Job Prospects After Medical School

[batcaveman]

How has this shaken out now? I'm an international looking at medical school in Australia and thought that getting an internship was really the great challenge, but now people are talking about getting a GP registrar or specialization training spot as what's the genuinely difficult part, and not internships (at least at the moment).

If you're willing to work anywhere in Australia is it still fine re obtaining GP registrar or specialization training?

 

[A1]

but now people are talking about getting a GP registrar or specialization training spot as what's the genuinely difficult part

Getting a specialty/vocational training spot is indeed the difficult part, for ALL junior doctors be them Australian or international graduates.

Int'l graduates face an extra difficulty in getting an internship. On average only half of the 600 or so int'l grads a year do.

If you're willing to work anywhere in Australia is it still fine re obtaining GP registrar or specialization training?

It depends which specialty. Some are notoriously challenging, some not so much. I believe Psychiatry & GP are undersubscribed.

 

[fire2034]

hi, im an international student who has received offers to study medicine at some Australian universities. the websites, however, state that internships are NOT guaranteed for international med students? in that case, what steps do I have to take in order to be competitive enough to secure internships? Do I need to have an incredibly decorated CV or Resume to maximise my chances at securing an internship? And, on average what percentage of international med students get an internship, and what percentage do not? if anyone here is already in that stage, please share some insight, it would really help me. Thanks a lot!

 

[A1]

hi, im an international student who has received offers to study medicine at some Australian universities. the websites, however, state that internships are NOT guaranteed for international med students? in that case, what steps do I have to take in order to be competitive enough to secure internships? Do I need to have an incredibly decorated CV or Resume to maximise my chances at securing an internship? And, on average what percentage of international med students get an internship, and what percentage do not? if anyone here is already in that stage, please share some insight, it would really help me. Thanks a lot!

From my looking into Med Deans data and Intern Recruitment programs it appears about half the int'l-student med graduates get an internship. In round numbers about 300 out of 600.

Intern recruitment is state by state under a priority system. You can study in one state and apply to other states with some priority disadvantages vs their int'l grads. I hear in Vic/WA (and possibly Tasmania) it's quite better than 50/50, occasionally even close to 100%.

In NSW you can improve your chances by applying for the remote/rural intern positions. This is because NSW allocates these positions first in the first round, since fewer Aus graduates volunteer for these locations you face less higher-priority competition.

In Qld, after the top-priority Aus graduates it's largely merit-based. But this merit thing favours those studying in Qld with clinical placements in the local hospitals i.e. being known to the hospital management. I don't know much about South Aus.

 

[fire2034]

From my looking into Med Deans data and Intern Recruitment programs it appears about half the int'l-student med graduates get an internship. In round numbers about 300 out of 600.

Intern recruitment is state by state under a priority system. You can study in one state and apply to other states with some priority disadvantages vs their int'l grads. I hear in Vic/WA (and possibly Tasmania) it's quite better than 50/50, occasionally even close to 100%.

In NSW you can improve your chances by applying for the remote/rural intern positions. This is because NSW allocates these positions first in the first round, since fewer Aus graduates volunteer for these locations you face less higher-priority competition.

In Qld, after the top-priority Aus graduates it's largely merit-based. But this merit thing favours those studying in Qld with clinical placements in the local hospitals i.e. being known to the hospital management. I don't know much about South Aus.

Thank you so much for your reply! What happens to the remaining 300 intl graduates with no internships? I'm worried about this since I'm also holding an offer from a UK university for medicine, and there, almost all people get integrated into the NHS after the med course, so i'm torn between choosing to study in the UK or Australia. But, the NHS in general is facing issues too. Say I'm studying in a med school in NSW, and I apply for internships in Vic/WA, are my chances better in Vic/WA over NSW? (considering my internship is rural vs considering its non-rural, i wanted to see a comparison)


also what about private hospitals, how do they work? are intl graduates more likely to get an internship in private hospitals over public ones? and do these internships pay the students a salary or something? i'm not sure how all of this works, any insight would help

 

[A1]

I'm also holding an offer from a UK university for medicine, and there, almost all people get integrated into the NHS after the med course

You may have better information, my internet search says not all IMGs from UK med schools get a UK internship.

What happens to the remaining 300 intl graduates with no internships?

Some return to their home countries by design, some return after no internship (they still can qualify as doctor in their country with the Aus degree). Many stay on doing non-med work to apply again next year, or for the occasional vacancies that pop up during the year.

