practices. Many clinics actively promote these services to patients, helping you build a loyal patient base and maintain a busy, fulfilling diary.

For GPs working in mixed billing or private billing practices, this can also translate into excellent earning potential alongside increased professional satisfaction.

Training opportunities continue in Australia

If women’s health is an area you’d like to develop further, many of our practice partners support ongoing professional development, and there are excellent opportunities to undertake additional training in areas such as menopause management, long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), skin cancer medicine and minor procedures.

Whether you’re already experienced or simply have an interest in expanding your skills, many practices are keen to invest in GPs who want to grow.

Finding the right practice matters

Some practices have an established reputation for women’s health and are looking specifically for GPs to continue growing these services. Others are seeking doctors who want to develop a special interest while building their patient base.

At Transition Medical, we have opportunities for both and will take the time to understand your interests and career goals before introducing you to practices that are the right fit. Whether women’s health is your passion or just one aspect of the career you want to build, we’ll help you find opportunities that match your ambitions.

Live GP Jobs with special interest in women’s health

GP Job North Brisbane – Excellent Earning Potential

GP Job Perth- $180/hr guarantee

GP Job Brisbane- Extremely High Earning Potential

GP Job South Perth- 70% Billings

English Language Requirements for Australia

Posted on 23rd July 202623rd July 2026 by emma

Do You Need to Sit an Exam for Medical Registration?

AHPRA English requirements

A common myth when considering moving to Australia is that you need to sit an English Language test.

Many doctors are pleasantly surprised to discover that they may not need to sit IELTS, OET or another English language exam to obtain medical registration in Australia. It all depends on your qualifications, training and employment history.

Why Does Australia Have English Language Requirements?

The Medical Board of Australia requires all doctors applying for registration to demonstrate that they have the English language skills needed to practise safely and communicate effectively with patients and colleagues.

This requirement applies to both Australian-trained and internationally qualified doctors, but there are several ways to demonstrate your English proficiency.

Do UK and Irish Doctors Need to Sit IELTS or OET?

In many cases, no.

If you’ve completed your medical degree and relevant higher education in English, and you’ve been practising in an English-speaking healthcare environment, you may be able to meet the English language standard without sitting an English language test.

This is known as meeting the requirement through an education and work pathway, rather than through a formal English language exam. The Medical Board assesses each application individually, so the evidence required will depend on your personal circumstances.

When Might You Need to Sit an English Language Test?

You may be asked to complete an approved English language test if:

Your primary medical degree was not completed in English.
You don’t meet one of the accepted education or work pathways.
There has been a significant gap in using English as your primary language of practice.
The Medical Board requires additional evidence that you meet the English language standard.

If a test is required, Australia accepts several recognised English language examinations.

Which English Language Tests Are Accepted?

The Medical Board of Australia currently accepts:

IELTS Academic
OET (Occupational English Test)
Pearson PTE Academic
TOEFL iBT
New Zealand Registration Examination (NZREX)
Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test (PLAB test).

Each test has minimum score requirements, and results are generally valid for two years unless you meet specific criteria allowing older results to be accepted.

Is OET Better Than IELTS?

This is another question we’re asked regularly.

The answer depends on your background.

OET is designed specifically for healthcare professionals, so the reading, writing, listening and speaking tasks are all based on real clinical scenarios.

IELTS Academic is a more general academic English test used across many professions and university admissions.

If you do need to sit an English language test, many doctors find OET more relevant because it reflects day-to-day medical communication. However, both tests are widely accepted for Australian medical registration, provided you achieve the required scores.

How Can Transition Medical Help?

Understanding whether you need an English language test is just one part of the registration process.

At Transition Medical, we assess every doctor’s individual circumstances before advising on the most appropriate pathway. In many cases, we’re able to reassure UK and Irish-trained doctors that an English language exam isn’t necessary, saving them valuable time, money and unnecessary stress.

We’ll also guide you through:

Medical registration
Visa applications

Because we’ve supported hundreds of doctors through this journey, we know exactly what’s required, and just as importantly, what isn’t.

Conclusion

If you’re considering relocating to Australia, don’t assume you’ll automatically need to book an English language exam.

Depending on your qualifications and professional experience, you may already meet the Medical Board’s English language requirements without sitting IELTS or OET.

