Category: Blog

Discover what life is like for one of our doctors working on a tropical island in North Queensland

Posted on by emma

We chat to Dr Jamie who recently moved out to Queensland to pursue a dream working and living in Australia. 

What made you decide to move to Australia?

I was feeling burnt out working as a GP in the NHS and looking for a change in direction. I had planned to Locum as a GP in Glasgow then travel for a few months but with the pandemic this wasn’t possible. I then decided to look for jobs abroad and Australia was top of the list.
I came across Transition Medical and the rest is history!!

Tell us about a typical day in your GP role?

So my day starts with a 20 minute ferry ride over to a tropical island where my GP practice is based. I live on the mainland in a fairly busy city, so getting to start the day with a relaxing ferry over to a tropical island is pretty awesome! Beats the long commute on the M8!
My surgery starts at 0830 and I finish at 1630. I see a wide variety of presentations but mainly elderly and chronic disease given the demographic of Magnetic Island. There are also plenty of acute emergency presentations and this can be challenging to manage given we are on an island. It keeps things very interesting however. There are also the odd tropical disease presentations like dengue fever and meliondosis, all very new to me but again an interesting learning experience.  I am also able to do more minor surgery and see a high rate of skin cancer presentations.

Best bit about your day?

The commute……heading off to the island in the sunshine each morning is just great. It helps set me up for the day and makes the day that bit less stressful. Although the GP presentations and issues are very similar to back home, the environment in which I work and live here makes the job that bit more enjoyable. Also getting to go out at lunch time for a stroll by the beach is a highlight!

Working as a remote and rural GP here I also get to go to remote community in my boss’ private plane to help with clinics in the outback and remote areas. One of my best adventures so far was flying out to a remote area in the Gulf of Carpentaria to scale a tanker in the middle of the ocean and swab the crew for covid. I luckily avoided swimming with the bull sharks!!

Most challenging part of your day?

If someone is seriously unwell, it can be stressful and difficult to co-ordinate transfer off the island for emergency care. However there is an emergency clinic which is great support.

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

I find the culture very similar which is great as it makes me less homesick. The lifestyle is much more laid back however and being a very outdoorsy person I love the fact that almost every day is sunny in North Queensland (I say this as its currently torrential rain due to wet season!) The life work balance is also much better than the UK.

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

I feel like I’m still definitely going through an adjustment period and have been a little homesick especially over Christmas. But I am extremely happy with my decision to move and know that after a few months of hard work and getting used to the Australian healthcare system I’ll be settled. The opportunities over here far exceed the UK, not to mention the sunshine and beautiful tropical surroundings. Ive also met lots of amazing friendly people since moving which has helped.

Relocating is a big decision, involves a lot of stress and cost so be sure you want to make the move before diving in. I would definitely recommend using Transition Medical rather than try to do it solo as they took so much stress and anxiety out of the process.

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

The medicine is the same no matter where you are but the processes and healthcare system are different here. It has been a steep learning curve getting used to how the Aussie healthcare system works but I’m well supported by my supervisor and practice team. The main difference is billing, privately charging patients for healthcare is a challenging addition to my consulting as I’m used to the luxury of everything being free with the NHS.

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

I honestly cannot thank Emma and Kirsty at Transition enough for all their hard work and support. From the initial conversation to discuss my options and potential jobs, to facilitating zoom meetings with my potential employer and supporting me in making the right decision for me. They were so thorough at every step and handled ALL the paperwork for me taking that burden off my shoulders. I honestly don’t think I could have done it without them, there were so many hoops to jump through but Transition made it seamless. With the pandemic we had a very tough time getting over here, it was emotionally draining, Emma and Kirsty were there at every step to support us through it all and finally get us over here, I would highly recommend Transition medical to anyone looking to relocate to Australia, they are just wonderful.

My partner and I are so happy to finally be living our Australian dream on tropical Maggie and we are so grateful to Transition for making it happen.

 

Considering Moving to Australia as a GP? Your FAQs Answered Here

Posted on by emma

If you’re a GP thinking about relocating to Australia, you may have many questions. This may be early stages of thinking or you might be ready to move and want to find out more.

Here we answer your most frequent questions regarding working as a GP in Australia

Where can I work? –  All overseas trained GPs are required to work in an areas which is Distribution Priority Area (DPA). This is in place for the first 10 years of your medical registration and you may hear it as your ’10 year moratorium.’

