Doctor visa routes in Commonwealth of Australia
Thinking about Commonwealth of Australia as a place to work? Below are the 3 Commonwealth of Australia visa routes that most commonly fit doctors, with what each one needs and a link to the official government source. Always confirm the current rules on the primary source before acting.
Also searched as: physician, medical doctor, GP, specialist.
What this means for doctors
Of the 3 Commonwealth of Australia routes that commonly fit doctors, 1 needs a sponsoring employer and 2 do not, and 3 can lead to permanent residence. Doctors work in a regulated field, so immigration approval is only half the journey: in most countries you must also clear a separate professional-registration or licensing step before you can practise in Commonwealth of Australia. That recognition process often takes as long as the visa itself, so it is worth starting in parallel.
The most-used skilled route into Commonwealth of Australia overall is the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), which also fits many doctors — it is included below.
Typical figures — Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Government cost
A$5,416
Single applicant, functional English, no health surcharge
Add A$2,385 per adult dependant, A$1,195 per child. Each adult may separately be charged the A$4,890 limited-English second instalment if they cannot demonstrate functional English.
Verified 1 June 2026 · Home Affairs — Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa →
How long it takes
6 months – 12 months
Home Affairs publishes a typical decision window of 6–12 months for the subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa, counted from the date you lodge. Because 189 is points-tested and invitation-only, much of the real waiting often happens earlier – in the SkillSelect pool, waiting for an invitation to apply.
Verified 1 June 2026 · Home Affairs — Global visa processing times →
Time to permanent residence
Arrival on 482 → 186 ENS after 2 years (Specialist Skills Pathway) or 3-4 years (Core Skills) → PR → citizenship after 4 years from arrival (minimum 12 months as PR).
Leads to Permanent Resident, then Australian citizenship.
Will you qualify?
EOI minimum: 65 points to submit an Expression of Interest; invitation rounds usually require more.
Estimate your score →Routes that fit doctors
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
Employer-sponsored temporary work visa (formerly TSS) with reformed routes from December 2024.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Up to 4 years.
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
Points-based permanent residence visa for skilled workers without employer or state sponsorship.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Permanent residence.
National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent)
Permanent residence for globally recognised high achievers in target sectors — replacement for the former Global Talent visa.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Permanent residence.
Figures by route
Verified salary floor and processing window per matched route, each primary-sourced. Indicative, not legal advice.
| Route | Salary floor | Processing | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) | — | 2 weeks – 8 weeks | Yes |
| Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) | — | 6 months – 12 months | Yes |
| National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent) | — | 3 months – 12 months | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
Which visa routes suit doctors moving to Commonwealth of Australia?+
Commonwealth of Australia has 3 routes that commonly fit doctors: Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent). The best fit depends on whether you already have an employer sponsor, your salary, and your qualifications — open any route below for its full eligibility criteria and primary government source.
Do doctors need a job offer to move to Commonwealth of Australia?+
Not always. 2 of the 3 matched Commonwealth of Australia routes can be pursued without an employer sponsoring you (such as the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)), while 1 needs a sponsoring employer or a confirmed job offer. If you do not yet have an offer, start with the no-sponsor routes.
Can doctors settle permanently in Commonwealth of Australia?+
Yes. 3 of the 3 matched routes lead toward settlement or permanent residence. Permanent-residence timelines vary by route, so check the settlement detail on each visa page.
Do doctors need to requalify or register to work in Commonwealth of Australia?+
Doctors work in a regulated field, so immigration approval is only half the journey: in most countries you must also clear a separate professional-registration or licensing step before you can practise in Commonwealth of Australia. That recognition process often takes as long as the visa itself, so it is worth starting in parallel.
How much does the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) cost in government fees?+
For the worked example (Single applicant, functional English, no health surcharge), government fees total about A$5,416 (Home Affairs — Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa, verified 1 June 2026). Treat as indicative and confirm the current schedule on the official source.
How long does the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) take to process?+
The typical published decision window is 6 months – 12 months (Home Affairs — Global visa processing times, verified 1 June 2026).