How much does Chandler Macleod Medical charge me for their services?

We do not charge Doctors for our services. Our arrangement is with the hospital. If a recruitment company  asks you for money, you should question this.

What indemnity cover do I need?

Australia is no different to most countries where professional indemnity is essential. If you will be working in a public hospital (operated by the state government) you will be covered by your employer’s policy but you are recommended to take out your own cover. This becomes mandatory if you are employed as a specialist or as a General Practitioner in private practice.

Be mindful of the fact that you need "tail" cover to protect you against claims that come to light after you leave Australia or cease practicing.

International Medical Graduates

Is everyone required to provide evidence of English Language proficiency to obtain medical registration in Australia?

Yes.

Many international medical graduates come from a non-English speaking background and the level of English competency varies greatly. Through national agreement, all the State and Territory registration boards and the Australian Medical Council have implemented an English Language Proficiency Policy that is consistent.

The most commonly used English language test is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). If you intend to seek employment in Australia, it is recommended that you book the next available test date. Please visit the IELTS website at www.ielts.org/ to locate the nearest testing centre.

If you have already completed your IELTS, your certificate must be dated within the last two (2) years. For registration purposes, a pass mark is an overall band score of 7 or higher in the academic module with a minimum score of 7 in each component.

If you completed secondary education in a country where English is the native or first language, you may be exempted from sitting an English language proficiency test. Contact one of our consultants for more information.

What if I am not happy with my IELTS results?

Candidates whose writing or speaking marks seem to be out of the ordinary will be double marked automatically in order to guarantee a fair and accurate assessment. If you were not happy with your results, we would advise you to repeat the test. However, if you think that something went wrong with the marking, you have the option to ask for a re-marking. This procedure takes quite a long time (up to 6 weeks), as the papers have to be sent to London. If you wish to have your speaking or writing test re-marked, please contact the IELTS Administrator who will give you more details on how to proceed.

It's not possible to repeat only one module of the test, i.e. if you're not happy with some of your marks, you will have to do the whole test again.

The IELTS test is valid for two years. It is very up to date and contains information about your language skills as they are at that point in time.

I would prefer to work in a large city like Sydney or Melbourne – is this possible?

Metropolitan cities have obvious appeal to everyone, including our own doctors in Australia. So the competition for positions in these locations is very high. If you intend on working in Australia sooner rather than later, consider the possibilities and benefits of working in other coastal cities, regional towns, and rural areas.

The world is getting smaller – metropolitan cities around the world are becoming so crowded and generic - have you noticed the same billboards and retail outlets wherever you go?

Why not opt to experience the real Australia - wide open spaces and peaceful lifestyle of rural communities, classic Aussie pubs and stunning National Parks – where you will discover what a colourful country Australia really is.

Will the hospital where I have found a position reimburse me for airfares, visas or medical registration or any other outlays such as relocation expenses?

Hospitals will usually reimburse some of your travel or relocation expenses. This amount varies from hospital to hospital. As a rule, hospitals located in metropolitan cities offer very limited, if any, reimbursement. Another good reason to consider regional centres over big cities!

You should discuss this with your employing hospital following your interview - in fact it’s a good idea to write a list of questions to ask your future employer.

What sort of drivers licence do I need?

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.

What is the cost of living in Australia?

This is hard to answer as it depends whether you live in a City or a regional town, but generally Australia is cheaper than many developed countries. There are many websites dedicated to this but to give you an idea: -

For 2 litres of milk: - approx $3.00 AUD

Loaf of bread: - approx $3.00 AUD

Schooner of beer in local pub: - $3.00 AUD

What can I bring to Australia through the airport and what do I need to declare?

Australia has very strict laws relating to the importation and/or possession of certain goods. AQIS (Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service) screens every piece of luggage brought into Australia. This ensures that the quarantine risk to Australia's agricultural industries and unique environment is minimised.

You must declare for inspection all food, plant material and animal products on arrival in Australia to ensure they are free of pests and diseases. Please note that food includes anything you eat or drink such as processed foods, uncooked food, airline food and snacks.

When you declare these items they will be checked by a Quarantine officer who will determine whether they are allowed into Australia.

Some products may require treatment to make them safe. Other items may be restricted due to pest and disease risks and will be seized and destroyed by AQIS.

Tick 'yes' on your Incoming Passenger Card

AQIS requires that all food, plant or animal products being brought into Australia through an airport be declared on the Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) You must tick YES to declare if you are carrying any food, plant material or animal products. In signing the IPC, passengers are making a legal declaration and failure to answer all questions truthfully can have serious consequences. Persons making a false declaration could be fined up to AUD$220 on-the-spot, could be prosecuted and fined up to AUD$60,000 and risk up to ten years imprisonment. More information at AQIS.

When you arrive at an Australian International Airport:

• You should have your passport and completed Incoming Passenger Card ready for immigration.
• Declare all food (tinned or packaged), plant and animal material.
• Pack all goods you wish to declare in an easily accessible bag to assist with Customs inspection.
• Just be honest with Customs Officials.

Did you know?

• Your baggage may be X-rayed when you arrive. This should not affect normal camera film.
• Fireworks, flammable liquids, corrosives and gas cylinders are not permitted on aircraft or in your baggage.
• Visitors including business people and students can bring such items as desktop or laptop computers and similar electronic equipment duty free into Australia provided Customs is satisfied these items are intended to be taken with them on departure.
• Yellow fever vaccination: Refer to the Australian Department of Health and Ageing site, http://www.health.gov.au/ before completing your Incoming Passenger Card given to you before arrival.
• If you are importing a motor vehicle, caravan or trailer, yacht or other craft, copies of brochures on requirements are available from Customs offices or Australian missions overseas.
• Copyright piracy and trade mark counterfeiting are illegal. By buying pirated or counterfeit items, not only could you end up with a flawed product, you are supporting an illegal trade that could involve serious criminal activity.You can play an important role in combating copyright piracy and counterfeiting of trade marks by not bringing pirated or counterfeit goods into Australia. In some circumstances pirated and counterfeit goods imported into Australia are liable to seizure by Customs and people importing such goods may be subject to civil litigation or criminal prosecution.

A word of advice

As a routine part of their work, Customs officers may question travellers at any time. Trained dogs may also be used to detect illegal drugs or prohibited imports. If you are in doubt, declare your goods or ask a Customs officer for advice. Declaring goods does not necessarily mean your baggage will be examined.

There are severe penalties for not declaring prohibited or restricted items and goods on which you must pay duty/tax. Presenting false receipts also carries heavy penalties.

More information is available at Australian Customs Service website: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm