doctors guide

8/2/2019 Doctors Guide

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THE DOCTOR’S GUIDE

TO WORKING IN

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

www.IMRmedical.com

Australasia’s Medical Recruitment Experts

A f r e e i n f o r m a t i o n a l g u i d e f o r all doc

t ors t h in

k i n g

a b o u t w o r k i n g i n Au s t r a l i a or New Zealand




"Australia has everything

England has but with great

weather and great food! Why

would I possibly want to go

back home!"

Dr Woods, UK



Do I need to take any exams to work in Australia or New Zealand?

Can I stay there permanently?

Can I work anywhere or do I have to work in ‘Areas of Need’?

Can I become a permanent resident or citizen of Australia / New Zealand?

How much do doctor’s get paid in Australia / New Zealand? What are the tax rates?

Can I get into college accredited training programs?

Do recruitment agencies charge any fees?

Can I transfer my pension over?

Do I have access to free public health treatment?

Can my children attend school for free? Or do we have to pay school fees? How much does private schooling cost?

Can I bring my family members across on my work visa?

Can my partner work in Australia or New Zealand on my visa?

"After 15 years in an inner city

general practice in London, I

took up a position as a GP on

coastal Queensland. My family

and I are very grateful to IMR for

this opportunity...Thank you"

Dr Leeson, UK



WHY

AUSTRALIA

ANDNEW ZEALAND?

Many doctors choose to work in Australia and New Zealand

because they offer:

Outstanding natural beauty, cleanliness, climate

•

and have an unrivalled lifestyle

Excellent standards of clinical practice

High salaries and offer an exceptional quality of life

Great opportunities for postgraduate training and

medical career advancement

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•

•

•

•

•

be in UK, USA, Ireland or Canada

Temporary positions for doctors of most specialties

due to their demographics and geography

• A welcoming, multicultural environment

Low cost of living so the average doctor's

disposable income is often more than it would



WILL I HAVE TOTAKE ANY EXAMS

TO WORK IN AUSTRALIAOR NEW ZEALAND?

Australia:

You may be eligible for temporary registration as a doctor

without sitting any exams ever, if you have a primary medical

degree from a "Comparable Health Care System". This

includes primary medical qualications from the United

Kingdom, the USA, Ireland and Canada.

In addition, doctors who have completed their PLAB, USMLEsor LMCC may also qualify for Australian Medical Board

registration without ever having to sit exams. All other doctors

may have to sit the AMC MCQ exam before gaining registration.

New Zealand:

You will be eligible for medical registration and be exempt

from sitting the New Zealand Registration Examination

(NZREX) if you fall in to one of the following categories:

1. You have a Primary Medical Degree from one of the

following:

• New Zealand • Australia

• UK • Ireland

2. You have a Specialist Qualication recognised by the

Medical Council of New Zealand as being eligible for

specialist registration

3. You have a medical degree (from a WHO recognised

school) and have worked for 3 out for the last 4 years in one

of the following comparable health systems:

North America (Canada, USA)

Western Europe (Austria, Belgium, France,

Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands,Spain, Switzerland)

Scandinavia (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden)

Other (Hong Kong, Israel, Singapore)

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•

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CAN I GET IN TO TRAINING

POSITIONS IN

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND?

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE SPECIALTY COLLEGES IN AUSTRALASIA:

Certain specialty training programmes are more

competitive than others in Australia and New Zealand.

You should seek advice from the relevant specialtycollege or a reputable recruitment agency in Australasia

before making a career move.

At the time of writing, these are the specialties which have the

highest number of training opportunities:

• Emergency Medicine

• General or Subspecialty Medicine

• ICU

• General Practice

Australian & New Zealand

College of Anaesthetists

ANZCA House

630 St Kilda Road

Melbourne Vic 3004

Tel: +61 3 9510 6299

Fax: +61 3 9510 6786

www.anzca.edu.au

Australasian College for

Emergency Medicine

34 Jeffcott Street

West Melbourne

VIC 3003

Tel: +61 3 9320 0444

Fax: +61 3 9320 0400

www.acem.org.au

Royal Australasian

College of Physicians

145 Macquarie Street

Sydney

NSW 2000

Ph: +61 2 9256 5444

Fax: +61 2 9252 3310

www.racp.edu.au

Royal Australian College

of General Practitioners

RACGP College House

1 Palmerston Crescent

South Melbourne VIC 3205

T: +61 3 8699 0414

F: +61 3 8699 0400

www.racgp.org.au

Royal Australian College

of Ophthalmologists

94-98 Chalmers Street

Surry Hills

NSW 2010

Phone : +61 2 9690 1001

Fax : +61 2 9690 1321

www.ranzco.edu

Royal ANZ College of

Obstetricians and

Gynaecologists

254 - 260 Albert Street

East Melbourne

Victoria 3002 AustraliaTel: +61 3 9417 1699

Fax: +61 3 9419 0672

www.ranzcog.edu.au

Royal College of

Pathologists of Australasia

Durham Hall

207 Albion Street

Surry Hills NSW 2010

AustraliaTel: +61 2 8356 5858

Fax: +61 2 8356 5828

www.rcpa.edu.au

Royal Australian and

New Zealand College

of Psychiatrists

309 La Trobe Street

Melbourne Vic 3000

AustraliaTel + 61 3 9640 0646

Fax + 61 3 9642 5652

www.ranzcp.org

Royal Australian and

New Zealand College

of Radiologists

Level 9, 51 Druitt Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Tel +61 2 9268 9777Fax +61 2 9268 9799

www.ranzcr.edu.au

Royal Australasian

College of Surgeons

250-290 Spring Street

East Melbourne

VIC 3002

Phone: +61 3 9249 1200Fax: +61 3 9249 1219

www.surgeons.org



DOCTOR’S SALARIES

IN AUSTRALIA

1 Australian $ = GBP £0.55 and 1 Australian $ = USD $0.91

by almost all hospital employees to substantially increase

your untaxed salary component.

In addition to salary packaging, most hospitals will give all

1. Sick Leave – up to 10 paid days per year

2. Annual Leave – up to 5 weeks paid leave per year

4. Consultants will also often receive a CME allowance, travel

and accommodation allowances.

3. Superannuation (pension) – all doctors working in

Australia receive superannuation payments to the value of

at least 9% of their salary. This is paid in addition to your

normal salary. All doctors who work temporarily in Australia

Seniority Approximate BasicSalary (Aus $)

Estimated Salary After Average Overtime (Aus $)

Grossed up Pay withSalary Packaging (Aus $)

Resident/SHO

Registrar

General Practitioner

Consultant (Specialist)

$60,000 - $75,000

$75,000 - $100,000

$150,000 - $350,000

$150,000 - $350,000

$70,000 - $90,000

$85,000 - $125,000

$170,000 - $450,000

$170,000 - $450,000

$80,000 - $100,000

$100,000 - $145,000

Not Applicable

$195,000 - $515,000

Taxable Income (Australian $)

$0 - $6,000

$6,001 - $35,000

$35,001 - $80,000

$80,001 - $180,000

$180,000+

All public hospital employees can access approximately 30% of their income as tax-free through salary packaging, the remaining

70% will be taxable. Here are the rates of tax for residents in Australia for the remaining salary after salary packaging:

Taxable Payable (Australian $)

Nil

Nil +15% of excess over $6,000

$4,350 + 30% of excess over $35,000

$17,850 + 38% of excess over $80,000

$55,850 + 45% of excess over $180,000

TAX RATES IN AUSTRALIA

OTHER BENEFITS

may cash in their superannuation earned when they leave to

return to their home country.

Salaries in Australia vary slightly from state to state. Each state Government xes all doctors’ salaries. Here are approximate

gures for basic salaries in Australia. After overtime and on-call work these salaries will be approximately 15-25% higher.

Salary Packaging is a tax minimisation strategy available to all public hospital employees in Australia. It allows you to

access approximately 30% of your income as tax-free depending on the hospital you work in. This is a system used



DOCTOR’S SALARIES

IN NEW ZEALAND

Here are approximate gures for basic salaries in New Zealand:

1 NZ $ = GBP £0.43

In addition to salary packaging, most hospitals will give all

doctors working in New Zealand the following benets:

"We loved Sydney - it has the

best nightlife in the whole of

Australia...Thank you IMR for

organising my placement so

professionally."