Every doctor’s situation is different, which is why it’s worth speaking to a specialist before starting the process.

Further Reading

How much will it cost to move to Australia?

Real Life Stories – GP Couple move to Australia from UK

How Much Will It Cost Me To Move To Australia?

Posted on 13th July 20269th August 2026 by emma

We break down the cost so you can budget with confidence.

A common question we get asked at Transition Medical is:

“How much will it cost me to move to Australia?”

Unfortunately it really does come down to your own circumstances and plans.

Are you relocating on your own or with your family? Will the practice contribute towards relocation costs? Are you planning to go into long term rent immediately or stay in temporary accommodation (eg. AirBnB)?

Whilst every situation is different, having a realistic financial plan before you move can make the transition significantly less stressful.

Here’s a breakdown of the main costs you’ll want to budget for.

Visa Costs

The Australian Government reviews visa application charges each financial year, and new visa fees came into effect on 1 July. Depending on your visa pathway, government application charges have increased, so it’s important to check current fees before lodging your application.

For doctors relocating under employer-sponsored or skilled migration pathways, visa fees are just one part of the overall relocation budget. Medicals, police clearances and other application costs should also be factored in.

AHPRA Registration Costs

Before practising medicine in Australia, you’ll need registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

If you’re applying through the Expedited Specialist Pathway (ESP), you’ll need to budget for:

Initial application fees
Registration fees
Certified documentation.

These fees are separate from your visa application and are an important part of your relocation budget.

At Transition Medical, we guide candidates through every stage of the AHPRA process to help avoid unnecessary delays or unexpected costs.

Flights to Australia

Flights are often one of the largest upfront expenses.

Typical one-way economy fares from the UK to Australia range from approximately:

£700–£1,300 per adult
More during school holidays or peak travel periods

If you’re relocating as a family, this cost can quickly add up, and if you prefer to travel in Business Class it’s significantly more than this.

Temporary Accommodation

Many doctors choose to stay in serviced apartments or short-term rentals while they search for permanent accommodation.

We generally recommend budgeting for 4–8 weeks of temporary accommodation to give yourself time to explore different suburbs before signing a lease. Once again it will depend on your circumstances and the area you are relocating to determine the likely cost of this so we recommend you look on the usual sites for an idea of how much it may cost you.

Renting Your First Home

Rental prices vary considerably depending on where you choose to live.

As a guide, average weekly rents for a family home are approximately:

City	Average Weekly Rent
Sydney	AUD $796
Melbourne	AUD $613
Brisbane	AUD $687
Perth	AUD $721
Adelaide	AUD $629

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/au/property/average-rent-price-in-australia/

Bear in mind that more rural accommodation is likely to be less expensive than living in the City and of course the price varies widely depending on the location. your first three months, you’ll also need to budget for:

Rental bond (usually four weeks’ rent)
Two weeks’ rent in advance
Utility connections
Internet
Basic household essentials

Buying a Car

Outside Australia’s major CBDs, a car is often essential.

A reliable used vehicle may cost anywhere from AUD $8,000–$20,000, depending on age and model.

There are of course rental and finance options available.

Everyday Living Expenses

Don’t forget your day-to-day costs while you’re getting settled.

This might include:

Groceries
Mobile phone
Internet
Furniture
School uniforms
Childcare
Petrol
Eating out

Having enough savings means you can enjoy settling into your new lifestyle without worrying about every expense.

How Much Should You Save?

Every move is different, but as a rough guide:

Single Doctor
AUD $15,000–$25,000

This should comfortably cover flights, registration, temporary accommodation, rental bond, a car and initial living expenses.

Couple
AUD $25,000–$35,000

Family
AUD $35,000–$50,000+

The more prepared you are financially, the easier your transition will be.

Many doctors also receive relocation assistance from their employer, which can significantly reduce your upfront costs, so it’s always worth discussing this before accepting a position.

How Transition Medical Can Help

From AHPRA registration and visa guidance to choosing the right location and understanding relocation costs, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

We’ve helped UK and Irish doctors successfully relocate, and we’re always happy to answer your questions, even if you’re only at the early planning stage.

Get in touch with the Transition Medical team for a confidential discussion about current opportunities and let us help you plan your move with confidence.

Further Reading

Read GP Couples Story From UK to Australia

Bulk Billing Is Back