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Move your GP career to Australia

Working as a GP in Australia

Australian general practice offers a broad range of ways to work. What that looks like in practice depends on the location, the practice model and the way you like to work with patients.

Billing models

  • Private billing, patients typically pay a gap above the Medicare rebate.
  • Mixed billing, a mix of private billing for some patients and bulk billing for others.
  • Bulk billing, the Medicare rebate is the full fee and there's no out-of-pocket cost to the patient.
  • Salaried or contract roles, less common in general practice, but present in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, hospital-linked clinics and some corporate models.

Practice types

  • Independent GP-owned practices
  • Group and multi-site practices
  • Corporate-owned practices
  • Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS)
  • Rural and remote practices, often with hospital work

Patient demand and load

Many Australian communities are looking for experienced GPs, but demand varies by location, practice and time of year. New GPs typically build a patient list over the first few months. A good practice will be honest about what to expect.

Working arrangements

  • Full-time and part-time sessions
  • Weekend and after-hours coverage in some practices
  • Special interests, procedural work and teaching
  • Telehealth, alongside in-person consulting

We'll help you compare opportunities based on the day-to-day reality, not just the headline percentage.

Official sources

Requirements can change and individual circumstances vary. Always confirm details with the relevant authority for your situation.

Last reviewed: January 2026

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