The Federal Government has announced a plan to increase general practitioner numbers by improving the targeting of visas to areas experiencing experienced shortages from 1 January 2019.
As part of the plan to ensure growth in overall doctor numbers, the Australian government will aim to bring in around 2,100 overseas trained doctors per year.
According to the federal governments 2018 budget report, from 1 January 2019, the Government will set a planning target of around 2,100 overseas trained doctors per year to contribute to the continued growth in overall doctor numbers.
Visas for other specialties and for state and territory-based employment will not be affected. By aiming to manage the total number of doctors entering the system and directing them to areas of need has also made available $415.5 million over four years from 2018-19 to fund Health policy priorities. This is great news across most medical professions and therefore, no cuts have been made to visas for other medical specialties as a result.
Generally, the following skilled points tested visa sub classes will be suitable for General practitioners and other medical professionals:
We recommend the Skilled Regional 489 provisional visa; especially should you fall short of the points pass mark perhaps due to English levels or age levels. It is a temporary visa valid for 4 years and aligned to specific state governments in low population areas. Alternatively, if you have family based in these designated regional areas, they can enhance your points to meet the threshold or beyond of 60 points.
Other options for general practitioners aiming for permanent residence solutions for Australia is to take advantage of the Skilled Independent 189 or Skilled State nominated 190 visas noting that these still hold age thresholds of up to 45 years.
Key information for all doctors and medical practitioners is to ensure that they undergo a full, unconditional or general medical registration or conditional specialist registration – where this registration allows you to practice only in your specialty, with no further training or supervision requirements.
Only certificates issued by the State or Territory Medical Board or by the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) as evidence of a suitable skills assessment will be acceptable.
Why not start with our free skilled visa points tested online calculator Or email us on info@mygration.com.au
Breakdown of the program includes:
- 50% of the program i.e. 79,600 places have been attributed to Skilled type Visas. Skilled visas are aimed at improving productive capacity of the economy and fill skill shortages in the labour market, with a key target to regional Australia. The table below demonstrates the major difference of places allocated to this year’s skills program comparable with the 2019-2020 migration program
| SKILL PROGRAM | 2020-2021 | 2019-2020 |
| Employer Sponsored Visas | 22,000 | 30,000 |
| Skilled Independent | 6,500 | 18,652 |
| Regional | 11,200 | 23,000 |
| State/Territory Nominated | 11,200 | 24,968 |
| Business Innovation & Investment program | 13,500 | 6,862 |
| Global Talent | 15,000 | 5,000 |
| Distinguished Talent | 200 | 200 |
| Skill Total | 79,600 | 108,682 |
- 2% of the program i.e. 77,300 places are allocated to Family visas which a major focus on Partner visas which will enabling Australians to reunite with family members from overseas, and provide them with pathways to citizenship
- 100 places have been allowed for applicants who have special circumstances under the Special EligibilityIt is to assist permanent residents returning to Australia after being away for a long period.
- At least 3,000 Child places will be available in 2020-21
Nominations will be made available to States and Territories in line with these considerations, in the following categories:
- Skilled – Nominated (subclass 190)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491)
- Business Innovation and Investment Program
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