Ireland
Irish GPs moving to Australia
Ireland and Australia have a long, well-worn path between them. Irish GPs tend to settle here quickly, partly because the training translates well and partly because the culture is familiar.
Registration
Australian medical registration runs through Ahpra and the Medical Board of Australia, with specialist recognition in general practice assessed by the RACGP or ACRRM. Doctors holding MICGP with Irish Medical Council specialist registration are generally well regarded, and comparability arrangements for doctors from similar health systems have been broadening. Criteria and timelines do change, so please verify your own position directly with Ahpra and the college rather than relying on a summary.
Visas
Most Irish GPs arrive on an employer sponsored or skilled visa, and younger doctors sometimes use a working holiday route first. Settings are decided by the Department of Home Affairs and are reviewed regularly. See our visa overview, and speak with a registered migration agent about your own case.
What the work feels like
General practice here is largely private, fee-for-service and Medicare-funded. You bill rather than earn a salary, appointments are typically longer than in Irish public settings, and you keep your own list. The practical differences are set out in working as a GP in Australia and how GP earnings work.
Choosing where to land
Australia is enormous, and the difference between coastal Queensland and inner Melbourne is bigger than most people expect. If you are subject to Medicare provider number restrictions, that will narrow the list too. Start with the GP Lifestyle Match and the DPA explainer.
Thinking about Australia from Ireland?
Tell us where you are up to. We will give you a straight read on what is realistic and how long it usually takes.
Talk it through
Tell us where to reach you and we will come back to you personally. No pressure, no obligation.