Start with the work you want to do
- Do not assume your UK grade maps directly to a local specialist title.
- Map your experience and qualifications against both general and specialist routes.
- Ask employers to confirm the role’s scope, seniority and progression in writing.
Australia: identify the right pathway
The Australian Government outlines four IMG routes: Standard, Competent Authority, Specialist and Expedited Specialist. The applicable route depends on your credentials and experience.
Investigate the Competent Authority criteria if your education and practice history may fit. Otherwise compare the other IMG routes. Do not assume that current GMC registration establishes eligibility.
Working in Australia: official resourcesAustralian Government · Department of Health, Disability and AgeingConfirm the employer’s proposed grade, supervision arrangements and whether the post counts towards any training you want to pursue. Plan the registration and employment steps together, and check work rights separately.
New Zealand: match your background
The UK and Irish medical graduates pathway is relevant to approved UK or Irish medical degrees and recognised internship arrangements. It includes fitness-for-registration requirements and a job offer with supervision.
If you qualified elsewhere, compare the separate general-scope routes. These include routes based on UK assessment/registration or qualifying practice in a comparable health system.
UK and Irish medical graduatesMedical Council of New ZealandGeneral-scope registration pathwaysMedical Council of New ZealandRegistration and a practising certificate must be in place before you practise. Confirm any supervision and role-specific conditions with the Medical Council.
Other destinations and recognition routes
Explore UK-linked local registration, UK qualification agreements, and routes for eligible GPs and specialists. Each destination still has its own registration and employment conditions.
Compare all 20 destinationsQuestions to put to an employer
- What is the full roster, including nights, weekends and on-call duties?
- Who supervises me, and how much protected teaching or development time is included?
- Is the post formally recognised for training, and by which body?
- Which registration and immigration steps depend on the offer?
- Which relocation costs are paid, when, and what could I have to repay?
Check your UK regulator and training body’s requirements before leaving. Keep records of supervision, practice, learning and assessments while abroad.
Source-led overview checked 28 October 2026. It is not an individual eligibility assessment.