Dr Kruger, South Africa

Austra lasia’s Medical Recrui tment Experts

1. Sick Leave – up to 10 paid days per year

2. Annual Leave – up to 5 weeks paid leave per year

Seniority Approximate BasicSalary (NZ $)

Estimated Salary After Average Overtime (NZ $)

Resident/SHO

Registrar

General Practitioner

Consultant (Specialist)

$70,000 - $80,000

$80,000 - $90,000

$100,000 - $150,000

$150,000 - $230,000

$85,000 - $95,000

$95,000 - $105,000

$115,000 - $170,000

$170,000 - $265,000

Taxable Income (NZ $)

$0 - $14,000

$14,001 - $48,000

$48,001 – $70,000

$70,000+

Taxable Payable (NZ $)

12.5%

$1,750 + 21% of excess over $14,000

$8,890 + 33% of excess over $48,001

$16,150 + 38% of excess over $70,000

TAX RATES IN NEW ZEALAND

OTHER BENEFITS

3. Consultants will also often receive a CME allowance,

travel and accommodation allowances



FINDING A JOB INAUSTRALIA OR NEW ZEALANDThere are four options:

Find a job advertised in the medical press

and apply directly

Apply through a Recruitment Agency

Get a recommendation through a friend

who has worked in Australia or New Zealand

Any combination of the above

The medical press advertise some jobs, such as in the

BMJcareers journal or on the BMJcareers website.

Many vacancies are not advertised in the mainstream

press so you are almost obliged to register with an agency to

get full listings of vacancies.

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Austra lasia’s Medical Recrui tment Experts

Also, hospitals are often not able to advertise up and coming

vacancies until the vacancy has 'officially' become available,

therefore it is very beneficial to register with an agency to get

a full list of up and coming vacancies.

A recommendation from a friend is always useful as they have

rst hand experience of that specic job and so can usually give

you great detail.

"For all those who love skiing

and want to continue medical

practice, head to New Zealand

as there is great snow and life

as a physician is great."

Dr Lee, USA

find the most appropriate contact person in the relevant

department.

You can apply to hospitals directly and you may be given

a list of vacancies available, however it is often difficult to



BRINGING MY FAMILY TO

AUSTRALIA OR NEW ZEALAND

EDUCATION IN

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

WHAT DO I

ORGANISE FIRST?

In Australia and New Zealand schooling commonly starts at the age of ve, with two main options available when it comes

to choosing a school. Both public and private options are available to all people, with public schooling provided free in both

Australia and New Zealand. Private schooling is available at a fee which is generally charged on a yearly basis differing from

state to state as well as between schools.

There are four main components that make up the schooling structure in Australia, beginning with preschool (optional) between

the ages 3-5, primary school from 6-12, secondary school from 13-18 followed by optional further studies comprising of

various options including TAFE and University studies. New Zealand is based around a similar structure with an additional

component known as intermediate schooling which is undertaken between the ages of 13-15.

Education is compulsory in Australia between the ages of 5-15 and New Zealand between the ages of 6-16.

A common question is what order to do things when organising work in Australasia - here is the answer:

1. Find a Job – All the other factors depend on having a job rst. You can not be registered as a international medical

graduate in Australia or New Zealand unless you have found a job rst. (The only exception to this is if you have

unconditional registration which is granted to all doctors who are graduates of Australasian medical schools or you have

completed the AMC / NZREX examinations).

2. Get Medical Registration – This is state or territory based in Australia, so for example if you want to work in Queensland,

then you must be registered specically in Queensland. Each state has slightly different registration requirements. New

Zealand is slightly different again and has a national registration system, so it is very important to have the correct

paperwork ready before your submit your application.

3. Get Work Visa – Work visas are linked to your place of work and you will need sponsorship by your hospital / practice that you

are working for. You will require: Australia: 457 (Temporary Business – Long Stay) or New Zealand: 1015 (Work Visa / Permit).

4. Get a Provider Number / Prescriber Number

5. Get a Tax File Number (Australia) or IRD Number (New Zealand)

In Australia, if a doctor is traveling on a Temporary Business Long Stay Visa (subclass 457) their spouse is eligible to work. All New Zealand work permits granted to doctors allow their spouse to work in New Zealand.

All dependent children under the age of 18 years are able to travel on your work visa / work permit in both Australia and New Zealand.

Further information is available from:

Department of Immigration And Citizenship (DIAC) www.immi.gov.au | Immigration New Zealand (INZ) www.immigration.govt.nz



MIGRATION & PERMANENT RESIDENCY

FOR AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Migration advice for permanent residency / citizenship to

Australia and New Zealand can only be given by

registered migration agents.

In general, migration in to Australia and New Zealand is

assessed on an individual basis looking at factors such

as:

Medical registration in Australia or New Zealand

Job offer in Australia or New Zealand

Is your occupation on the Migration Occupation

Demand List

Do you have relatives already in Australia or

New Zealand

English prociency

Experience or qualications in Australia or

New Zealand

Each factor contributes a certain number of points and if

you meet the amount deemed necessary for permanent

residency, then you will be granted permanent residency.

