General - FAQ’s

Q. Why are we asking you to complete our registration form?
A. By completing the online registration form and providing us with your details we are able get back to you with a fully informed response regarding suitable positions, necessary immigration pathways and medical registration requirements.

 Q. Who will pay for my travel and accommodation?
A. All reimbursement / payment of travel and accommodation and expenses are typically negotiated on an individual basis between CM Medical and the prospective employer.

Q. How will my private information be used?
A. CM Medical abides by the federal privacy legislation. For further information please refer to the following link: hhttp://www.chandlermacleod.com/-232665/privacy-policy

Q. How will you contact me about suitable positions?
A. All candidates are contacted within 12-hours of receipt of their registration, by email and/or telephone. Following an initial ‘screening’ contact whereby we establish in detail what it is you are looking for candidates are then informed regularly regarding all suitable positions that arise via email, phone or text.

Q. Should CM Medical find me a suitable permanent position, who will my employment contract be with?
A. Once you have been offered and have formally accepted a position you will be legally employed by the sponsoring hospital/medical facility.

Australia - FAQ's

Q. How long can I work in Australia?
A. Most Medical Practitioners travel to Australia on a 457 temporary Visa, which enables them to live and work in Australia for up to 4 years provided that they are employed and sponsored by the same organisation

Q. How long is a typical employment contract?
A. Typically contracts are for between 6 and 12-months. As the visa and medical registration processes are extensive for both the candidate and employer, contracts less than 6 months are unusual. In our experience it is common for candidates to extend their initial contracted period to either continue with the same hospital, or to move to another hospital/region as part of their career/travel experience.

Q. What is the correct visa and medical registration to apply for?
A. As part of our service CM Medical will assist you through the entire application process for your visa and medical registration. Typically the application processes will take circa 3 months for approval, although it can sometimes be longer depending on the capacity of the relevant registration board or immigration department. Most doctors enter Australia under a "456 Business Visa", which entitles them to work for up to 4-years before needing to renew their visa status.

Q. What are the salaries like in Australia?
A. Salaries for doctors in the public hospital system vary from state-to-state. As a guide (based on the state health department award rates) salaries for SHO’s/RMO’s, Registrars & Consultants range from circa $65, 000 (SHO) to $350, 000 P/A. Worth noting is that the cost of living in Australia is significantly less than in the U.K, allowing you a more generous life-style for an equivalent salary.

Note: follow this handy link for calculating exchange rates - www.xe.com/ucc/

Q. Do I require medical indemnity insurance?
A. Whilst working in the public health sector and treating public patients, you will be covered by the medical indemnity insurance that is specific to the hospital and/or area health service that you will be working for

Q. Will I need medical insurance for myself personally, or will the Australian government healthcare system (Medicare) be available to me?
A. The Australian Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with a number of countries such as the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Sweden, Finland, Italy and Malta. To find out further information on the cover provided through these reciprocal agreements please visit www.hic.gov.au/yourhealth/services_for_travellers/vtta.htm

CM Medical recommends that you consider securing your own private health insurance, especially if you are not a resident of a country with a reciprocal health care agreement with the Australian Government.

For more information, please visit the following site www.immi.gov.au

There are many websites dedicated to this but to give you an idea: -

For 2 litres of milk:                                                  $3.00 AUD (approx.)

Loaf of bread:                                                           $3.00 AUD (approx.)

Schooner (3/4 of a pint) of beer in local pub:    $3.00 AUD (approx.)

MacDonald’s Big Mac:                                            $3.75 AUD (approx.)

Click here for a useful link to calculate comparative cost of living from your country to Australia.

Q. How does the Australian education system work?

A. The education system in Australia is open to all people. It offers an opportunity for all age groups and levels of ability. School is compulsory for all children aged between five and fifteen years. These ages may vary slightly in some states. The government provides public schools. Churches and other groups provide private schooling. Public schooling is free and users pay fees for private schooling. Note: Students holding temporary visas may be required to pay full school fees. Check with individual schools for details.

Q. What sort of drivers licence do I need?
A. If you are coming to Australia on a temporary visa, you can use your driving licence from your home country as long as it’s in English. If it’s not in English, you need to obtain an official translation or an international licence. If you become a permanent resident, you have 3 months to apply for an Australian licence.