The practice must also be able to be approved for a Health workforce certificate to be able to sponsor you on a visa. We find that generally these fall in line with DPA approved areas.  All the GP jobs on our website are suitable for you to apply. The areas where we find jobs are around Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane, Tasmania, the Central Coast and regional cities such as Busselton, Broome and Rockhampton.  Check out the workforce locator map here to check the geographical classification of any location in Australia.

How long are the contracts? – Generally 2 years, some more rural practices may consider 12 months. 

How long does the paperwork take? – Approximately 8 months from job acceptance to visa approval 

Do I have to work under supervision? Yes initially but just for 6 months if you’re substantially comparable. A period of self -reflection, peer review and clinical case analysis. There are no exams if you are substantially comparable. All of our UK GPs are substantially comparable whereas doctors trained in Spain, the Netherlands and USA are partially comparable. 

Will my earnings be affected during supervision? – No, in fact while completing the supervision period, you will have access to the full Medicare rebate (A1 rates) This means you bill the same as a vocationally recognised GP whilst working towards FRACGP. 

What is the Practice Experience Program (PEP) Specialist Stream? It provides a pathway for international medical graduates with overseas specialist qualifications to gain Fellowship with the RACGP. Please visit the PEP Specialist Stream webpage for more details.

Will I still get specialist registration? Yes once all Fellowship requirements have been met. 

What is WBA? – completed 3-6 months from commencing employment, provides a framework for evaluating performance and progress in practice. 

What’s does the PEP pathway to Fellowship look like? 

Do I need to sit exams on the PEP Pathway?

After satisfactorily completing all of the program requirements, substantially comparable participants will be eligible to apply for FRACGP. Partially comparable participants are eligible to enrol in the Fellowship exams after completing the WBA requirements.

If you are considering a move or just want to chat through options we have a dedicated team who will guide you through every step of the whole process. Visit our latest GP jobs or contact us directly for more information. 

Further Reading

RACGP 

Medical Board of Australia

DoctorConnect

 

UK Healthcare System compared to the Australia / New Zealand Healthcare system

Posted on by emma

For GPs relocating from the UK to Australia or New Zealand, you will have questions on the differences between the two health care systems. We have outlined how the health care system works in Australia and New Zealand.

Australia GP Healthcare System

Medicare is Australia’s universal health care and insurance programme. It guarantees Australian citizens access to a wide range of GP and hospital services at no or low cost.

Australia’s Medicare system is funded by the local taxpayers. Medicare is open to Australia citizens and permanent residents and those from a Reciprocal country. Once you enrol in Medicare you are issued with a Medicare card which allows you to access medical services, hospital treatment and prescription medicines.

The Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) lists the medical services covered by Medicare either in full or partially covered. The Pharmaceutical Benefits System (PBS) reduces the cost of medication to patients. As Medicare doesn’t cover all Medicare services, many patients choose to take out private healthcare insurance.

Private vs Bulk GP Billing

Patients in a GP practice are either bulk or privately billed. Bulk billing is where the total fee is charged to Medicare with no cost to the patient. A bulk billing GP consultation will be billed with an item number which will correspond to the scheduled fee. This is what you as a GP can claim for the consultation. Private billing is where the patient is charged but the partial fee can be claimed from Medicare with a ‘gap fee’ paid by the patient. Private billing consultations are set by the practice or the individual doctor.

This will affect how you are paid working as. GP in Australia.  You will receive a percentage of billings (between 60 – 70%) Your income will be very good however dependant on the number of patients you see and the complexity of those patients.

New Zealand Health System

The Public Health system in New Zealand is funded by taxpayers. Essential health care is free for all NZ residents and those with a visa for 2 years and longer. As a UK GP there is a reciprocal agreement between the two countries to access some healthcare services.

There are 3 key sectors in New Zealand; District Health Boards, Primary Health care and Health organisations. DHBs are government funded and are responsible generally for secondary health, PHOs assist with primary health services including general practice and community health services. There is also Accident and Compensation Corporation (ACC) which is a government run personal injury scheme which helps to pay for medical and treatment fees which are caused by an accident.

General Practice in New Zealand

General practice in New Zealand are privately run and set their own fees for consultations. The fees must remain within a threshold agreed by the DHBs and PHOs and the level of co-payment is determined by the practice. The cost of the visit will be lower if you’re enrolled as the NZ government subsidises the fee for enrolled patients. Some practices join a Very Low Cost Access (VLCA) programme run by the local PHO. This means they can keep their fees low due to extra funding.

