FAQs

How much do you charge for your services?

We do not charge applicants any fees for recruitment. Applicants are required to pay fees for assessment, registration and visas etc to the relevant organisations. In addition you will need to pay for medical examinations, and costs associated with obtaining certified copies and translations of supporting documents into English.

We recommend that applicants retain original receipts for any expenses incurred in their processes for a secured position. Depending on the individual employment contract, you may be eligible for re-imbursement of some items.

Employers are charged per service application according to our fees and terms of business. Please contact us for more information.

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Am I really required to sit an English test?

For employment at any level of appointment, you must be able to satisfy the requirements of the English language skills registration standard.

Unless you completed your secondary education AND your basic medical degree in English in Australia, Canada, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America*, you must have passed an approved English test in the past two (2) years.

More information is available here, or contact us by e-mail.

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Please explain the recruitment process for me?

  • We do not start looking for positions until we have discussed options and preferences with you. When we find something we think may be suitable, we will e-mail you with information about the job, the hospital and the location.
  • The recruitment process from the employer side varies, and we will contact you with specific requirements as necessary.
  • We do not apply to your referees for references until you have advised it is OK to do so. However, for junior, non-specialist appointment, it is better to have references available to potential employers as soon as possible.
  • Most of our communication is done via e-mail due to time differences, so please remember to check your e-mail regularly.
  • Employers usually request a phone interview. We will help negotiate a suitable time for both you and the employer.
  • Most employers require a Criminal History Check (CHC) to be cleared before a formal letter of appointment will be offered.
  • After you have returned a signed acceptance of the position, we can start working on your applications for registration, etc.

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Job Selection Criteria. What are these and what must I do?

Most advertised vacancies require applicants to address selection criteria (aka key attributes) specific to the advertised position. Selection criteria describe the personal qualities, skills, abilities, knowledge and qualifications that an applicant needs to possess to perform in the role effectively. They are used to identify the right person for the job.

Selection criteria are often described as:

  • Essential (Must Have criteria - without these you won't be considered for the job)
  • Desirable (Additional and Beneficial - with these you have an even better chance)

The key is to:

  • demonstrate your ability by providing evidence of how you meet the selection criteria
  • provide specific details and examples from your own professional experience
  • where possible, include an indicator of success or the outcome of your action or participation

An easy way to do this is to use the STAR model - that is:

Situation - provide a brief outline of the situation or setting
Task - outline what you did
Approach or action - outline how you did it
Result - describe the outcomes

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What kind of visa will I be applying for?

Temporary Business (Long Stay) - Standard Business Sponsorship (Subclass 457).

This is the most commonly used visa for employers to sponsor overseas workers to work in Australia on a temporary basis.

Doctors can apply for either a temporary or permanent visa. However, doctors seeking permanent residency in Australia must first hold full medical registration in any state or territory of Australia. Full medical registration requires the doctor to have obtained an Australian qualification, by meeting the requirements for:

  • General registration - Australian Medical Council (AMC) certificate
OR
  • Specialist registration - Fellowship of an Australian Specialist College

And this is generally only possible after having completed at least 12 months of supervised practice in Australia.

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Do I need private health insurance in Australia?

From 14 September 2009, under visa Condition 8501, all new Subclass 457 visa holders are responsible for all health costs for themselves and the dependants on their visa. Applicants are required by law to maintain adequate insurance for these health costs for the length of their visa. Subclass 457 visa applicants need to provide evidence that they have obtained adequate insurance before their visa can be granted. See Department of Immigration and Citizenship for more information.

More information about choosing a private health insurer is available at the Australian government private health website for overseas visitors.

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Is the information I provide to you held private?

Yes, Wulff Medical Consulting is bound by, and is committed to supporting, the National Privacy Principles set out in the Privacy Act 1988, the Health Privacy Principles set out in the Health Records Act, and the National Privacy Principles within the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2004. You can obtain more information on request about the way we manage the personal information we hold. If you seek any further information, please contact us.

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Who will pay for relocation and accommodation?

This often depends on the location and the level of appointment. Regional hospitals provide more compensation for living away from urban centres, including temporary accommodation. Staff Specialist remuneration packages in regional locations may include vehicle, communication and accommodation incentives. Conversely, metropolitan hospitals, which have less reliance on international applicants to fill vacancies, usually offer much less in the way of incentives. However, most Employers will provide international medical graduates with some reimbursement towards their relocation expenses. Employers usually have an arrangement with a particular removal organisation or will require the provision of 2-3 quotes.

