Australia needs more General Practitioners (GPs), especially in regional, rural and outer-metropolitan areas. For overseas-trained doctors, the most common way to start working as a GP in Australia is through employer sponsorship: a GP clinic offers you a position, supports your medical registration and sponsors you for a work visa, which can later lead to permanent residency.
This guide explains the GP clinic pathway for international medical graduates (IMGs): the medical registration steps, the PESCI, Distribution Priority Areas (DPA), supervision levels, GP visa sponsorship and the pathway to permanent residency. (There is also a hospital pathway for doctors who start in non-specialist hospital roles. This guide focuses on general practice.)
Step 1: Choose your registration pathway
Your first step is to confirm which registration pathway applies to you, using the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and Medical Board of Australia guidance. For GPs, the main pathways are:
| Pathway | Who it is for | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Expedited Specialist pathway | GPs with accepted specialist GP qualifications, for example MRCGP (UK), MICGP (Ireland) or FRNZCGP (New Zealand) | Specialist registration with a period of supervised practice (often around six months) and orientation requirements |
| Specialist pathway | Overseas-trained specialist GPs whose qualifications are not on the expedited list | Assessment by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) |
| Standard pathway | Doctors without a recognised specialist GP qualification | Australian Medical Council (AMC) exams, a PESCI for general practice roles, and supervised practice |
Step 2: Standard pathway exams (AMC)
If you are on the Standard pathway, you will need to pass the Australian Medical Council (AMC) exams:
- AMC CAT MCQ exam (first exam): a computer-based multiple-choice exam that tests your medical knowledge. Passing it allows you to apply for limited registration for a suitable supervised position.
- AMC Clinical exam (second exam), or a workplace-based assessment with an accredited provider: passing this allows you to apply for provisional registration.
You must also meet AHPRA’s English language skills registration standard.
Step 3: Find a GP clinic that will employ and sponsor you
To work in general practice, you need a job offer from an accredited GP clinic that can provide the supervision you need and is willing to sponsor your visa. The clinic must hold, or apply for, Standard Business Sponsorship with the Department of Home Affairs.
When choosing a clinic, check:
- whether the practice is in a Distribution Priority Area (DPA);
- its Modified Monash Model (MMM) classification (MM 1 is a major city and MM 2 to MM 7 are regional to very remote areas);
- whether it can provide an approved supervisor and the level of supervision you need; and
- whether it is accredited for GP training if you plan to enter a Fellowship program.
Step 4: The PESCI (Pre-Employment Structured Clinical Interview)
Most IMGs applying for limited or provisional registration to work in general practice must complete a PESCI. The PESCI is a structured interview, based on clinical scenarios, that assesses whether you are ready to work safely in the specific GP position you have been offered and what level of supervision you need. The RACGP and other accredited providers conduct PESCIs.
The PESCI is linked to your job offer, so you normally sit it after a clinic has offered you a position.
Step 5: DPA and non-DPA locations
Under section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act (often called the 10-year moratorium), most overseas-trained doctors must work in a Distribution Priority Area (DPA) to receive a Medicare provider number that allows patients to claim Medicare rebates.
- DPA locations are areas with a shortage of GPs. They include most regional and rural areas and some outer-metropolitan suburbs.
- Non-DPA locations are areas where GP numbers are considered adequate, mainly inner-city areas. Overseas-trained doctors subject to the moratorium generally cannot bill Medicare in non-DPA locations, unless an exemption applies.
Working in more remote areas (higher MMM classifications) can reduce the moratorium period. The DPA status of each location can be checked on the Department of Health’s Health Workforce Locator.
Step 6: Supervised practice, from Level 1 to Level 2 and beyond
When you start, you will work under supervised practice in line with the Medical Board of Australia’s supervised practice framework. Supervision has four levels:
| Level | What it means |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | The highest level. Your supervisor takes direct responsibility for each patient and is physically present when you see patients. |
| Level 2 | You share responsibility for patients with your supervisor, who is mainly on site and reviews your work regularly. |
| Level 3 | You take primary responsibility for patients. Your supervisor is available, often by phone, and reviews your practice periodically. |
| Level 4 | You take full responsibility for patients, with supervision focused on oversight and progress reviews. |
Many IMGs start at Level 1 and move to Level 2 and then lower levels as their supervisor reports show they are practising safely. The PESCI result, your experience and the Medical Board’s approval decide your starting level and when you can move to a lower level.
