Australian PR Points for General Practitioners
If you're a General Practitioner (ANZSCO 253111) looking to migrate to Australia, you're in one of the strongest positions possible. Australia faces a chronic shortage of medical professionals, particularly in regional and rural communities. Because of this, the occupation sits firmly on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), giving you access to the full spectrum of skilled migration visas.
But here's the catch: while gathering enough PR points is usually straightforward for medical professionals, navigating the complex MedBA registration and AMC examination process is the real hurdle you'll need to clear. Once you have that positive skills assessment, your path to an invitation is typically very smooth.
Subclass 189
Skilled Independent
A highly viable option for GPs. Historical cutoffs sit around 75 points, making this direct permanent residency pathway very achievable once your skills are recognised.
→ 189 visa guideSubclass 190
State Nominated (+5 pts)
All states and territories crave medical professionals. Earning state nomination gives you a fast-tracked PR visa with just a 2-year commitment to that state.
→ 190 visa guideSubclass 491
Regional Work (+15 pts)
If you're willing to work regionally, the 491 visa offers a massive 15-point boost and places you at the very front of the queue for regional health initiatives.
→ 491 visa guideSubclass 189, 190, and 491 Options for GPs
| Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|
| Nomination bonus | +0 | +5 | +15 |
| Historical cutoff (ANZSCO 253111) | 75 pts (e.g. Jun '24) | Varies by State | Varies by State |
| Occupation list status | MLTSSL | MLTSSL | MLTSSL |
Remember: A past points cutoff is simply a snapshot of who was invited on that day. It is never a guarantee that you will be invited with that same score in the future.
→ Track the latest SkillSelect invitation round resultsSkills Assessment for General Practitioners
You absolutely must have a positive skills assessment in hand before you can lodge your Expression of Interest (EOI).
Under legislative instrument LIN 19/051, the assessing authority is the Medical Board of Australia (MedBA).
| Assessing body | MedBA (with exams run by the AMC) |
| Official portals | medicalboard.gov.au / amc.org.au |
| Processing time | Highly variable. Expect months to over a year to complete exams and registration. |
| Approximate fee | Substantial (e.g. AMC MCQ ~$2,920 + Clinical ~$4,130) |
This is the biggest hurdle for international medical graduates.
While the MedBA is the designated authority for migration purposes, you'll need to go through the Australian Medical Council (AMC) to have your primary medical degree recognised and pass their rigorous MCQ and Clinical examinations. Once you achieve registration (which often requires a period of supervised practice in Australia), you've cleared the hardest part of the migration journey.
⚠ Crucial Rule: Your MedBA/AHPRA registration must be valid at the precise moment you RECEIVE your Invitation to Apply. If your registration or assessment is nearing expiry, you must renew it before your EOI lapses.
Occupation List Status
Because General Practitioners are on the MLTSSL, your migration options are wide open. If you want to understand how the MLTSSL interacts with the upcoming Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), have a look at our detailed guide.
→ Check the skilled occupation list for PR 2026State Nomination Options for GPs
Securing a state nomination (190 or 491) bypasses the national 189 competition and gives you extra points. Here's a snapshot of the landscape.
| State | Nomination Prospects | Notes |
|---|
| NSW | Highly Competitive | Included on NSW lists. You'll need to meet specific residency and work criteria. |
| VIC | Priority Sector | Victoria actively targets healthcare workers through their Registration of Interest (ROI) system. |
| QLD | Strong Demand | Massive demand for GPs, particularly if you're willing to head to regional Queensland. |
| WA | Targeted | Included on WASMOL with a heavy emphasis on filling healthcare gaps. |
| Other States | Accessible | SA, TAS, ACT, and NT all have pathways, often requiring local employment or graduate status. |
Please note: You must check the official state migration portals for current criteria before you assume eligibility. Just being on a list does not guarantee nomination.
→ Deciding which state to choose for PR? Read our guide.How to Improve Your Score
Once your skills are recognised, here's how to lock down a highly competitive score.
Max Out Your English
You already need excellent English for MedBA registration. If you haven't already, push for a 'Superior' English score (e.g. IELTS 8.0 or OET A). That gives you a huge 20 points for the points test.
→ English points guideGo Regional
Regional Australia desperately needs doctors. Opting for a subclass 491 visa gives you 15 bonus points and often puts your application at the front of the queue.
→ 491 visa guideHow the Proposed 2026 Reform Impacts GPs
⚠ Fact check: The government has proposed sweeping changes to the points test. However, these are currently just proposals. The existing Schedule 6D points system applies until any new legislation officially passes.
That said, if you're a General Practitioner, the outlook is overwhelmingly positive. The government has repeatedly signalled that healthcare is a top-tier priority. Under any new occupation-matching system, GPs are fully expected to remain one of the most favoured professions. If anything, the reforms aim to make it easier to triage and quickly invite highly skilled healthcare workers like you.
→ Learn exactly what the 2026 points test reform proposes