Working as a GP in New Zealand

As a GP working in New Zealand you will initially be on an employment contract paid a salaried rate. This will come with additional benefits such as paid leave, sick leave and sometimes relocation assistance and paid medical practising fees and insurance. We find that our GPs settle in well into life in New Zealand, and enjoy that enviable work / life balance in an enjoyable patient setting.

For more information on living and working as a GP in Australia or New Zealand please do get in touch. 

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What is life like working as a GP in NZ today? We catch up with a UK GP couple who moved to Wellington earlier this year

Posted on by emma

We’re really delighted to hear how a GP couple we helped relocate to New Zealand are getting on. Dan and Hannah first got in touch with us in August 2020. Emma spent time getting to know them before securing them a post just outside Wellington which they started in June this year.

They’ve kindly taken the time to outline what life is like for them as GPs in New Zealand which we hope you find helpful in your decision making. If you want to find out more about moving to New Zealand as a GP please do get in touch with Emma here

What made you decide to move to New Zealand?

We had always considered working abroad as we love travelling and had wanted to explore on a more permanent basis. We both chose general practice as a career as we felt it would allow us to travel and work abroad more quickly than some other specialist training programs, as well as the fact that it is a varied and flexible job. We had visited New Zealand and absolutely loved the people, the lifestyle and the landscape.

Tell us about a typical day in your GP role?

COVID taking off in New Zealand has slightly changed the structure of our workday (from when we started) but it is still mostly face to face appointments of minimum 15mins. Patients are encouraged to book double appointments if they have complex problems. For the most part there is allocated time for paperwork and we always have a lunch break – this even includes leaving the building for a brief walk.

We do have a reasonable input to the inner workings of the practice and have regular clinician meetings to discuss cases or whether we feel anything could be done differently.

Best Bit about your day?

Dan – Having a lunch break and finishing on time most days

Hannah – finishing on time is an absolute luxury. Also having recognised time to fill out paperwork and do scripts.

Most challenging part of your day?

Dan – Still coming to terms with certain ways the health system in New Zealand works.

Hannah – there are some differences compared to the UK in that we manage more maternity care and GUM here. It has definitely pushed me into doing some new things which we didn’t have much exposure to back home.

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

Dan – We loved our lives in the UK but work was heavy in terms of volume and it was sometimes difficult to switch off. Here I find I can spend my time off not worrying about work (as it’s more manageable) which means it’s much more quality time. We moved to an area where there is plenty to do outside, we are next to forest and hills, 25mins drive to the beach and Wellington. Everyone when we moved was willing to help out and people are friendly to each other.

Hannah – New Zealand has a very relaxed lifestyle and attitude to life. Places are generally much quieter with less queues and traffic which is a welcomed change. The Wellington surroundings are beautiful and the area is so accessible to the rest of New Zealand, allowing us to reach forest, beach, mountains and city in a short drive. There is so much to do here which does make down time so much more interesting.

 

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

It helps that we are both doing the same job so the transition has been straightforward for both work and general life. There are a few things that are different in New Zealand – renting is mostly all through private landlords and there is a lot of competition for property. Housing is variable based on this and it can feel like it takes a while to find the right place. We stayed in an Air BnB for 1 month whilst we decided what areas were right for us.

Our shipping still hasn’t arrived and it’s nearly 6 months on from when it was picked up from our house in the UK. If you are bringing furniture/household items definitely arrange this early and think hard about what you would really like to have in those first few months.

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

Dan – So much easier than expected. The medicine is similar to a few more things being managed in primary care than in the UK and others we are used to but now have very little involvement in. This will change depending on where you end up working as well and the local secondary services available.

Hannah – I am surprised by the ease at which we have both managed to transition. Having only been a GP for 1 year prior to coming to NZ, I did have some worries about this, however we have been lucky enough to find a very supportive practice with a diverse group of colleagues with varying skills. On the occasions where I have picked up the phone to the hospital, I have been greeted with friendly clinicians who have always offered helpful advice.

It is more common for referrals to get rejected in New Zealand as the public system does have a very stringent budget with strict criteria. This can impact a little on the way you practice at times.