Most doctors from overseas, work for an initial period

on a temporary visa and then apply for permanent

residency once in Australia / New Zealand when they have

fullled more criteria for obtaining points.

Further information available from www.DrMigration.com

– a website dedicated to helping doctor’s take their skills

internationally from one country to another. There is a

wealth of information on applying for permanent

residency in Australia or New Zealand based on

qualications, your spouse or employer sponsorship.

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"I would like to thank all the staff

at IMR for finding me a

wonderful job and arranging my

medical registration and work

visa in under 4 weeks...Your

service was truly remarkable."

Dr Schneider, Canada Australasia’s Medical Recruitment Experts



PERSONAL HEALTH COVER IN AUSTRALIA(under the Australian Public Health System – Medicare)

RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS – NEW ZEALAND & THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

It is now a requirement that individuals applying for a subclass

457 (Temporary Business) visa hold appropriate Private

Health Insurance for the duration of their stay in Australia.

This requirement ensures 457 visa holders have access to

vital services during the period of their stay in Australia, with

services including dental, allied health services,

accommodation or treatment in a private hospital, medication

not subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benets Scheme,

emergency ambulance transportation and more.

Most waiting periods for overseas visitors can be waived if

Private Health Insurance is taken up prior to or within 2

weeks of arriving in Australia.

There are guidelines that govern the minimum level of cover

required and Australian health insurance providers are able to

provide advice on the best cover to meet your individual

requirements. Most providers issue a visa compliance letter

conrming your health insurance cover as soon as you apply.

The Australian Government has signed Reciprocal Health

Care Agreements with New Zealand and the Republic of

Ireland enabling citizens / residents of these countries who

visit Australia immediate eligibility for the 457 visa without

the need for Private Health Insurance.

These agreements provide access to free treatment as a

public hospital in-patient or out-patient at public hospitals,

including subsidised medicines under the Pharmaceutical

Benets Scheme.

This arrangement covers any ill health or injury requiring

treatment for the duration of your visa. However, citizens /

residents of New Zealand and the Republic of Ireland are

still strongly encouraged to obtain Private Health Insurance

in addition to this reciprocal healthcare agreement, as this

only provides limited cover.

OTHER AGREEMENTS

The Australian Government has also signed Reciprocal

Health Care Agreements with Finland, Italy, Malta, the

Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

This agreement does NOT meet the requirements for

individuals to be approved as eligible for a 457 visa. Applicants

will need to purchase additional Private Health Insurance in

order to comply with the conditions set for visa approval.

These reciprocal agreements provide citizens / residents of

the associated countries access to necessary emergency

healthcare during their stay in Australia. For any additional

services e.g. dental, allied health services, accommodation

or treatment in a private hospital or medication not

subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benets Scheme,

individuals will need to hold private health insurance.

Citizens / residents from the United Kingdom, Sweden,

Finland and the Netherlands are covered for the duration of

their approved stay in Australia. Citizens / residents in Malta

and Italy are covered for a period of six months from the

date of their arrival in Australia.

Companies that provide Private Health Insurance in Australia are:

1. Australian Unity

2. Australian Health Insurance

3. Medibank Private

Please contact [email protected] for further

information on providers and an obligation free quote on

your required Private Health Insurance cover.



NEW ZEALAND

RENTAL ACCOMMODATION

HEALTH SERVICES COVER

New Zealand Citizens, Permanent Residents and all temporary residents holding a two year work permit (from any country)

are entitled to full health care coverage for all publicly funded health services in New Zealand.

Although the standard of the public health system in New Zealand is exceptionally high, some may elect to hold private

health insurance allowing them greater choice in choosing a hospital, specialist, allied health practitioner or dentist.

There are 2 main private health insurance companies in New Zealand:

1. Accuro Health Insurance – www.accuro.com.nz 2. Southern Cross Healthcare – www.sxhealth.co.nz

Most rental properties in Australia are unfurnished properties

and usually include a built in oven, dishwasher, wardrobes,

carpets, curtains and blinds, heating and air-conditioning.

Rental contracts are available from 6 months but more

commonly rent contracts are for 12 months. Many houses are

quite large and spacious due to the vast amount of available

land in Australia.

The majority of doctors entering New Zealand choose to rent a

initially renting a house give you the opportunity to learn which

locations are more suitable to your needs, are commutable to

your social networks, are close to places of employment, and

are nearer to education facilities. For these reasons, short or

medium term rental allows you freedom to move to different

parts of a suburb, town, city or even the country without being

committed to one location.

