AHPRA and the Expedited Pathway for GPs

AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) is the national regulator responsible for registering and regulating doctors in Australia. It’s broadly equivalent to the GMC in the UK. 

The AHPRA expedited pathway allows eligible UK-trained GPs (typically those with MRCGP + CCT) to apply directly for specialist registration in Australia without going through the usual lengthy college assessment process.

It recognises comparable training from countries like the UK meaning applications are assessed directly by AHPRA and the Medical Board. It has significantly reduced time and cost compared with traditional routes.

Once approved, you can work as a specialist GP, usually completing an initial supervised period and orientation to the Australian system for a few months before practising fully independently.

In practice the expedited pathway shortens the overall timeline for registration to as little as 4-8 weeks for prepared applicants. It is easily the fastest route for experienced UK GPs to move into Australian general practice.

📘 The UK GP’s Guide to Relocating to Australia — Full Series

This article is part of our complete guide for UK-trained GPs considering a move to Australia. Each section covers a different stage of the process:

• The Full Guide
• Getting Registered with AHPRA - This Article! 
• How Much do GPs Earn in Australia?
• Working Hours for UK GPs in Australia
• Choosing a Location in Australia?
• Guide to the 482 Australian Visa

If you’re early in your research, we recommend starting with the full guide and then working through each section step by step.

The Evidence Required

The process of applying through the expedited pathway is incredibly simple. The key to a smooth application is ensuring you have the correct evidence in place.

You’ll most likely have all of the required evidence if you’re working as a GP in the UK already and here’s a checklist with the typical requirements:

✅ Identity & Personal Documents

• Valid passport (certified copy)
• Secondary ID (UK driving licence or utility bill)

✅ GMC, Medical Qualifications & GP Status

• Primary medical degree certificate (MBBS / MBChB)
• GMC Registration & Certificate of Good Standing
• MRCGP certificate
• CCT certificate (or confirmation from GMC if recently awarded)

✅ Employment & Experience Evidence

• Up-to-date CV (month-by-month, no unexplained gaps)
• References or employment letters confirming recent GP work (can be applied for after receiving job offer)

✅ Fitness to Practise / Compliance

• DBS or police clearance certificates (UK and any country worked in recently)
• Health declaration (standard AHPRA form)
• Professional indemnity confirmation (can often be arranged after approval)

Applying for Jobs

Once you’ve got your evidence in place, you’re ready to secure a job offer. To satisfy AHPRA, you’ll need to work in a practice that are approved for supervised to properly support you during your initial period.

The good news is that this covers a large majority of practices. Here are some considerations:

✅ Types of Jobs You Can Apply For

• Mixed billing or bulk billing GP practices (where all or some of the fees are generated through government Medicare rebates)
• Group practices or medical centres with multiple GPs on site (depending on your preference for size and organisation structure)
• DPA locations (Distribution Priority Areas cover regional or outer metro areas where workforce need is higher and are usually as close as 45 minutes to the major city centre hubs)

It’s worth noting that solo practices or very small clinics are sometimes less suitable because supervision and support requirements are harder to meet.

✅ What the Practice Must Provide for AHPRA Approval

There will be a period of orientation and supervision when you first arrive so it’s important to AHPRA (and you) that the practice you work in can support you in the first few months.

BDI Resourcing screen all the practices we work with to ensure you won’t be working in isolation, you have genuine GP oversight available to you and the environment offers a safe transition to Australian general practice. This is what we’re looking for:

• An approved GP supervisor - Usually an experienced FRACGP or FACRRM GP. Must be on site or readily available for support
• A formal supervised practice plan - Outlines how you’ll be supported, reviewed, and gradually move to full independence. Includes orientation to Australian systems, prescribing, referrals, and billing
• Appropriate clinical governance - Established systems for escalation, case discussion, and clinical oversight. Adequate patient mix and workload suitable for supervision
• Suitable practice infrastructure - Proper medical software, support staff, and established processes. Ability to support workplace-based assessments if required

Making the AHPRA Application

If you’ve reached this stage, gathered the right evidence and selected a suitable practice to start work in, the application itself is a simple administrative exercise. These are the simple steps:

✅ 1. Create Your AHPRA Online Account

• Apply through the AHPRA online portal
• Select Specialist Registration → Expedited Specialist Pathway (General Practice)

✅ 2. Upload Documents & Submit the Application

You upload certified copies of:

• Identity documents
• Medical degree, MRCGP, and CCT
• GMC Certificate of Good Standing
• CV and employment history
• Police checks and health declarations

At this stage you also nominate your intended place of practice and supervisor details

✅ 3. Employer Submits the Supervised Practice Plan

• Your employer and supervisor submit the supervision and practice plan directly to AHPRA / the Medical Board
• This explains how you’ll be supported during the initial period of practice.

✅ 4. Assessment by AHPRA & Medical Board

• AHPRA checks documents and eligibility, then the Medical Board reviews the application and supervision setup
• If approved, you’re granted specialist registration with conditions (usually supervised practice initially)

✅ 5. Registration Granted → Start Work

And that’s it! Once registration is issued, you can begin working in the approved practice. You’ll complete the supervised period and orientation requirements and then conditions are removed.

How much does the expedited pathway cost?

For a UK GP going through the expedited specialist pathway, the AHPRA costs are simple. There are two main fees at the point of application:

1. Application fee (assessment fee) - about AUD $1,500–$1,600
2. Registration fee (once approved) - about AUD $1,050–$1,060

In total you’re typically looking at around AUD $2,500 - $2,700 (which is roughly £1,300 - £1,400)

How long does it take?

From the point of making your online application (so we’re assuming you have your evidence and job offer ready) it only takes 4-8 weeks to have everything approved and specialist registration issued.

Delays generally only come from incorrect / missing evidence or waiting on supervisor / practice paperwork. That’s why things move more quickly with the support of BDI Resourcing who check off your evidence and ensure practices are ready with their side prior to submission.

A Summary

For UK based GPs that want to move to Australia, you’ll first need to register with AHPRA. The expedited pathway for general practice makes that incredibly simple for those with MRCGP and CCT. The application process is incredibly simple so long as you’ve prepared the two important elements.

Firstly, gather your evidence – if you’re practicing as a fully-fledged GP in the NHS at the moment it’s almost certain you’ll have everything and it’ll just need certifying. Secondly, secure a job in a setting that can support your transition to Australia – you can identify them yourself or engage the support of BDI Resourcing who can connect you with appropriate practices. Once you’ve reached this point, a simple online application is all that’s left.

Allow £1,300-£1,400 for your application and give yourself 4-8 weeks lead in time once your application is made. Remember that having the right evidence and supervision are key so engaging the support of BDI Resourcing avoids delays or disappointments.

Next Steps

Next, you’ll want to read more about the 482 visa which sponsors you and your family to move to Australia

We would love to hear how you are getting on... Email Aus@bdiresourcing.com if you have any queries about working as a GP in Australia or to hear about your job options.

Good Luck!