OTD - Overseas Trained Doctors
Overseas Trained Doctors
This information is provided for Overseas Trained Doctors (OTD) seeking information about working as a medical practitioner in Australia.
OTDs are non-Australian and NZ graduates.
All doctors wishing to work in Australia must be registered through the Australian Medical Council (AMC). In order to gain registration doctors must:
- Satisfy all immigration requirements
- Pass an English examination (exemptions are granted in some cases)
- Demonstrate good character
- Demonstrate good health
- Pass the Australian Medical Council (AMC) examination
- Obtain registration from the relevant state medical board
- Obtain a Medicare Provider Number (if wishing to work outside of the public health system)
Visa Information
Temporary Medical Practitioner
Web: www.immi.gov.au/
The information in this area is about the Temporary Medical Practitioner visa and includes procedures on how to sponsor someone and how to apply.
Registration Information
Australian Medical Council
Web: www.amc.org.au
The Australian Medical Council administers the national examinations of overseas trained medical practitioners seeking to practise in Australia. The AMC has various categories for registration:
Overseas Trained Specialists (OTS) Assessment Process
This enables Overseas Trained Specialists (OTS) to have their qualifications assessed for recognition and and registration.
Area of Need Practitioners (AON)
The Area of Need (AON) process caters for private and public health services experiencing difficulty attracting candidates to fill essential positions.
Occupational Training Visas (OTVs)
These may be obtained from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMIA) and allow overseas trained doctors to fill short-term training positions for up to two years.
Overseas Trained Subspecialists (OTSS)
Doctors who have been assessed as eligible for Fellowship (via the OTS process), and who hold a recognised subspecialist qualification from a recognised College or national certifying body can apply for OTSS recognition.
Medicare Provider Number Information
Temporary Resident Medical Practitioners are granted provider numbers under certain circumstances. Those doctors working in an Area of Need (AON) position can access a provider number under the 19AB exemption of the Health Insurance Act.
Medicare Provider Number
Web: www.hic.gov.au/
A Medicare Provider Number is needed in order to claim medical rebates. The Health Insurance Commission (HIC) allocates Medicare Provider and prescriber numbers to medical practitioners, to enable them to participate in the Medicare Program. OTDs must get exemptions from restrictions in the Health Insurance Act to allow them to work in private practice and gain a provider number.
Advice to Medical Practitioners - Medicare Provider Number
Web: www.health.gov.au/
Provider Number Restrictions
Web: www.nswrdn.com.au/
Australian Income Tax
The Australian taxation system is administered by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO, www.ato.gov.au). Overseas based locums should apply for an Australian Tax File Number (TFN). A TFN is issued by the ATO and is easiest to obtain after arrival in Australia. Applying for a TFN is not mandatory but if you work in Australia without one you may end up paying more tax. A Tax File Number can be applied for on-line.
Tax rates are available on the ATO website. The top tax rate for 2004-05 is 47cents for each $1 earned over $70,000. While the top tax rate is the same for residents and non-residents, the thresholds for the lower tax bands are advantageous for residents versus non-residents. Non-residents can expect to pay between $4-6000 more tax than a resident earning the same amount.
The exact difference depends on amount earned and can be calculated using the ATO website rates. The ATO site has a questionnaire to help determine whether you are a resident.
Anyone working in Australia for 183 days would normally be considered as a resident for tax purposes. Many people who are intending to work for shorter periods will also have the option of declaring themselves residents.
For tax reasons you should declare yourself a resident for tax purposes if possible.
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