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Am I required to obtain medical indemnity insurance?

Unless you are advised otherwise, professional medical indemnity insurance will be provided by your employer.

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Can I bring my mother/father with me as a dependant on my visa?

Yes, it is possible. Besides children, other relatives of you or your partner may be considered in the application if they meet all requirements from Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) with regards to dependants. Send us your specific enquiry, and we will obtain detailed information for your situation.

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My family will not join me unless the dog/cat can come. Are we able to bring our pet(s)?

Yes it possible, but please be aware that Australia has strict quarantine laws which will involve many months separation from your pets in quarantine. Send us your specific enquiry, and we will obtain detailed information for your situation.

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Can you tell me about education for my children?

The education system in Australia is open to all people and offers an opportunity for structured learning for all age groups and levels of ability. School is compulsory for all children aged between five and fifteen years. These ages may vary slightly in some states. The government provides public schools. Churches and other groups provide private schooling. Public schooling is free and fees are payable for private schooling. Note: Students holding temporary visas may be required to pay full school fees at private institutions. Send us your specific enquiry, and we will obtain detailed information for your situation.

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Am I required to pay tax in Australia?

As a medical practitioner sponsored by your employer, you will be visiting Australia for more than six months and no doubt live in the same area and have, or will, establish ties in the local community (eg, you may have children attending the local school). This means you would be considered an Australian resident for tax purposes.

However, we recommend that you visit the Australian Taxation Office to be certain:

  • click on green 'individuals' tab
  • click on 'Get a tax file number or update your details' on the left, and then 'Are you a resident for tax purposes?'

It only takes 5 minutes to complete the online tool to determine whether you are an Australian resident for tax purposes, and will require an Australian Tax File Number (TFN).

You can apply online for your TFN if you are a permanent migrant or temporary visitor already in Australia. You must also be either:

  • a working holiday-maker
  • a New Zealander and you are automatically granted a visa on arrival
  • an overseas student and your visa has been amended to allow you to work
  • a person with a valid visa allowing you to stay in Australia indefinitely
  • a person with a business visa

The last point relates to Medical Practitioners on Temporary Business (Long Stay) - Standard Business Sponsorship (Subclass 457).

For more information, please contact the Australian Taxation Office.

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Can I purchase a house in Australia?

You need permission from the Foreign Investment Review Board to buy a house or land for building if you are not a permanent resident living in Australia.

Temporary residents in Australia for a period exceeding 12 months from the time of application for approval are eligible under foreign investment policy to acquire residential real estate. If the property being purchased is an established dwelling, that is, one that has been previously occupied or sold, foreign investment approval is still available provided that the dwelling is to be used as the person's principal place of residence, not for rental purposes and the property must be sold when their visa expires or they cease to reside in Australia.

This information is directly sourced from the Foreign Investment Review Board.

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Can I use my mobile phone in Australia?

Australian mobile phone service carriers operate two digital technologies - GSM and 3G.

If you are a temporary visitor to Australia, you may be able to enter into an international roaming agreement with your mobile carrier, in the country where you purchased the mobile phone or entered into a service agreement, which will enable you to use your mobile phone in Australia. You should contact your mobile carrier before leaving the country where you purchased the mobile phone or have a service agreement to find out if there is a roaming agreement in force with an Australian carrier. Mobile phone service providers in many countries have established international roaming agreements with carriers in Australia that allow their customers to continue to use their mobile phones in Australia.

This information is directly sourced from the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Alternatively, just purchase a new phone after you arrive in Australia.

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Can I bring my car to Australia?

Yes. Any person may import a motor vehicle or a motorcycle into Australia as directed in the section Motor Vehicle Standards Act.

It is strongly recommended that you do not ship your vehicle to Australia until such time as you are issued with an Import Approval. If you ship your vehicle before receiving an approval and your vehicle arrives before the application is processed, you may incur storage costs from the shipping company/freight forwarder. You may also be open to prosecution, as it is an offence to import a vehicle without an import approval. Importation takes place when a vehicle is landed within the port of intended discharge and not once the vehicle clears customs control. If the import application is not approved, you will have to either export the vehicle or have it destroyed at your own expense. Destruction will need to take place under Customs supervision.

This information is directly sourced from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

Basically you can import your car provided:

  • It meets the safety and emissions standards applying to vehicles to be used on Australian roads,
    OR
  • Arrangements are in place to modify the vehicle to meet these requirements after its arrival in Australia.

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If you have any questions which are not addressed here, please contact us by email.