New Zealand - FAQ's

Q. How long can I work in New Zealand?
A. Typically doctors travel to New Zealand on a work Visa and Permit that allows you to stay for the duration of your contract and up to a maximum of 3-years. Should you wish to stay longer in New Zealand, CM Medical will be able to provide you with this process.

Q. Will my qualifications be recognised in New Zealand?
A. New Zealand has firm requirements defining eligibility of overseas trained doctors to practice there. No quick answer covers all the scenarios; however it is worth noting that the overall process of registering as a doctor in New Zealand is probably quicker and slightly easier than in Australia.

DISCLAIMER: We have endeavoured to give you an ‘over view’ with the information above, however please note that this advice is ‘broad’ in nature and does not address your personal situation. It would be highly beneficial for you to research the MCNZ (Medical Council of New Zealand) website for more specific information pertinent to you. www.mcnz.org.nz Otherwise, call us and we will talk you through it.

Q. What are the different registration Pathways available for New Zealand?
A.The MCNZ (Medical Council of New Zealand) provides different levels of registration to cater for various primary degrees and post-graduate qualifications.

Registration pathways include:

Vocational -                     Full Specialist registration.

General -                           Full Non-Specialist registration.

Competent Authority -   Non-Specialist (provisional) registration, 2yrs.

Locum Tenens -              Short-term Specialist registration, 6mths.

Provisional General -      Non-Specialist (provisional) registration, 2yrs.

DISCLAIMER: We have endeavoured to give you an ‘over view’ with the information above, however please note that this advice is ‘broad’ in nature and does not address your personal situation. It would be highly beneficial for you to research the MCNZ (Medical Council of New Zealand) website for more specific information pertinent to you. www.mcnz.org.nz Otherwise, call us and we will talk you through it.

Q. How long is a typical employment contract?
A. Typically contracts are for between 6 and 12-months. As the visa and medical registration processes are extensive for both the candidate and employer, contracts less than 6 months are unusual. In our experience it is common for candidates to extend their initial contracted period to either continue with the same hospital, or to move to another hospital/region as part of their career/travel experience.

Q. What are the salaries like in New Zealand?
A. Salaries for doctors working in New Zealand vary based on which area health service or district hospital you end up working for. Salaries tend to be a little lower in comparison to other western countries; however the cost of living in New Zealand is lower than that of Australian, the U.K or the U.S. You can be assured of a comfortable lifestyle practising in New Zealand, with salaries ranging from circa $ 65, 000 to $250, 000 P/A.

Q. Will New Zealand’s publicly-funded healthcare services be available to me during my stay?
A. To access publicly-funded health services, you must be lawfully in New Zealand at the time of seeking services and be a holder of a work permit which:

• is a current permit that is issued for a period of two years or more, or
• is a current permit that allows you to remain in New Zealand for a period of time that, when added together with the time you've already been lawfully in New Zealand, amounts to two consecutive years or more.

New Zealand has Reciprocal Health Agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom which entitles residents of these countries to publicly funded health care for immediately necessary medical treatment only during their stay in New Zealand.

We recommend that you apply for comprehensive health insurance for the duration of your stay in New Zealand.

Q. Am I required to conduct English Language testing if I wish to work in New Zealand?
A. There is an English language requirement if your native language is not English, that the MCNZ (Medical Council of New Zealand) requires. This is satisfied if you have studied and lived in Australia, Ireland, the UK or the USA.

You will also be exempt form sitting an English language test if you have practiced as a doctor in an English speaking country (unfortunately South Africa is not included) for a minimum of 2-years and in combination with 2 positive references specifically with regards your English language proficiency.

If you do not meet the requirements above, you will need to sit IELTS (International English Language Test) and gain a minimum score of 7 in each module and an overall average of 7.5 across all modules.

Q. What Indemnity cover is required to practice medicine in New Zealand?
A. The hospital that you end up working for in NZ, will provide you with indemnity cover. However it is likely to only be ‘partial’ cover and you may well want to secure your own insurance to be completely covered. We encourage to consider taking out ‘Tail’ cover, to address any cases that emerge after you have finished your contract.

Q. Will accommodation and relocation expenses be met by the hospital that I work for in New Zealand?
A. It is often the case the hospital you end up working for, will assist you with accommodation and relocation expenses. Please note that this is negotiated on an individual and case-by-case basis, conditions and details will need to be confirmed at the time

Q. What level of tax should I expect to pay in New Zealand?
A. As a good basic guide, please find the following table taken from the NZ inland revenue website.