GP Interview Guide
Preparing for your Australian GP interview
Whether you're moving from another Australian practice or relocating from overseas, GP interviews are your opportunity to understand whether a practice is the right fit for you as much as it is for them.
This guide explains what to expect, the questions you're likely to be asked and the questions you should be asking before making one of the biggest career decisions you'll make.
A conversation, not an exam
GP interviews in Australia are generally conversational rather than highly formal. Practices want to get a sense of who you are, how you work and whether you'll be happy in their community.
It's equally your chance to decide whether the practice matches the lifestyle and career you actually want.
What most practices are trying to understand
- Clinical competence
- Communication style
- Team fit
- Long-term commitment
- Patient-centred approach
- Whether the location genuinely suits you
What happens
A typical GP interview, step by step
Every interview is a little different, but most follow a similar conversational structure.
- 1
Introductions and getting to know each other
A relaxed start, often over coffee or on video. Expect small talk about your background and what brought you to the conversation.
- 2
Discussion about your current role
Where you're working now, your patient mix and what a typical week looks like for you.
- 3
Clinical experience and interests
Your training, areas of clinical strength and any special interests such as skin, chronic disease or women's health.
- 4
Working style and patient care
How you consult, how you manage complex patients and how you like to work within a team.
- 5
Discussion about the practice and location
The practice's philosophy, the community it serves and what makes it a good place to work.
- 6
Availability and future plans
When you could start, what hours you're considering and where you see yourself in the next few years.
- 7
Your questions
Time set aside for your questions. Use it. A good practice welcomes them and answers openly.
Be ready
Questions you're likely to be asked
Tap any question to see what the interviewer is really trying to understand and how to answer with confidence.
Interview both ways
Questions you should ask the practice
Great interviews are conversations. Thoughtful questions help you work out whether the practice is right for you, not just the other way around.
The Practice
- How many GPs work here?
- What is the patient demographic?
- How busy is the practice?
- Is there an existing patient waiting list?
- How are appointments structured?
- How much autonomy do GPs have?
Clinical Support
- Are nurses available all day?
- How many treatment rooms are there?
- How are chronic disease clinics managed?
- Is allied health onsite?
Earnings
- How is billing managed?
- What percentage is offered?
- Are there guarantees?
- What are typical billings for established GPs?
- Are there any deductions?
Work and life
- Can I choose my hours?
- Are weekends required?
- Are evening clinics expected?
- How flexible is annual leave?
- How quickly can I build my patient base?
The Community
- What is the local population like?
- What schools are nearby?
- What is housing like?
- What transport options are available?
- What lifestyle opportunities are there outside work?
Red flags
Signals worth pausing on. One alone isn't a deal-breaker; a pattern usually is.
- The practice avoids answering billing questions.
- High GP turnover.
- Poor onboarding process.
- No support for new doctors.
- Pressure to see unsafe patient numbers.
- No transparency around earnings.
- Promises that seem unrealistic.
- Poor online reviews combined with frequent staff turnover.
Green flags
What the best practices tend to have in common.
- Supportive practice manager.
- Long-serving GPs.
- Transparent billing arrangements.
- Clear induction process.
- Strong nursing support.
- Flexible roster.
- Positive workplace culture.
- Reasonable consultation times.
- Commitment to ongoing education.
Before the interview
Interview tips checklist
A quick set of prompts to work through in the days before your conversation.
If you're an international doctor
Alongside the clinical conversation, practices will usually ask about your move. You don't need every step completed already, a realistic plan is what matters most.
Take it with you
Interview checklist
A one-page checklist covering preparation, documents, questions, research and follow-up. Print it, or save it as a PDF from the print dialog.
Interview preparation
- Confirm date, time and video link
- Test your camera, microphone and internet
- Choose a quiet, well-lit space
- Have a glass of water nearby
Documents to bring
- CV
- Registration and qualifications
- Visa or right-to-work documents (if relevant)
- References
Questions to ask
- Practice team and patient mix
- Billing model and earnings
- Roster, leave and flexibility
- Community, housing and schools
Things to research
- Practice website and reviews
- The local town or suburb
- Typical patient demographics
- Nearby hospitals and allied health
After the interview
- Send a short thank-you email
- Note what stood out, good and bad
- Compare against other practices
- Ask about next steps and timeframe
Frequently asked
Common questions about GP interviews
Finding the right practice is about more than getting an offer
At GP Talent Partners, we help GPs understand practices, communities and career opportunities so they can make informed decisions with confidence. Whether you're exploring your first move or your fifth, we're here to help.