How Long Does It Take a UK GP to Start Working in Australia?

If you graduated from a UK medical program (or passed PLAB) and completed Foundation Year 1, Australia's Competent Authority pathway is your route, whether or not you hold MRCGP. No AMC exams required. If you hold MRCGP with a CCT, compare the Expedited Specialist route in the Specialist pathway guide. Here is the realistic timeline from decision to first paid shift.

The short answer

15–17 months from application to full independence. About 3–4 months from starting your application to your first paid shift under supervision. Use the interactive pathway timeline to see each stage in detail.

Step-by-step timeline

Eligibility check and primary source verification — several weeks

You confirm you fit a Competent Authority category (a UK medical degree or PLAB, plus Foundation Year 1 or the matching supervised training) and have your primary medical qualification verified at source through the AMC and ECFMG (EPIC). There is no separate Competent Authority application or assessment fee, and no exam to sit; MRCGP is not what the Board checks on this pathway.

Verification is what takes the time. Your Certificates of Good Standing (from every regulator you have been registered with, sent directly to AHPRA and dated within three months of AHPRA receiving your application), evidence of practice recency and qualification documents go in with your provisional registration application. For a general practice position you also complete a PESCI (pre-employment structured clinical interview) for that specific position before you apply.

Source: MBA Competent Authority pathway ↗

AHPRA provisional registration — 4-6 weeks processing (Ahpra: most in 4-5 weeks, up to 6; apply at least three months before your start date, up to six months ahead; in its peak period Ahpra asks for at least 8 weeks)

You apply directly for provisional registration; the Board checks your Competent Authority category as part of that application. This is the point where you can legally practise medicine in Australia. You need a confirmed position with an approved supervisor and professional indemnity insurance.

Source: AHPRA registration process ↗

Supervised practice — 12 months (minimum 47 weeks FTE)

You work under supervision — typically at Level 3 for UK GPs, which means you practise independently with the supervisor available for consultation. This is paid clinical work, not an unpaid training gap. You bill Medicare, see patients, and earn from day one.

Source: MBA supervision guidelines ↗

General registration — 6-8 weeks processing

After satisfactory supervisor reports, you apply for full general registration. No further exams. Processing takes 6-8 weeks processing.

Source: AHPRA registration standards ↗

What most people get wrong

The biggest misconception is that the supervised practice period is dead time. It is not. You earn from the first week of supervised practice. At Level 3 supervision, you can also take independent after-hours shifts — evenings and weekends — which carry premium Medicare billing rates. Model your expected earnings with the income estimator.

Compare: Competent Authority vs Standard AMC