Category Eligibility Criteria Requirements Services Provided

New Zealand citizen& Permanent Resident

New Zealand citizens All services

Work Permit Holders(Most doctors in employment in NZ will

come under this category)

Hold a current work permit All services

United Kingdom citizens who are living inthe UK and who visit New Zealand on a

temporary basis

Hold a United Kingdom passport Urgent medical treatment as specified inthe New Zealand/UK Reciprocal Health

Agreement

PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE IN NEW ZEALAND

IN AUSTRALIA

IN NEW ZEALAND

Auckland Central

Auckland North

Auckland South

Auckland West

Wellington Lower Hutt

Wellington Upper Hutt

Wellington Mt Victoria

Nelson Central

www.realestate.co.nz

www.bayleys.co.nz

www.harcourts.co.nz

www.ljhooker.co.nz

The average weekly rental price for a standard 3bedroom house in NZ dollars is:

Accommodation websites in New Zealand:

$490$370$285$320$350$245$435$270

Apartments

1 - 3 bedrooms

Houses

3 - 5 bedrooms

AUD $150 - $550

AUD $300 - $750

West Coast Buller

Christchurch Riccarton

Christchurch Central

Christchurch Papanui

Dunedin Mosgiel

Dunedin St Clair

Queenstown

Invercargill

$142$280$350$300$220$245$380$195

www.realestate.com.au

www.realestateview.com.au

www.domain.com.au

Accommodation websites in Australia:

The average weekly rental prices are:



TRANSFERRING PENSIONS

TO AUSTRALIA

TRANSFERRING PENSIONS

TO NEW ZEALAND

Who do I transfer my pension to in Australia?

You need to transfer your pension to a complying Australian

Superannuation Fund licensed to receive your funds.

For more information and a list of available funds please

contact us on [email protected]

Is there a time limit for me to transfer my pension to an

Australian complying superannuation fund?

Yes, once you become a resident of Australia for Australian

taxation purposes you have 6 months to transfer your funds

to minimise any Australian taxation on transfer.

When should I start the process of transferring my

pension to Australia?

Due to the possible time delays associated with

Australian taxation

recommend that you begin the process of transferring

your pension immediatly upon your arrival in Australia.

What happens if I don’t transfer my pension within

6 months of my residency in Australia?

If you do not transfer your pension within 6 months, then the

increase in value of your pension wil l be subject to an

Australian tax of 15%.

Do I have to transfer my pension to Australia?

No, you can leave it as is, but there are detrimental

taxation consequences when you eventually retire or

bring those funds into Australia either as a regular

.If I decide to transfer my pension to Australia what

do I have to do before I leave?

You must obtain an up to date statement from your

pension manager. If you have an employer sponsored

pension please make sure your pension manager is in

possession of your termination date of employment. You

also need to notify your pension manager in writing of

your intentions to migrate to Australia and give them a

forwarding address in Australia.

Can I add to my pension once it is transferred to an

Australian complying superannuation fund?

Yes. There are several ways that this can be achieved:

Employment – In Australia if you are an employee and

earn over $450 per month your employer is required by

law to put 9% of your gross salary into your complying

Superannuation Fund.

Self Employed– Self employed people can contribute any

amount to their own complying superannuation fund but

there may be restrictions on the tax deductible amount of

your contributions.

Self Funding - Whether employed or self employed you can

contribute to your complying superannuation fund at any

time.

Does New Zealand have a compulsory superannuation scheme like Australia?

No. Kiwisaver is the Government pension (superannuation) scheme and is voluntary.

Can I transfer my pension over to New Zealand?

Yes. Free advice from the New Zealand Government is available on www.Kiwisaver.govt.nz

.

pension or a lum sum payment.



Australasia’s largest Medical Recruitment company

Access to hundreds of unadvertised vacancies

Unlimited free advice on any aspect of working in Australia or New Zealand

Free organisation of medical registration and work visas

Travel expenses reimbursed for many jobs

Royal College Approval for training positions

Your own nominated personal recruitment consultant

State and Federally approved medical recruitment company

RCSA and AMRANZ corporate level member

WHY USE

TO FIND YOU A JOB?

INTERNATIONALMEDICALRECRUITMENT

www.IMRmedical.com


UK: (0871) 284 7100 | Aus: +61 3 8506 0185 | USA: 1800 961 0342 Visit our website for further information or phone us for a free confidential discussion:

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