The total first-year regulatory cost for a UK GP using the Competent Authority pathway is approximately $3,800 to $4,100 AUD, plus about US$255 for ECFMG EPIC verification of your primary qualification (ECFMG fees ↗). Here is the breakdown, sourced directly from current regulatory fee schedules.
Registration costs
| Item | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| AMC portfolio (primary source verification) | $642 |
| ECFMG EPIC verification (US$110 account + US$35 portfolio + US$110 per credential; USD, not in the AUD total) | US$255 for one credential |
| AHPRA Registration (provisional: application + registration) | $1,316 |
| AHPRA Registration (general: application + registration) | $1,645 |
| Police checks & documents | $200-500 |
| Professional indemnity (annual) | Varies — confirm with your insurer |
| Total (minimum) | $4,058+ |
What is NOT included above
- Visa fees — the 482 (Skills in Demand) visa costs $4,015 AUD for the primary applicant (from 1 July 2026 — check Home Affairs for current pricing and per-dependent charges). Most UK GPs are employer-sponsored, so the practice may cover some or all of this.
- Relocation — flights, shipping, temporary accommodation on arrival. Budget $5,000–15,000 depending on family size.
- Annual renewal — after the first year, general registration renews at the annual registration fee in the Medical Board schedule of fees ↗ (with a rebate if your principal place of practice is in NSW).
Comparison with UK costs
A UK GP's annual GMC retention fee is set annually by the GMC (check gmc-uk.org for the current figure). In Australia, provisional registration costs $1,316 and moving to general registration $1,645 (each an application fee plus a registration fee), then an annual registration fee each year. There is no separate Competent Authority assessment fee, and UK-trained doctors on this pathway do not need to sit the AMC exams.
When do you start earning?
You start earning from supervised practice — typically about 3–4 months from starting your application. At current Sydney GP rates, a full-time supervised position earns $250,000–400,000 AUD gross depending on billing, after-hours loading, and practice arrangement. The registration cost pays for itself within the first few weeks of work. Use the income estimator to model your expected first-year earnings.
Does the practice cover any of these costs?
Many practices — especially those actively recruiting UK GPs — contribute to or fully cover AHPRA registration and professional indemnity insurance as part of the employment package. This is negotiable and common for employer-sponsored 482 visa arrangements.