DXC Medical’s International GP Recruitment service is built on more than a decade of experience. Our dedicated team provides end-to-end support, helping International Medical Graduates (IMGs) choose the ideal location, secure a competitive package, navigate the correct medical registration pathway, obtain visa nomination, and settle into their new Australian life.
To date, we have successfully supported doctors from the UK, Ireland, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Germany, Pakistan, Netherlands, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, making international transitions smooth and stress-free. Read firsthand experiences of how we have supported doctors make the move to Australia through our GP Journeys.
The complexities of International GP Recruitment, for both the candidate and the practice, can be daunting, confusing, and time-consuming. This is exactly why we developed ADMIN+. Acting as your dedicated project manager, we take care of the paperwork, liaise with regulatory bodies, coordinate timelines, and keep the process moving from start to finish. The result? Less stress, reduced risk, and your new GP is ready to start sooner, allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional patient care.
If you’re a practice or candidate who needs help navigating the documentation, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can also read more about our ADMIN+ Service here.
Australia is widely regarded as one of the best countries to live in, and for good reason. With its high standard of living, quality healthcare and education systems, and a stable economy, Australia offers a lifestyle that many people around the world aspire to. Whether you’re settling down with a family, pursuing a career, or looking for a peaceful place to retire, Australia provides the perfect balance between work and leisure.
One of the country’s biggest drawcards is its natural beauty. From pristine beaches and tropical rainforests to rugged outback landscapes and world-class national parks, Australia’s environment encourages an active, outdoor lifestyle. Cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth consistently rank among the world’s most liveable, offering a blend of modern infrastructure, cultural diversity, and easy access to nature.
Australia is also known for its inclusive, multicultural society. People from all over the world have made Australia home, creating vibrant communities with a rich mix of cultures, cuisines, and traditions. This welcoming atmosphere, along with strong protections for personal freedoms and equal rights, makes it easy for newcomers to feel at home and build a future here.
From its relaxed lifestyle to its excellent public services and global opportunities, Australia offers a safe, clean, and fulfilling environment to live, work, and thrive. Whether you're after career growth, a better quality of life, or a place to raise a family, Australia is a country where you can truly build the life you want.
Explore more here. 
International medical graduates whose medical qualifications are from a medical institution outside of Australia or New Zealand, and who are seeking registration to practice medicine in Australia, must provide evidence of eligibility to undertake one of the following assessment pathways:
The Specialist pathwayis for overseas-trained specialist GPs who wish to be assessed for comparability to the standard of an Australian-trained specialist GP.
Australia is the only country in the world with two GP colleges. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural & Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
Both colleges have a Specialist Pathway that recognises different international qualifications, so it is important to check the codified lists of both colleges to see if either or both recognise your qualification.
RACGP codified list ACRRM codified list
ACRRM require international GPs on their Specialist Pathway to work in a DPA / MMM4-7 location.
The RACGP require international GPs on their Specialist Pathway to work in a DPA / 1-7 location for substantially comparable GPs and a DPA / MMM2-7 location for partially comparable GPs.
Substantially Comparability = 12 month duration and no exams
IMGs who are recognised as being substantially comparable on either of the two specialist pathways are eligible to apply for fellowship (FACRRM or FRACGP) after 12 months of full-time work. Once achieved, doctors can then apply for vocational registration.
Partial Comparability = 24 month duration plus college exams
IMGs who are recognised as being partially comparable on either of the two specialist pathways are eligible to apply for fellowship (FACRRM or FRACGP) after they have completed 24 months of full-time work and passed the respective college exams. Once achieved, doctors can then apply for vocational registration.
Distribution Priority Area (DPA)
The Distribution Priority Area (DPA) classification identifies locations in Australia with a shortage of medical practitioners.
International medical graduates are required to work in a DPA location for up to 10 years as part of the 10-year moratorium.
Modified Monash Model (MMM)
The Modified Monash Model (MMM) is how the Department of Health define whether a location is a city, rural, remote or very remote. The model measures remoteness and population size on a scale of Modified Monash (MM) category MM1 (major city) to MM7 (very remote).
Government accredited GP training programs use the model to define where a GP in training must work.
Job Search
To view the latest jobs eligible for the Specialist Pathway, click HERE and select ‘RACGP PEP Specialist Stream and/or ACRRM Specialist Pathway
The Competent Authority Pathway (CAP)is intended for overseas-trained non-specialists, but it is also available to specialists, including general practitioners. It is a pathway to general registration and does not result directly in recognition or registration as a specialist in Australia.
The CAP recognises 5 ‘competent authorities.
Category A & B United Kingdom: General Medical Council (GMC)
Category C Canada: Medical Council of Canada (LMCC)
Category D United States: Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
Category E New Zealand: Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ)
General Practitioners on the Competent Authority Pathway are required to sit and pass a Pre-Employment Screening Clinical Interview (PESCI) prior to applying for provisional medical registration with AHPRA. This pathway allows a GP to apply for general registration after a period of 12 months full-time work in Australia.