Step 7: GP visa sponsorship (subclass 482)
Once you have a job offer and your registration is progressing, your employer can sponsor you for the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482). General Practitioner (ANZSCO 253111) is on the Core Skills Occupation List. If your salary meets the higher specialist income threshold, the Specialist Skills stream may also be available.
For the 482 visa you generally need:
- a nomination from an approved sponsor (your GP clinic);
- Australian medical registration (or eligibility for registration) for the position;
- at least one year of relevant work experience;
- English that meets the visa requirement (AHPRA’s English standard is usually higher); and
- a salary that meets the market rate and the Core Skills Income Threshold.
Step 8: Fellowship and general registration
To practise as a specialist GP without supervision, Standard pathway doctors work towards Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP) or ACRRM (FACRRM), through programs such as the RACGP Fellowship Support Program (FSP), the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program or the ACRRM Independent Pathway. After 12 months of satisfactory supervised practice, you may also apply for general registration.
Step 9: Permanent residency for GPs
After working for your sponsoring clinic on a 482 visa, generally for two years, you may be eligible for permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186), Temporary Residence Transition stream. Depending on your circumstances, the 186 Direct Entry stream or the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) for regional clinics may also be options. Age, English, registration and other requirements apply.
GP jobs with visa sponsorship: we can connect you with clinics
Sleek Migration works with GP clinics across Australia, in metropolitan and regional locations, in both DPA and non-DPA areas and across different Modified Monash Model classifications. Many of these clinics are looking for General Practitioners and are open to sponsoring overseas-trained doctors.
If you are a GP, email us at info@sleekmigration.com with:
- your CV;
- your medical qualifications and any specialist GP qualification (for example MRCGP, MICGP or FRNZCGP);
- your AMC exam results, if you are on the Standard pathway;
- your current AHPRA registration status, if any; and
- your current visa and location.
We will review your profile and, where it suits their needs, we are happy to put you in touch with potential sponsoring clinics. Job offers, interviews and sponsorship decisions are made by the clinics, and medical registration decisions are made by AHPRA and the Medical Board, not by Sleek Migration.
Information for GP clinics
If your practice needs GPs, Sleek Migration can help with Standard Business Sponsorship, nominations, 482, 186 and 494 visas, employment contracts and sponsorship compliance, and can connect you with suitable overseas-trained GPs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first exam for overseas doctors in Australia?
On the Standard pathway, the first exam is the AMC CAT MCQ exam. After passing it, you can apply for limited registration for a suitable supervised position. The second step is the AMC Clinical exam or a workplace-based assessment.
What is a PESCI?
A Pre-Employment Structured Clinical Interview assesses whether an overseas-trained doctor is ready for a specific general practice position and what level of supervision they need.
What is a DPA?
A Distribution Priority Area is a location with a shortage of GPs. Most overseas-trained doctors must work in a DPA to access Medicare billing under the 10-year moratorium.
Can a GP get permanent residency in Australia?
Yes. Many GPs move from a 482 visa to the 186 permanent visa after working for their sponsoring clinic, if they meet the requirements.
Related guides
- NDIS provider sponsorship: how to sponsor disability workers
- Meat Industry Labour Agreement for skilled meat workers
Get advice from a Registered Migration Agent
Sleek Migration is led by Dr Majid Panahandeh Fard, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2418637). We advise GP clinics and overseas-trained doctors on employer sponsorship and visas. We do not give medical registration advice; for registration, refer to AHPRA, the Medical Board of Australia, the AMC and the RACGP or ACRRM.
Contact us: 2703/31 A’Beckett Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 | info@sleekmigration.com | Book a consultation
This article is general information only and is not legal, migration or medical registration advice. Registration pathways, DPA classifications, visa requirements and income thresholds change regularly. Information checked November 2026.