How to Register as a Doctor in Australia from the UK or Ireland: Step by Step
If you trained in the UK or Ireland and hold MRCGP, MICGP, or specialist qualifications with full GMC/IMC registration, you register through Australia's Competent Authority pathway — no AMC exams. This is the action-by-action checklist of what you do, in order. To track these steps against your own situation, use the interactive pathway navigator.
The six steps, in order
Step 1 — Confirm eligibility and gather your documents
Check you qualify for the Competent Authority pathway (UK/Ireland training with a recognised qualification and full home registration). Then assemble: your primary medical degree and transcripts, a Certificate of Good Standing from the GMC or Irish Medical Council (it must be less than 3 months old when the Board receives it), and evidence of recent practice. Budget about 4 weeks — the Certificate of Good Standing is usually the long pole.
Step 2 — Apply to the Medical Board via the Competent Authority pathway
Submit your application to the Medical Board of Australia. The Board assesses your UK/Ireland qualification as equivalent to the Australian standard — there is no AMC MCQ or Clinical exam on this pathway. Assessment processing takes 4-6 weeks processing, after which you receive an outcome letter.
Source: MBA Competent Authority pathway
Step 3 — Secure a position and visa (do this in parallel)
You can — and should — start applying for jobs early; this step runs alongside Steps 1–2. AHPRA registration requires a confirmed position with an approved supervisor. If you are not an Australian or New Zealand citizen, your employer typically sponsors an employer-nominated work visa (commonly the 482). Visa timing varies, so begin once you have a likely offer.
Step 4 — Apply to AHPRA for provisional registration
With your Board outcome, a confirmed supervised position, and professional indemnity insurance, apply to AHPRA for provisional registration. Processing takes 2-4 weeks after approval. Once granted, you can legally practise medicine in Australia.
Source: AHPRA registration process
Step 5 — Complete supervised practice
Work under supervision — typically Level 3 for UK/IE GPs, meaning you practise independently with a supervisor available for consultation. This is paid clinical work: you bill Medicare and can take independent after-hours shifts from the start. Expect roughly 6-12 months depending on pathway of full-time-equivalent supervised practice with satisfactory progress reports.
Source: MBA supervision guidelines
Step 6 — Apply for general (full) registration
Once your supervisor submits a satisfactory final report, apply to AHPRA for general registration. There are no further exams. Processing takes 2-4 weeks processing, after which you hold unrestricted registration.
Source: AHPRA registration standards
How long does the whole thing take?
About 10–14 months from application to general registration, but you reach your first paid shift in 2–3 months — supervised practice is earning time, not a waiting period. See the full breakdown in how long it takes a UK GP to start working in Australia.
Medicare and after-hours billing (runs alongside Steps 4–6)
To bill Medicare you also apply for a provider number and, in a metropolitan area, a Section 19AB after-hours exemption — both take 2–4 weeks and can run during supervised practice. Model your expected earnings with the income estimator.
What most people get wrong
The supervised-practice period (Step 5) is not dead time — you earn from the first week. And Steps 2 and 3 overlap: applicants who wait for the Board outcome before job-hunting add months unnecessarily. Run them in parallel.