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

From our first contact with Emma we wouldn’t have explored any other companies helping with emigration. Even when it was just an idea she took the time to listen and address any concerns. There was never any pressure. If anything I think it was harder because we had so much choice and didn’t feel an affiliation to any particular part of New Zealand. Once we had narrowed this down the job interviews and applications were easily facilitated by Emma and Kirsty and our immigration advisor. There is a lot of information to get through but it was made as easy as possible by the team. We couldn’t recommend them highly enough.

Further Reading- click on the headings below in blue to read the full blog. 

Is there an age limit for GPs?

Top Tips for GP’s relocating to NZ

How are you supported into practice?

What next?

If you are interested in relocating to New Zealand and would like to find out more please get in touch with one of our specialist GP recruitment team.

What Do GPs Earn in New Zealand?

Posted on by emma

GP Salary New Zealand

If you’re thinking about working as a GP in New Zealand, then you are likely to be attracted by a beautiful country offering beaches, nature, outdoor adventures plus national parks for walking and biking.

You may also be thinking about the work – life balance which GPs in New Zealand enjoy and want to find out more about what life is like. One of the questions we’re often asked, is what the salary is for GPs in New Zealand. We will address these and answer your questions below.

The average working week in New Zealand is 32 – 40 hours per week or 8 – 10 sessions. Most of the contracts we see are 32 hours per week which allows for a day off in the week although there is generally scope to work up to 10 sessions if you wish. The pace of work is also more relaxed with standard appointment times of 15 minutes. You can work fewer hours, however on a temporary work visa, the minimum number of hours required is 30 per week.

GP salaries in New Zealand can be stated as an hourly rate or an annual salary. GP income is around $210,000 for a full time position of 40 hours per week. This would be pro-rata for less than 10 sessions. Contracts are employment agreements which also include paid annual leave and sick leave plus other benefits such as paid medical indemnity insurance, registration fees and sometimes relocation plus assistance towards your MIQ (managed isolation quarantine) costs.

How Do NZ Salaries Compare with the UK?

How your NZ income compares will depend on the type of practise in the UK. Salaried GPs may find their income slightly more or at least comparable. If however you are in a successful GP Partnership or busy doing Locum or Out of hours shifts, you may find income to be lower.

Money however, is not everything, and what attracts GPs to New Zealand is the lifestyle. It offers a relaxed pace of life, well run healthcare system where GPs are looked after where cost of living is affordable.

We have placed many doctors in New Zealand who find the people very friendly and life much more relaxed. If you would like to find out more about working in New Zealand please do get in touch with our team!

 

 

 

 

Is there an age limit for GPs?

Posted on by emma

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

The answer is, there is no age limit. We have placed GPs ranging from newly qualified doctors through to GPs who have reached retirement and fancy a spell working overseas.

Age is not a factor for the majority of our medical practices we work with. Most are looking for good all-round GPs with comparable qualifications.

Let’s address what practices are looking for:

Australia

If a practice in Australia is unable to find a suitable GP from within Australia they will first look overseas for a GP with substantially comparable experience such as the UK or Ireland.

The Australian registration process changed on the 1st September 2019. The registration pathway allows for those with comparable qualifications to submit a comparability assessment. To find out more please do get in touch.

New Zealand

New Zealand practices will look to comparable countries.  There are over 20 countries which are considered comparable. For a full list please the Medical Council website.

Age Limit for Visas

To apply for a temporary visa to work in either Australia or New Zealand, as long as you meet the other health and good standing criteria, then age is no factor.

If you are planning a permanent move then the age limit when applying for an independent permanent visa in Australia is 45, there are options after this age for you to be sponsored by the practice. In New Zealand, you need to apply before you reach 56. Our specialist immigration advisor can advise on your individual circumstances. For more information please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Top Tips for GPs Relocating to New Zealand

Posted on by emma

Here at Transition Medical we get asked many questions from GPs new to their New Zealand GP job search. As one of the leading UK GP recruitment agencies we have compiled a brief checklist of things you’ll need to have (and think about)!

1. Primary Medical Degree from a recognised university – MBBS, MB ChB, MD, MB BCh, BM etc

3. Language Skills – All overseas trained GPs are required to demonstrate their English competency. This is fairly straightforward for overseas GPs. It can be proven if English is your primary language, you completed your primary medical degree from a recognised English-speaking country (UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa or USA).

