In Australia, employers who are sponsoring a visa for an International Medical Graduate (IMG) must apply for a Health Workforce Certificate. In addition, hospital employers who are sponsoring a temporary or provisional visa for an IMG must apply for a Health Workforce Exemption Certificate.
Hospitals seeking to employ overseas doctors will be provided with automatic approval and issued with either a Health Workforce Certificate or a Health Workforce Exemption Certificate depending on the Employer Sponsored visa type.
The New Rules – Health Workforce Exemption Certificates
Due to recent legislative changes, for Subclass 482 and 494 nominations lodged on or after 16 December 2020, the Health Workforce Exemption Certificate (HWEC) is required for the following occupations that are in a hospital based setting:
- General Practitioner (ANZSCO 253111)
- Resident Medical Officer (ANZSCO 253112)
- Medical Practitioner not elsewhere classified (nec) (ANZSCO 253999)
Effect of changes
The HWEC is valid for 12 months and the same certificate can be used across multiple nomination applications during its period of validity. This requirement makes it easier for hospital employers that employ a large number of overseas doctors. Previously, hospital employers needed to apply for a separate Health Workforce Certificate for each doctor sponsored under the Subclass 482 and 494 visas.
Hospital employers are still required to apply for a Health Workforce Certificate when sponsoring overseas doctors for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme and Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa application which are permanent resident visas.
Non-hospital employers must continue to apply for a Health Workforce Certificate when nominating doctors for the above mentioned occupations.
Let the team at Tego help
The team at Tego wants to help our medical practitioners and private hospitals when hiring International doctors in Australia. The rules have changed and it is essential that our clients stay informed.
As Medical indemnity Insurance providers in Australia, we will cover your practice with medical indemnity insurance, medical malpractice insurance, doctors indemnity insurance, medical practice insurance, gp medical indemnity insurance, and more. If you are a health practitioner with Tego, your medical indemnity insurance comes with 24/7 medico-legal advice and support.
This publication is general in nature and is not comprehensive or constitutes legal or medical advice. You should seek legal, medical or other professional advice before relying on any content, and practice proper clinical decision making with regard to individual circumstances. Persons implementing any recommendations contained in this publication must exercise their own independent skill or judgment or seek appropriate professional advice relevant to their own particular practice. Compliance with any recommendations will not in any way guarantee discharge of the duty of care owed to patients and others coming into contact with the health professional or practice. Tego Insurance Pty Ltd is not responsible to you or anyone else for any loss suffered in connection with the use of this information.
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