Visa Options

Most overseas doctors begin their journey to Australia on a Skills in Demand visa (482), allowing them to start working quickly while progressing toward permanent residency.

Permanent residency can then be achieved through several pathways, including the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (Temporary Residence Transition or Direct Entry) or the 189 Skilled Independent visa, depending on experience, location, income, age, and long-term goals.

The 482 → 186 (TRT) pathway is the most common and reliable option, offering clear eligibility criteria and employer support, while 186 Direct Entry and 189 Skilled Independent pathways provide alternatives for doctors who meet higher registration, skills, and timing requirements.

Choosing the right pathway depends on registration status, timeframe to commence work, age limits, and whether employer sponsorship or independent residency is preferred, and many doctors combine pathways to maximise flexibility and certainty.

Permanent Residency

Most Common Pathway taken by General Practitioners immigrating to Australia

1. Starting Point: Skills in Demand Visa (482)

The most common visa for Medical Practitioners moving to Australia to hold initially is a temporary visa. These are quicker and easier to get granted from offshore compared to permanent visas and allows the practitioners to start working in Australia whilst then pursuing the permanent visa options for doctors.

Prerequisites

AHPRA Registration
Must work primarily for the sponsor employer

*There is no age limit for this visa

2. Permanent Residency Via 186 visa (Transitional Stream)

Prerequisites

Work at least 2-3 years on a 482 visa
Be employed full-time in the same occupation (General Practitioner)

Exemptions to age limit of 45 apply:

Doctors on a 457/482 visa earning above the High Income Threshold for 3 years
Doctors on a 457/482 visa who worked in a regional area for at least 2 of the last 3 years qualify for the 186/187 TRT stream.

1. Permanent Residency via 186 visa (Direct Entry Stream)

The 186 Direct Entry stream allows Medical Practitioners to obtain permanent residency without first working in Australia on a 482 visa, provided they meet skills, experience, and registration requirements.

Prerequisites

AHPRA Registration (or eligibility)
At least 3 years of relevant post-qualification experience
Employer nomination for the General Practitioner role
Full-time position in the nominated occupation

Exemptions to age limit of 45 apply:

Doctors on a 457/482 visa earning above the High Income Threshold for 3 years
Doctors on a 457/482 visa who worked in a regional area for at least 2 of the last 3 years qualify for the 186/187 TRT stream.

2. Important Timing Considerations

Doctors can only apply for the 186 Direct Entry visa after obtaining Specialist AHPRA registration, which typically takes around 6 months.

This extends the usual ~6-month timeline to start work in Australia to about 12 months, making it difficult to find a practice willing to wait.

Alternative: Many doctors enter Australia on a 482 visa, start working sooner, and apply for 186 Direct Entry once already employed.

1. Permanent Residency via 186 visa (Direct Entry Stream)

This 189 visa allows you to live, work and study in Australia permanently. It is a points-tested visa. The minimum score to apply is 65 points. However, based on previous invitation rounds, you would need to achieve a higher score to have a better chance of obtaining an invitation.

Prerequisites

Points test: Must score at least 65 points (competitive invitations apply)
Age: Must be under 45 at time of invitation (no age limit for the 189 NZ stream)
EOI & Invitation: Must lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) and receive an invitation

2. Key Considerations

Invitation timing is uncertain and highly competitive
Most doctors continue working on a 482 visa with the 186 in sight, while waiting for a 189 invitation

GP Link is not a registered migration agent and cannot provide direct migration advice. This information has been sourced from migration specialists and we recommend consulting with our partner migration agent about your individual circumstances.

GP Link recommended migration service is Pace Migration

Sydney Migration Agent - Pace Migration and Education Consultancy Australia.png

If you’re a general practitioner looking for work in Australia, GP Link can help.

We help general practitioners find the best GP jobs in Australia as well as provide resources on GP work requirements and processes.

Get Started

Permanent Residency

Most Common Pathway taken by General Practitioners immigrating to Australia

1. Starting Point: Skills in Demand Visa (482)

The most common visa for Medical Practitioners moving to Australia to hold initially is a temporary visa. These are quicker and easier to get granted from offshore compared to permanent visas and allows the practitioners to start working in Australia whilst then pursuing the permanent visa options for doctors.

Prerequisites

AHPRA Registration
Must work primarily for the sponsor employer

*There is no age limit for this visa

2. Permanent Residency Via 186 visa (Transitional Stream)

Prerequisites

Work at least 2-3 years on a 482 visa
Be employed full-time in the same occupation (General Practitioner)

Exemptions to age limit of 45 apply:

Doctors on a 457/482 visa earning above the High Income Threshold for 3 years
Doctors on a 457/482 visa who worked in a regional area for at least 2 of the last 3 years qualify for the 186/187 TRT stream.

1. Permanent Residency via 186 visa (Direct Entry Stream)

The 186 Direct Entry stream allows Medical Practitioners to obtain permanent residency without first working in Australia on a 482 visa, provided they meet skills, experience, and registration requirements.

Prerequisites

AHPRA Registration (or eligibility)
At least 3 years of relevant post-qualification experience
Employer nomination for the General Practitioner role
Full-time position in the nominated occupation

Exemptions to age limit of 45 apply:

Doctors on a 457/482 visa earning above the High Income Threshold for 3 years
Doctors on a 457/482 visa who worked in a regional area for at least 2 of the last 3 years qualify for the 186/187 TRT stream.

2. Important Timing Considerations

Doctors can only apply for the 186 Direct Entry visa after obtaining Specialist AHPRA registration, which typically takes around 6 months.

This extends the usual ~6-month timeline to start work in Australia to about 12 months, making it difficult to find a practice willing to wait.

Alternative: Many doctors enter Australia on a 482 visa, start working sooner, and apply for 186 Direct Entry once already employed.

1. Permanent Residency via 186 visa (Direct Entry Stream)

This 189 visa allows you to live, work and study in Australia permanently. It is a points-tested visa. The minimum score to apply is 65 points. However, based on previous invitation rounds, you would need to achieve a higher score to have a better chance of obtaining an invitation.

Prerequisites

Points test: Must score at least 65 points (competitive invitations apply)
Age: Must be under 45 at time of invitation (no age limit for the 189 NZ stream)
EOI & Invitation: Must lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) and receive an invitation

2. Key Considerations

Invitation timing is uncertain and highly competitive
Most doctors continue working on a 482 visa with the 186 in sight, while waiting for a 189 invitation

GP Link is not a registered migration agent and cannot provide direct migration advice.

This information has been sourced from migration specialists and we recommend consulting with our partner migration agent about your individual circumstances.

GP Link recommended migration service is Pace Migration

If you’re a general practitioner looking for work in Australia, GP Link can help.

We help general practitioners find the best GP jobs in Australia as well as provide resources on GP work requirements and processes.

Get Started