Become a Registered Health Professional in Australia

To practise as a health professional in Australia you will need to meet the registration requirements of the relevant governing body. You may also require a visa, which is issued by the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs. It is likely that you will need to have an occupation that is on one of the lists of eligible skilled occupations and a skills assessment may be required for some visas.

In Australia there are 15 health professions governed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). To practice as a health practitioner in Australia you will need to meet the registration requirements with the relevant National Board which is governed by AHPRA. The National Boards are: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Practice, Chiropractic, Chinese Medicine, Dental, Medical, Medical Radiation Practice, Nursing and Midwifery, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Osteopathy, Paramedicine, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Psychology. Click here for AHPRA’s overseas practitioner page. Other professions such as dietetics and exercise physiology have different governing bodies.

Dentistry

To register as a dental practitioner with the Dental Board of Australia you may be required to undertake examinations with the Australian Dental Council. There is also information available from the Australian Dental Association.

• Internationally trained dentists page

Dietetics

The profession of dietetics in Australia is governed by the Dietitians Association of Australia. It is likely that you will need to complete a Dietetic Skills Recognition in order to become an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD). The APD program is governed by the Dietetic Credentialing Council.

Exercise Physiology / Exercise Science / Sports Science

The professions of exercise physiology, exercise science and sports science in Australia are governed by Exercise and Sports Science Australia.

Medicine

The medical profession in Australia is governed by the Medical Board of Australia. There are a number of pathways to become registered as a doctor. This can be a complex process and we recommend that you engage the services of People Medical Consulting. There is also information available from the Australian Medical Association and Doctor Connect.

• Internationally trained doctors page

Medical Radiation – Medical Imaging, Medical Radiation Therapy and Sonography

The medical radiation professions in Australia are governed by the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia. Assessments of overseas practitioners for diagnostic medical imaging, medical radiation therapy and sonography are carried out by the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy.

• Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia
• Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy

Nursing and Midwifery

The professions of nursing and midwifery in Australia are governed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Assessments of overseas qualified practitioners are carried out by the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council. There is also information available from the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation.

• Internationally trained nurses page

Occupational Therapy

The profession of occupational therapy in Australia is governed by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia. Assessments of overseas qualified practitioners are carried out by the Occupational Therapy Council (Australia and New Zealand). There is also information available from Occupational Therapy Australia.

• Occupational Therapy Board of Australia
• Occupational Therapy Council (Australia and New Zealand)
• Occupational Therapy Australia

Optometry

The profession of optometry in Australia is governed by the Optometry Board of Australia. Assessments of overseas qualified practitioners are carried out by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand.

• Optometry Board of Australia
• Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand

Osteopathy

The profession of osteopathy in Australia is governed by the Osteopathy Board of Australia. Assessments of overseas qualified practitioners are carried out by the Australasian Osteopathic Accreditation Council. There is also information available from Osteopathy Australia.

• Osteopathy Board of Australia
• Australasian Osteopathic Accreditation Council
• Osteopathy Australia

Paramedicine

The profession of paramedicine in Australia is governed by the Paramedicine Board of Australia.

• Paramedicine Board of Australia

Pharmacy

The profession of pharmacy in Australia is governed by the Pharmacy Board of Australia. Assessments of overseas qualified practitioners are carried out by the Australian Pharmacy Council.

• Pharmacy Board of Australia
• Australian Pharmacy Council

Physiotherapy

The profession of physiotherapy in Australia is governed by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. Assessments of overseas qualified practitioners are carried out by the Australian Physiotherapy Council.

• Physiotherapy Board of Australia
• Australian Physiotherapy Council

Podiatry and Podiatric Surgery

The professions of podiatry and podiatric surgery in Australia are governed by the Podiatry Board of Australia. Assessments of overseas qualified practitioners are carried out by the Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council.

• Podiatry Board of Australia
• Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council

Psychology

The profession of psychology in Australia is governed by the Psychology Board of Australia. Assessments of overseas qualified practitioners are carried out by the Australian Psychological Society. The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council gives details of accredited programs of study in Australia, Malaysia and Singapore.

• Internationally trained psychologists page

Speech Pathology

The profession of speech pathology in Australia is governed by Speech Pathology Australia. Assessments of overseas qualified practitioners are carried out by this organisation.

• Speech Pathology Australia

This page was last updated in November 2022.