Say I'm studying in a med school in NSW, and I apply for internships in Vic/WA, are my chances better in Vic/WA over NSW? (considering my internship is rural vs considering its non-rural, i wanted to see a comparison)

It's a complex process I can only answer in generality.

In some states the priority rankings are
1. Aus graduates of instate med schools (or studied interstate schools now returning to home state)
2. Aus grads of interstate schools
3. Int'l grads of instate schools
4. Int'l grads of interstate schools
However in Vic/WA the (2) and (3) are swapped around i.e. Int'l grads of instate schools get Priority 2.
Since the intern intake usually exceeds the Aus grads the Int'l grads are next in line to get the remaining spots.

But in your case applying as Int'l interstate grad I think you remain at Priority 4, making it more difficult. *Probably* NSW remote/rural gives better chances (but you will want to apply to them all anyway).

what about private hospitals, how do they work? are intl graduates more likely to get an internship in private hospitals over public ones?

Not sure about other states. In WA where I am some private hospitals do take in interns, but afaik it's done through the State recruiment i.e. private hospitals don't go out recruiting interns themselves. So no difference to what described above.

do these internships pay the students a salary or something?

Yes interns in Australia are on full pay for supposedly 37-40 hours/week work.
In WA from Sept this year an intern gets A$90K + 11% superannuation + $6K prof devel allowance.
Other states may be +/- $5-10K.

See page 83 > https://www.health.wa.gov.au/~/medi...actitioners-AMA-industrial-agreement-2024.pdf

 

[fire2034]

You may have better information, my internet search says not all IMGs from UK med schools get a UK internship.


Some return to their home countries by design, some return after no internship (they still can qualify as doctor in their country with the Aus degree). Many stay on doing non-med work to apply again next year, or for the occasional vacancies that pop up during the year.


It's a complex process I can only answer in generality.

In some states the priority rankings are
1. Aus graduates of instate med schools (or studied interstate schools now returning to home state)
2. Aus grads of interstate schools
3. Int'l grads of instate schools
4. Int'l grads of interstate schools
However in Vic/WA the (2) and (3) are swapped around i.e. Int'l grads of instate schools get Priority 2.
Since the intern intake usually exceeds the Aus grads the Int'l grads are next in line to get the remaining spots.

But in your case applying as Int'l interstate grad I think you remain at Priority 4, making it more difficult. *Probably* NSW remote/rural gives better chances (but you will want to apply to them all anyway).


Not sure about other states. In WA where I am some private hospitals do take in interns, but afaik it's done through the State recruiment i.e. private hospitals don't go out recruiting interns themselves. So no difference to what described above.


Yes interns in Australia are on full pay for supposedly 37-40 hours/week work.
In WA from Sept this year an intern gets A$90K + 11% superannuation + $6K prof devel allowance.
Other states may be +/- $5-10K.

See page 83 > https://www.health.wa.gov.au/~/medi...actitioners-AMA-industrial-agreement-2024.pdf

Thank you so much A1, much appreciated!

 

[med.year12]

Hi everyone,
I’m currently collaborating with the Australian Medical and Dental Student Associations to explore student placement rights, with a focus on reducing the financial burden associated with mandatory placements.

The government has recently introduced Commonwealth Placement Payments to support nursing students with placement-related expenses. Our team is now advocating for expansion of this initiative to include all allied health, medical, and dental students undertaking required placements.

If you are a nursing student, a graduate nurse, or know someone who has received or been offered these placement payments, I would be very grateful if you could reach out via DM. I’m currently gathering perspectives and lived experiences to better understand how the payments are being implemented and their impact.

I welcome any insights you may be able to share on this matter, all contributions are valued and appreciated!!! ❤

Thank you in advance
- AMSA, ADSA

 

[TheToothHurts]

From my looking into Med Deans data and Intern Recruitment programs it appears about half the int'l-student med graduates get an internship. In round numbers about 300 out of 600.

Intern recruitment is state by state under a priority system. You can study in one state and apply to other states with some priority disadvantages vs their int'l grads. I hear in Vic/WA (and possibly Tasmania) it's quite better than 50/50, occasionally even close to 100%.

In NSW you can improve your chances by applying for the remote/rural intern positions. This is because NSW allocates these positions first in the first round, since fewer Aus graduates volunteer for these locations you face less higher-priority competition.

In Qld, after the top-priority Aus graduates it's largely merit-based. But this merit thing favours those studying in Qld with clinical placements in the local hospitals i.e. being known to the hospital management. I don't know much about South Aus.

thank you, was looking for this.