Another way of meeting this requirement is to have worked continuously as a registered medical practitioner where English was the first and primary language for a minimum of 2 years and can provide the names of two referees who can attest to your English language ability.

Otherwise you would need to sit an appropriate English language test eg IELTS or OET.

4. Medical Registration – Full, current and unconditional registration from your current authority (i.e. GMC) and unconditional registration from any previous registering authority. You will need a Certificate of Good Standing from each authority you have been registered over the last 5 years.

5. You must either hold a Primary Medical degree and have completed your internship from a Competent Authority such as the UK or Ireland or hold recent experience from a Comparable health system.

6. A Job Offer – To work as a GP in New Zealand and be able to secure medical registration and a suitable employment visa you must secure a job offer. The first step of this process is to speak to one of our medical recruitment specialists to find you a great GP job in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch or a fantastic coastal town or somewhere more rural. Whether you want city, beach or country life, we can find you what you’re looking for!

7. Timescales – The medical recruitment and visa process for New Zealand is relatively straightforward and will take approximately 3 months. We would recommend getting in touch around 6 months prior to you wishing to relocate.

8. Age doesn’t matter – GP practices are looking for good all-round GPs, so whether you are newly qualified, mid-way through your career or reaching retirement there will be a GP vacancy available for you.

9. COVID – We have to mention it. Although the New Zealand border is currently closed to most, GPs are still able to apply for an exemption to cross the border. We have had many doctors successfully relocate during this time. Managed isolation (MIQ) is required however we will help you navigate this process.

10. Finally – When considering working as a GP in New Zealand, it may seem a daunting process and you’ll be weighing up the pros and cons of relocating. Many GPs have already made the move and find the working conditions and lifestyle to be far superior than the UK. Discover what our GPs have to say and why we’re one of the Best Doctor Recruitment Agencies

If you are considering a move or just want to chat through options we have a dedicated team who will guide you through every step of the whole process. Visit our latest vacancies or contact us directly here.

June 2021 – Update on DPA Area for Overseas Trained Doctors in Australia

Posted on by emma

The annual update of the DPA (Distribution Priority Area) will be available on 1st July 2021. The DPA is updated annually based on the latest available billing data and population statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The aim is to ensure the distribution of medical practitioners in communities of greatest need.

What does this mean for GPs?

If an area gains DPA status (the area has now been assessed as not receiving adequate services for the needs of the community), practices in the area will now be able to employ Overseas Trained Doctors.

If an area loses DPA status (the area has now been assessed as receiving adequate services for the needs of the community), GPs who hold an existing exemption under section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 can continue to practise at their location provided they continue to meet the conditions of their exemption.

To find out whether a location is deemed a DPA you can click here.

Under current DPA classifications, areas within 30 minutes to 1 hour in the larger cities such as Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra are available however this may change from the 1st July.

We would like to see that the changes made in July 2021 lead to some areas such as Perth become DPA as there are currently no DPA areas there, however If you are considering a move to Australia, we would recommend getting in touch to discuss options before the 1st July 2021.  We currently have opportunities in city, regional and rural communities of Australia.

Desirable destinations Down Under now available as a result of changes to current DPA Areas

Posted on by emma

International Medical Graduates (IMG) continue to be in high demand in Australia; enabling access to a world-class health system while enjoying beautiful surroundings in warmer climates.  Now due to a new set of guidelines it is easier to work closer to the sought-after city locations.

Under new guidelines, IMG’s with substantially comparable specialist qualifications participating in the PEP, can work either in MM1 and DPA or MM1 and Priority GP catchment areas.  DPA refers to Distribution Priority Area which aims to facilitate the placement of medical practitioners in communities of greatest need.  The MMM (Modified Monash Model) is used to assess where the need is. MM1 are the most metropolitan areas and MM7 are the most rural.

A Health Workforce Certificate (HWC) is still required however we will liaise directly with the practice to secure this on your behalf.

In light of these recent changes, we will be adding lots more GP Jobs to our website very shortly so please keep checking to see our latest vacancies –https://transitionmedical.com

Whether you are ready to go or just want to chat through your options, we can help – info@transitionmedical.com or call our friendly team on +44 (0) 7983 685945

For information on gaining medical registration in Australia – read our blog here 

For more information on the new guidelines around where you can work see here.

Current Covid-19 travel restrictions – what this means for doctors wishing to relocate to New Zealand and Australia.