The pre-employment structured clinical interview (PESCI) is a fitness-for-task assessment and interview conducted by a panel of assessors, intended specifically for non-specialist International Medical Graduates (IMGs) applying for registration in Australia via the Standard or Competent Authority pathways.
You will require a job offer before being able to apply for a PESCI from any of the three accredited PESCI providers (RACGP, ACRRM or the Institute of Medical Education)
The Standard pathway is for IMGs who are not eligible for the Competent Authority pathway or the Specialist pathway.
IMGs who have a primary qualification in medicine and surgery awarded by a training institution recognised by both the Australian Medical Council and the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) can apply for assessment under this pathway.
As with the Competent Authority Pathway, IMGs are required to sit and pass a Pre-Employment Screening Clinical Interview (PESCI) prior to apply for medical registration with AHPRA. Unlike the CAP, IMGs apply for Limited Registration with AHPRA.
The pre-employment structured clinical interview (PESCI) is a fitness-for-task assessment and interview conducted by a panel of assessors, intended specifically for non-specialist International Medical Graduates (IMGs) applying for registration in Australia via the Standard or Competent Authority pathways.
IMGs eligible for the Standard Pathway are required to pass the Australian Medical Council (AMC) Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) exam, also known as the AMC Part 1, and an approved English Test (OET, IELTS or PTE), prior to applying for a job in Australia.
There are three common restrictions for working within general practice:
IMGs working in Australia face restrictions under Section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973, commonly known as the "10-year moratorium". This restriction limits where IMGs can work to access Medicare benefits, typically requiring them to practice in Distribution Priority Areas (DPAs) (for GPs) or Districts of Workforce Shortage (DWS) (for non-GP specialists) for a period of up to 10 years from the date of their initial Australian medical registration.
IMGs can potentially reduce the length of their moratorium by working in more remote locations, earning scaling credits. The more remote the location, the more scaling credits are applied.
Several exemptions to the 19AB restrictions exist, allowing IMGs to work in non-DPA/DWS locations. These include exemptions based on spousal employment, after-hours work, or academic appointments.
Section 19AA of the Health Insurance Act 1973 restricts access to Medicare benefits for doctors who are Australian citizens or permanent residents but not yet recognized as specialists, particularly General Practitioners. To bypass this restriction and claim Medicare benefits, these doctors, including IMGs, must be enrolled in an approved section 3GA training program working towards specialist registration.
The Area of Need (AoN) program in Australia allows healthcare facilities in specific locations to employ IMGs when they cannot find suitable Australian-trained doctors. These locations, often rural, regional, or remote, are designated as areas where there's a recognised shortage of medical professionals. AoN positions are typically for General Practitioners (GPs) or non-GP specialists.
IMGs on the Competent Authority or Standard pathway who are applying for provisional or limited registration to work in general practice are required to have a PESCI.
Specialist IMGs on the Specialist pathway do not require a PESCI because they are assessed by the relevant specialist medical college. Specialist IMGs on the Expedited Specialist pathway do not need a PESCI.
All IMGs who are granted limited registration or provisional registration must be supervised. Supervision remains a requirement of registration for the duration of the IMG’s limited or provisional registration.
If you are a specialist international medical graduate (SIMG) on the Expedited Specialist pathway refer to: Supervised practice framework for medical practitioners or Expedited Specialist pathway for information about your supervision requirements.
IMGs have several visa options available to them, including arriving as a temporary or permanent resident. It is most common for doctors to arrive as temporary residents, as this is significantly quicker and cheaper than applying for permanent residency from outside of Australia.
We provide you with approved migration agents that specialise working with medical practitioners and their families. These agents provide a free consultation and offer a subsidised rate for applicants referred by DXC Medical.
You’ll hear a lot about DPA classification when you’re a GP applying to work in Australia. The Distribution Priority Area (DPA) classification identifies locations in Australia with a shortage of general practitioner (GP) services. IMGs must work in a DPA to be eligible to access Medicare. This classification is updated every year if there are changes in the workforce, or in the size or composition of the population.
The District of Workforce Shortage (DWS) classification is a health workforce classification for specialist medical practitioners. Overseas trained graduate specialists subject to section 19AB of Australia’s Health Insurance Act 1973 may need to work in a location classified DWS to access Medicare. DWS locations are usually in regional and remote areas on the country. They are updated annually.
The Area of Need (AoN) program in Australia allows healthcare facilities in specific locations to employ IMGs when they cannot find suitable Australian-trained doctors. These locations, often rural, regional, or remote, are designated as areas where there's a recognised shortage of medical professionals. AoN positions are typically for General Practitioners (GPs) or non-GP specialists.
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