Australia is one of the most popular destinations for international students who want to pursue medical studies. According to the latest data from the Australian Government, more than 17,000 international students were enrolled in health-related courses in 2022, an increase of 8.4% from the previous year. The reasons for choosing the country for medical education are manifold: high-quality teaching and research, multicultural and friendly environment, world-class facilities and infrastructure, and attractive migration options and job opportunities after medical studies in Australia.
The demand for medical practitioners in Australia is also high, as the country faces a shortage of doctors and nurses due to an aging population, a growing burden of chronic diseases, and a geographic maldistribution of the health workforce. The Australian Government has implemented various policies and initiatives to address these challenges, such as increasing the number of medical school places, providing incentives and support for rural and remote practice, and facilitating the recognition and registration of overseas-trained doctors.
As a result, international medical graduates who complete their studies in Australia have a fertile environment to find lucrative employment opportunities there. They can apply for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which allows them to stay and work in Australia for up to four years after completing their studies. They can also seek permanent residency through the General Skilled Migration program, which awards points for age, English language proficiency, work experience, and qualifications. Moreover, they can benefit from the strong demand and high remuneration for medical professionals in Australia, which are among the highest in the world. As such there are ample opportunities for medical professionals to find meaningful and rewarding employment in Australia.
In this article, we will look at some of the best job opportunities after medical studies in Australia.
Job Opportunities After Medical Studies in Australia: Medical Doctor
One of the main options is to work as a medical practitioner in a private or hospital setup. Working as a medical doctor in Australia after completing medical studies in Australia as an international student is a complex and lengthy process that requires careful planning and preparation. After completing a medical degree in Australia, graduates need to register with the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) and complete a one-year internship in an accredited hospital or health service. The internship is a supervised training program that involves rotating through different medical specialties, such as medicine, surgery, emergency, and general practice. The internship aims to consolidate the knowledge and skills of the graduates and prepare them for independent practice. After completing the internship, graduates can apply for general registration with the MBA and pursue further training and specialization in their chosen field of medicine. There are various medical specialties in Australia, such as anesthesia, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatrics, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pediatrics, psychiatry, radiology, and surgery. Each specialty has its own training program and assessment process, which is overseen by a specialist medical college, such as the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, or the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
Medical practitioners can work in various sectors such as:
Government jobs: Medical graduates and doctors can work in various government departments and agencies, such as the Department of Health, Veterans Affairs, the Australian Defence Force, or the Therapeutic Goods Administration. They can also work in public health services, such as health promotion, disease prevention, epidemiology, or health policy.
Private sector: Medical graduates and doctors can work in various private sector organizations, such as hospitals, clinics, laboratories, research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, or medical device companies. They can also work as consultants, advisors, or managers in various fields, such as health administration, health economics, health informatics, or health education.
Self-employment: Medical graduates and doctors can work as self-employed practitioners, either in solo or group practice. They can also work as locum doctors, who provide temporary or short-term services in different locations. They can also work as medical tourists, who travel to other countries to provide or receive medical services.
Volunteering: Medical graduates and doctors can volunteer their time and skills to help others in need, either locally or internationally. For example, they can join a humanitarian organization, such as Doctors Without Borders, the Red Cross, or UNICEF, and provide medical assistance to people affected by conflicts, disasters, or poverty. Volunteering can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience that can also enhance the personal and professional development of medical graduates and doctors.
Medical doctors in Australia are well-compensated professionals who can earn different salaries depending on their specialty, location, experience, and workplace. According to Indeed, the national average salary for a general practitioner (GP) is 147,058 AUD. However, some specialties require more training and expertise and can pay higher wages. For example, a neurosurgeon can earn an average of 877,857 AUD per year, while a cardiologist can make 688,781 AUD per year. The location of the doctor can also affect their income, as some states or regions may have higher or lower demand for certain services. Additionally, the level of experience and the type of workplace can influence the doctor’s salary. Doctors who work in private practice or have more years of practice may earn more than those who work in public hospitals or are new to the field.
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Job Opportunities After Medical Studies in Australia: Post-Graduate Study Pathways
Further study is one of the opportunities that medical graduates can pursue after studying medicine in Australia. Further study can enhance their knowledge and skills, or allow them to specialize in a specific area of medicine. There are various options for further study, such as:
Master’s or PhD program: Medical graduates can enroll in a Master’s or PhD program in a related field of study, such as biomedical science, public health, health administration, or health informatics. A postgraduate program can provide advanced theoretical and practical training, as well as opportunities for research and innovation. Such a program can also increase the academic and professional credentials of medical graduates, and open up more career opportunities in academia, industry, or government. They usually require two to four years of full-time study, depending on the field and the level of the degree. Some of the common fields of specialization are surgery, pathology, radiology, psychiatry, public health, emergency medicine, anesthesia, and pediatrics.
Postgraduate diploma or certificate: Medical graduates can enroll in a postgraduate diploma or certificate in a related field of study, such as clinical education, health economics, health law, or health ethics. A postgraduate diploma or certificate can provide specialized knowledge and skills, as well as opportunities for professional development and networking. A postgraduate diploma or certificate can also enhance the career prospects and employability of medical graduates, and enable them to pursue further study or specialization. A postgraduate diploma or certificate usually requires one to two years of part-time or full-time study, depending on the field and the level of the qualification.
Fellowship or residency program: Medical graduates can enroll in a fellowship or residency program in a specific area of medicine, such as anesthesia, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatrics, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, psychiatry, radiology, or surgery. A fellowship or residency program can provide comprehensive clinical training and supervision, as well as opportunities for assessment and accreditation. A fellowship or residency program can also lead to specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia and membership in a specialist medical college, such as the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, or the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. A fellowship or residency program usually requires three to six years of full-time study, depending on the specialty and the level of the program. Some medical colleges may also require medical graduates to have general registration, a minimum GPA, an entrance exam, or a portfolio for admission.