Posted on by emma
Due to the ever-changing guidance around travel we felt it might be good for those interested in relocating to Australia or NZ to answer some frequently asked questions. We hope you find it helpful,  if you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch 
AUSTRALIA
Q. Can I still apply for a new GP Job? and once I have a job offer and my visa approved, am I eligible to travel?  
A. Yes – Australia continues to have border measures in place to protect the health of the Australian community, however there are exemptions we can apply for to enable us to continue to recruit and fill vacancies throughout Australia.  There continues to be a strong demand from healthcare employers in Australia to recruit International Medical Graduates.
Travel exemptions as determined by the Commissioner:
  • Foreign nationals travelling at the invitation of the Australian Commonwealth Government for the purpose of assisting in the COVID-19 response or whose entry would be in the national interest
  • Critical medical services, including air ambulance and delivery of supplies, that regularly arrive into Australia from international ports
  • Persons with critical skills (for example, medical specialists, engineers, marine pilots and crews) by exception
  • Diplomats accredited to Australia and currently resident in Australia and their immediate family
  • ​Case-by-case exceptions may also be granted for humanitarian or compassionate reasons.

We have a fully committed immigration team who will manage the visa applications on your behalf and be available to help with any queries regarding exemptions. Please note exemptions must be granted prior to undertaking travel to Australia.

You can apply for an exemption using this online form.  Exemptions are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

To supplement your application for exemption, you will need to provide evidence that your employer requires you to start immediately for the purpose of assisting in the COVID-19 response, we will request and assist with this on your behalf.

Q. Do I need to quarantine on arrival?

A. Yes  – All travellers arriving in Australia will be required to undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities, in their port of arrival.​ See here for specific detals.  Upon arrival, you will be transported directly to designated facilities after appropriate immigration, customs and enhanced health checks. This requirement applies to anyone, including Australian citizens/permanent residents and temporary residents exempt from the travel ban.

Q. Are there any caps on international passenger flows?

A. Yes unfortunately there are – In order to manage and maintain quarantine arrangements across the jurisdictions of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, National Cabinet agreed to implement caps on international arrivals, and an extension of current international passenger flight restrictions into Victoria. There has been a reduction in the number of flights available into and from Australia however the national government will review this policy on 24th October 2020.
NEW ZEALAND
Q. Can I still apply for a new GP Job in NZ and once I have a job and have my visa approved, am I still eligible to travel?
A. Yes – Like Australia there continues to be a strong demand for GPs in New Zealand and we have continued to recruit throughout this year for positions in both the North and South Island. Our immigration team are on hand to advise and support border exemptions and visa applications.
The New Zealand borders are closed for all but critical travel — protecting public health in New Zealand. However, we can apply to the INZ for border exemptions and critical purpose visas to enable entry as GP’s are considered as a critical health worker who hold a key position required to deliver critical services within the NZ health system.  If you have a dependent partner or children, you can also include them in the request. You must be able to prove you are in a genuine and stable relationship with your partner.
Once your border exemption application has been submitted, an immigration officer will assess your request and if they are satisfied that you are eligible to travel to New Zealand, they will contact you with information about what to do. As they are dealing with high numbers of requests for assistance, they are currently aiming to respond within two working days, however, this timeframe may be longer depending on enquiry volumes and the complexity of requests received.

Before submitting a request, please consider the availability of flights to New Zealand and travel restrictions for any country you may need to transit on the way to New Zealand.

Q.  Will I need to quarantine on arrival and what can I expect?
A. Yes – To help stop the spread of COVID-19, people who do arrive in New Zealand legally must complete at least 14 days of managed isolation or quarantine at an isolation facility. You will be assigned a room in a managed isolation facility for the duration of your stay. This will take into account how many people are with you. Everyone who is entering on a border exception as a critical worker will have to pay for the quarantine costs. You will receive an invoice after their departure from managed isolation and will have 90 days to pay.  Feedback from GP’s who have recently left quarantine have advised that its comfortable and have been well looked after.
As the above is all subject to change, we recommend referring to the below websites for the most up to date information.
If you are considering a move to Australia or NZ, either ready to move or just consider your options please do get in touch via email (info@transitionmedical.com or phone +44 (0) 7983 685945 to see how we can help.  We have GP positions across both Australia and NZ offering amazing work life balance and generous salaries.
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