🇦🇺 Australia → UK
Work in the UK
from Australia.
Australia and the UK have one of the strongest two-way flows of healthcare staff anywhere. Australian-trained professionals are usually exempt from IELTS and OET, can use the under-35 Youth Mobility Scheme, and — for doctors — have an extra GMC route that US and Canadian doctors no longer do.
Overview
Your move from Australia to a UK healthcare career.
Australia and the UK have long shared healthcare staff in both directions, and the routes are well worn. As an Australian-trained professional you are typically exempt from the IELTS and OET language tests, you can use the Youth Mobility Scheme if you are under 35, and — uniquely among the countries on this site — Australian doctors still have the AMC examination route to GMC registration, an option that is effectively closed for US and Canadian graduates. Here is how each profession registers.
English language
Typically no IELTS or OET required
Australia is on the NMC, GMC, GDC and GPhC lists of majority English-speaking countries, so Australian-trained professionals usually prove their English through their English-medium qualification or recent Australian practice rather than a separate test.
The exemption is evidence-based rather than automatic — for example the GMC requires you to be an Australian national with an Australia-awarded medical degree. We confirm your exact position before you apply.
Your registration route
How each profession registers in the UK.
Nurses
Regulator: NMCAHPRA-registered Australian nurses register with the NMC through the Test of Competence — the CBT (which can be sat in Australia) and the OSCE (taken in the UK). Official NMC fees total around £1,170.
Doctors
Regulator: GMCAustralian doctors have an extra option: as well as PLAB (the MLA) and accepted Australian postgraduate qualifications, the GMC still accepts the AMC examination route (AMC CAT MCQ plus the AMC clinical exam, where a face-to-face OSCE pass is accepted) — a route that is effectively closed for US and Canadian graduates. Specialist registration is via CCT or the Portfolio pathway.
Dentists
Regulator: GDCAustralian dentists normally register by passing the GDC’s Overseas Registration Exam (ORE). A small number of historic Australian dental degrees (generally awarded before 2001) are directly recognised — we check whether yours qualifies.
Pharmacists
Regulator: GPhCAustralian pharmacists register via the OSPAP — a one-year UK postgraduate diploma — followed by 52 weeks of foundation training and the GPhC registration assessment.
Visa & immigration
Youth Mobility or Health & Care Worker Visa
Australians aged 18–35 can use the Youth Mobility Scheme to live and work in the UK — including in healthcare — for up to three years, with no employer sponsor and no ballot. It is a popular way to start an NHS role, but it is temporary and does not lead to settlement. For a permanent move, the Health & Care Worker Visa is employer-sponsored, exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge, and leads to indefinite leave to remain after five years.
No Immigration Health Surcharge
The Health & Care Worker Visa exempts healthcare staff and their dependants from the IHS, and comes with reduced application fees.
A clear route to settlement
The Health & Care Worker Visa leads to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after five years in the UK.
We handle sponsorship
We help you find an approved UK sponsor — NHS trust or private provider — and prepare your Certificate of Sponsorship and application.
Step by step
From Australia to working in the UK.
Free eligibility review
We map your Australian qualification to the right UK regulator route — including the AMC option for doctors — and your visa choices.
Register with your regulator
NMC Test of Competence, GMC (PLAB or AMC route), GDC Overseas Registration Exam or GPhC OSPAP.
English language
Usually exempt as an Australian-trained professional; we confirm and assemble your evidence.
Choose your visa
Youth Mobility Scheme if you are under 35, or the sponsored Health & Care Worker Visa for a permanent move.
Start work in the UK
Begin practising in the UK, with a five-year route to settlement on the Health & Care Worker Visa.
FAQ
Moving to the UK from Australia — common questions.
Do Australian nurses need IELTS for the NMC?
Usually not — Australia is on the NMC’s list of majority English-speaking countries, so Australian-trained nurses normally evidence their English through their training or recent practice. You still complete the NMC Test of Competence (CBT + OSCE).
Can Australian doctors avoid PLAB?
Often, yes. As well as PLAB (the MLA), the GMC still accepts the AMC examination route for Australian doctors (the AMC CAT MCQ plus the AMC clinical exam), and accepts certain Australian postgraduate qualifications. We advise which option is fastest for you.
Can I work in the UK on a working-holiday visa from Australia?
Yes. Australians aged 18–35 can use the Youth Mobility Scheme to work in the UK — including in healthcare — for up to three years with no sponsor and no ballot. It is temporary; for a permanent move the Health & Care Worker Visa leads to settlement after five years.
Are Australian dental degrees recognised by the GDC?
Most Australian dentists sit the GDC Overseas Registration Exam (ORE). Only a small set of historic Australian dental degrees (generally pre-2001) are recognised directly, so we check your specific qualification against the GDC list.
Information is correct to the best of our knowledge in 2026. Regulator requirements, fees and immigration rules change, and English-language exemptions are evidence-based rather than automatic. We confirm your exact route with the relevant UK regulator before you apply.
Free consultation
Planning your move from Australia?
Tell us your profession, qualification and where you trained. A Global Pathways advisor will map your UK registration and visa route — completely free.
Email us directly
info@globalpathways.co.ukResponse time
Within 1 working day