Australia: Visas for GPs Program Updates

The Australian government announced that the "Visas for GPs" program will be discontinued starting September 16, 2023. This initiative, encompassed under several employer-sponsored visa programs, currently requires employers in the healthcare sector to secure either a Health Workforce Certificate (HWC) or a Health Workforce Exemption Certificate (HWEC) from a Rural Workforce Agency (RWA) when nominating doctors for specific roles. These roles include General Practitioner (ANZSCO 253111), Residence Medical Officer (ANZSCO 253112) and Medical Practitioners not classified elsewhere (ANZSCO 253999). With the program's cessation, International Medical Graduates (IMGs) aspiring to work in primary care in Australia will no longer need to obtain a HWC for their visa applications. HWC applications close on September 5, 2023, and HWEC applications close on September 13, 2023.