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Job Opportunities After Medical Studies in Australia: Medical Research
Medical research in Australia covers a wide range of topics, from basic science to clinical trials, and from public health to health policy. Medical research in Australia is supported by various funding sources, such as the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), and the Australian Research Council (ARC). These funding bodies provide grants, fellowships, scholarships, and awards for medical researchers at different stages of their careers. To pursue medical research after medical studies in Australia, one can choose from several pathways, depending on their interests and goals. Some of the common pathways are:
PhD: A PhD is a research degree that involves conducting original and independent research on a specific topic, under the supervision of an expert in the field. A Ph.D. usually takes 3 to 4 years to complete and requires a high level of academic achievement and research skills. A PhD can lead to a career as a researcher, academic, or consultant in universities, research institutes, hospitals, or industry. To apply for a PhD, one needs to have a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in a relevant discipline, and a strong research proposal. Some PhD programs may also require a minimum level of research experience, publications, or coursework. A PhD can be funded by scholarships, stipends, or external grants.
MD-PhD: An MD-PhD is a dual degree program that combines medical studies and research training. An MD-PhD usually takes 7 to 8 years to complete and involves completing the MBBS/MD curriculum, as well as a PhD project. An MD-PhD can prepare graduates for a career as a clinician-scientist, who can bridge the gap between basic research and clinical practice. An MD-PhD can also open up opportunities for leadership roles in academia, government, or industry. To apply for an MD-PhD, one needs to have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline and meet the admission requirements for both the MBBS/MD and the PhD programs. An MD-PhD can be funded by scholarships, stipends, or external grants.
Postdoctoral fellowship: A postdoctoral fellowship is a research position that follows the completion of a PhD. A postdoctoral fellowship usually lasts 2 to 3 years and involves working on a specific research project, under the guidance of a senior researcher or a mentor. A postdoctoral fellowship can help graduates to develop their research skills, expand their network, and advance their career prospects. A postdoctoral fellowship can also lead to a permanent position as a researcher, academic, or consultant in universities, research institutes, hospitals, or industry. To apply for a postdoctoral fellowship, one needs to have a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline and a strong track record of research achievements and publications. A postdoctoral fellowship can be funded by scholarships, stipends, or external grants.
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Other Career Options
Medical teacher or professor: Medical graduates can also teach various subjects related to medicine, such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, etc. They can mentor and supervise students, conduct assessments, and contribute to curriculum development. To become a medical teacher or professor, you need to have a postgraduate qualification in education, such as a Master of Education or a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education. You also need to have some teaching experience and a good academic record. According to the Australian Government Job Outlook, the average annual salary for university lecturers and tutors in health was 180,083 AUD in 2020.
Medical writing/journalism: Medical graduates can also consider becoming medical writers or journalists. They can write for various audiences and purposes, such as scientific journals, magazines, newspapers, websites, blogs, podcasts, etc. They can also specialize in a specific field of medicine, such as oncology, cardiology, neurology, etc. They can work as a freelancer, or join a media organization, a publishing company, a pharmaceutical company, or a research institution. To become a medical writer or journalist, you may need to have a degree or diploma in journalism, communication, or a related field. You may also need to have some writing samples and a portfolio of your work. The average annual salary for journalists and writers is 124,458 AUD.
Entrepreneur: You can also start your own business, or join a startup, that offers a product or a service that solves a problem or meets a need in the healthcare sector. You can also collaborate with other professionals, such as engineers, designers, developers, etc., to bring your idea to life. You can work on various aspects of your business, such as product development, marketing, sales, finance, etc. To become an entrepreneur, you may need to have a business plan, market research, a funding source, and a network of contacts. You may also need to have some entrepreneurial skills, such as creativity, innovation, leadership, risk-taking, etc. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were 2.4 million actively trading businesses in Australia as of June 2020, and 15.6% of them were in the health care and social assistance industry.
Pharmaceutical researcher: If you want to develop new drugs or improve existing ones, you can consider becoming a pharmaceutical researcher. You can perform various tasks, such as synthesizing, purifying, and testing new compounds, screening and evaluating potential drug candidates, optimizing drug formulations and delivery systems, and studying the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs. You can work in various settings, such as pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, universities, or research institutes. To become a pharmaceutical researcher, you may need to have a postgraduate qualification in pharmaceutical sciences, such as a Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences or a Graduate Certificate in Pharmaceutical Sciences. You may also need to have some research experience and a good knowledge of chemistry, biology, and pharmacology.
Suggested Reading: Study Medicine in Australia
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are ample job opportunities after medical studies in Australia. As such, before pursuing medical education in Australia, one should consider all the job options and pathways that are available to them. Medical education is a long and demanding process that requires a lot of dedication, hard work, and investment. Therefore, one should have a clear vision of what they want to achieve, and how they want to do it. There are different types of medical careers in Australia, such as general practitioners, specialists, surgeons, researchers, educators, and administrators. Each of these careers has its advantages and disadvantages, as well as different requirements and challenges. One should explore all the possibilities and compare them with their interests, skills, values, and goals. Moreover, one should also plan out their career in advance, taking into account factors such as the demand and supply of the medical workforce, the competition and opportunities in the market, the location and lifestyle preferences, and personal and professional development. A well-planned career can help one to achieve their full potential and satisfaction in the medical field. For more information and assistance regarding the same, contact our admission experts at OneApply. Book your free video call appointment now!
