Visa Categories by Nationality
High-level overview of visa categories that may be available in principle by passport type.
How visas relate to medical pathways
Medical registration, Medicare access, and visas are regulated under separate frameworks. A doctor's registration pathway and Medicare status affect how and where they can work. This can influence which visa categories are discussed with employers or migration professionals, but visa eligibility is assessed separately under migration law.
| Visa Category | NZ | UK | Ireland | USA | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Work Rights No visa required | ✓ Special Category Visa (444) on arrival | — | — | — | — |
| Working Holiday visa (417) ↗ Temporary, up to age 35 | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Work and Holiday visa (462) ↗ Temporary, up to age 31 | — | — | — | ✓ | — |
| Employer Sponsored visas ↗ Requires job offer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Employer Sponsored Regional visas ↗ Regional job offer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skilled Independent visas ↗ Points-based, no sponsor | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| State Nominated visas ↗ Points-based + state nomination | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Availability does not indicate eligibility. Each visa has additional requirements relating to skills, registration, employment, health, and character.
Factors that commonly influence visa discussions
Visa categories discussed by doctors often depend on a combination of factors, including:
- current level of medical registration
- supervision requirements
- employment structure (employed vs independent)
- location of work (metropolitan vs regional)
- Medicare access and moratorium considerations
- whether an employer is willing to sponsor
These factors vary between individuals and over time. This table shows visa availability by nationality only and does not assess suitability or eligibility.
Note: Visa requirements and processing times change frequently. Always verify current information with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent.
Working Rights by Registration Stage
What doctors can typically do at each stage of AHPRA registration.
Pre-registration
Cannot practice medicine
Not applicable
N/A
May work in non-clinical roles subject to work rights
Limited Registration
Supervised practice as defined by Board conditions
GP training: under supervisor's provider number. Workforce: own provider number for MP items (52-65) via Area of Need + 19AB
Direct supervision required
Scope defined by individual registration conditions. Workforce track remains on Limited Registration; GP training track progresses to Provisional/General.
Provisional Registration
Supervised practice with broader scope
Own provider number (s19AB restrictions apply)
Indirect or general supervision
6-12 months supervised practice typically required
General Registration
Unrestricted medical practice
Own provider number (s19AB still applies for 10 years)
None required
s19AB moratorium continues until 10 years from first billing
Specialist Registration
Practice within approved specialty
Own provider number (specialists exempt from s19AB)
None required
Must practice within approved specialty scope
Individual registration conditions vary. Confirm your specific conditions with AHPRA.
Australian Working Rights Required: Registration does not itself grant work rights. Non-citizens must hold Australian working rights to practise, subject to migration law.
GP Items vs MP Items
Medicare billing item numbers differ based on registration type and training level.
GP Items (23, 36, 44 series)
- For vocationally registered GPs
- Higher Medicare rebate
- Requires RACGP/ACRRM fellowship or equivalent
- Available after General Registration
MP Items (52-65 series)
- For non-vocationally registered practitioners
- Lower Medicare rebate
- Available with Limited or General Registration
- Used by workforce/service delivery doctors
19AB and after-hours: The after-hours exemption applies to both GP and MP items, but the item numbers and rebate amounts differ. Workforce doctors on Limited Registration access MP items through 19AB, while GP-track doctors access GP items.
Timing nuance: The 19AB after-hours exemption window (when you can bill Medicare) is not the same as MBS after-hours loading periods (when items attract higher rebates). There can be periods where Medicare access exists but after-hours loading does not apply, or vice versa. Confirm specific billing windows with Services Australia.
Earning vs training: After-hours work lets you earn income via Medicare billing, but it does not count toward GP fellowship training hours. RACGP requires minimum 14.5 daytime hours/week at an approved training practice (Standards 4th Ed). IMGs seeking both income and training may consider a split arrangement — after-hours income at a metro practice, daytime training at a rural DPA practice.
See How This Applies to Your Pathway
Explore the Pathway Explorer to see registration steps, timelines, and how working rights connect to each stage.
Related guides
This estimate is indicative only. Individual circumstances vary. Confirm with official sources before acting.