Medical PG After MBBS in Australia 2026: Guide for Indian Doctors

Article Summary

• Indian MBBS graduates can pursue PG in Australia through two distinct pathways — the clinical AMC pathway, which is employment-based with no tuition fees and earnings from Day 1 (total registration cost of AUD 10,000–12,000 vs INR 50L–1.5 Cr for a private PG seat in India), or university-based academic programs like MPH and PhD costing AUD 30,000–70,000 per year but without clinical practice rights.
• The AMC clinical pathway requires passing two exams — the CAT MCQ Part 1 (AUD 2,920) and the Clinical OSCE Exam Part 2 in Melbourne (AUD 3,000) — followed by AHPRA registration and 12 months of supervised hospital practice before obtaining full independent General Registration and entering specialist training.
• Specialist salaries in Australia are significantly higher than India, with neurosurgeons earning AUD 600,000 (INR 3.3 Cr+), general surgeons AUD 395,000 (INR 2.17 Cr), and General Practitioners AUD 200,000–350,000 annually, while medical practitioners are listed on Australia’s MLTSSL priority skilled migrants list, enabling a faster PR pathway.

It is crucial for Indian students to understand the postgraduate courses after completing MBBS in Australia beforehand, to be aware of everything. This helps you to check about the AMC pathway, tuition fees, salaries you will get on graduation, and specialist training opportunities for PG after MBBS in Australia in 2026. There are over 2 lakh MBBS graduates who appear for the NEET-PG exams, competing for just 50,000 seats on average every year. That means around 1.5 lakh qualified doctors are left without a PG seat in a single cycle in India. If you’ve been in that situation, doing a postgraduate degree in Australia after an MBBS in India might be the best decision for you. 

One of the best things about doing PG in Australia as an MBBS graduate is that you are not only enrolled in a university course there, it’s a job, and you get paid from Day 1. And the entire system, from the AMC exams to fellowship training, is structured around clinical employment, not tuition fees. Read the complete blog for more information. 

Why To Do PG After MBBS in Australia in 2026? 

There are many reasons why Indian MBBS graduates are consistently choosing Australia as the top option for PG courses after competition of the MBBS course in India. Here are a few of the main benefits for MBBS graduates to study medical PG in Australia: 

Shortage of Skilled Doctors in Australia

Australia’s healthcare system is globally recognised, heavily research-backed, and facing a genuine doctor shortage, particularly in general practice, psychiatry, emergency medicine, and rural areas. That shortage works in your favour as an IMG (international medical graduate) there. So, doing a PG after MBBS in Australia offers you lucrative job prospects. 

High Salaries for PG in Australia for MBBS Graduates  

Financially, you will also be earning high salaries as a PG student in Australia after MBBS. For instance, an intern or a JHO in Australia earns around AUD 75,000 to AUD 95,000 per year on average, which is roughly INR 46.5L to INR 59L. Also, registrars in speciality training earn AUD 110,000 and above. Specialist consultants get salaries of around AUD 250,000 to AUD 500,000 and over per year. Compare that with what most Indian consultants make in private practice, and studying a medical postgraduate course after MBBS in Australia might be a good decision.

PR Pathway for Medical PG in Australia

Also, the PR pathway is smooth for medical PG graduates in Australia. Medical practitioners in Australia are on the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List), meaning doctors are priority skilled migrants. The pathway from MBBS to Australian PR is well-defined and achievable.

Work-Life Balance for PG Graduates After MBBS in Australia 

And one thing that genuinely matters but rarely gets mentioned is the advantage of work-life balance for Indian medical graduates there. Australian hospitals operate on formal rostering, regulated working hours, and structured overtime pay. 

One of the major things to consider as a medical student is that NEET-PG has low relevance in Australia. The AMC (Australian Medical Council) is the gateway for Indian MBBS graduates. Whether you cleared NEET-PG or not makes no difference here whatsoever.

Also Read: Graduate Entry Medicine Australia: Universities, Fees, Without GAMSAT

Pathways to PG After MBBS in Australia in 2026

There are two pathways for you to do a postgraduate course after MBBS in Australia in the year 2026. You can go for a clinical career, which is basically an employment-based specialist training, and another one is to choose academic or research PG courses in a university. Check both options through the headings below: 

Pathway 1: Clinical Career Pathway in Australia After MBBS 

It is not a university program in Australia, so there’s no tuition fee for you as an MBBS graduate. There is no requirement to have enrolment as well. To have a clinical career in Australia after MBBS, you need to go through the AMC exams, get AHPRA registration, and secure a hospital position, and from that point, you’re a salaried employee of the Australian healthcare system. Your specialist training happens on the job, through the relevant Australian specialist college, FRACGP for general practice, FRACP for internal medicine, FANZCA for anaesthesia, and so on.

The total cost of having a clinical career pathway in Australia after MBBS for general registration is approximately AUD 10,000 to AUD 12,000. This is equivalent to roughly INR 5.5L to INR 6.6L. After that, you’re earning there and not spending except for the living expenses. 

For comparison, a private PG seat (MD/MS) in India can cost INR 50L to INR 1.5 Crore, and you’re still competing in NEET-PG to get there. It is generally the best option for those Indian MBBS graduates who want to practice clinical medicine in Australia, specialise, earn while training, and work towards PR.

Pathway 2: Academic/Research PG Programs in Australia After MBBS

It is one of the common pathways where you can choose to study an academic or research-based course at one of the universities and colleges in Australia. So, you can consider doing PG courses in Australia after MBBS, with options such as MPH (Master of Public Health), Master of Medical Science, Master of Clinical Research, and PhD in Biomedical Science. The average tuition fees for these medical PG courses are around AUD 30,000 to AUD 70,000 per year.

One of the important things to know is that these programs do not give you medical practice rights in Australia. They’re for doctors who want to go into public health, research, academia, or global health policy, and not for those who want to work clinically. It is a suitable pathway for those doctors who are interested in research, public health, or academic medicine and those not looking for clinical practice rights in Australia.

Moreover, student visa holders in Australia are not permitted to study the Master of Surgery in Australia after an MBBS. Only a handful of Australian universities offer this program, and the visa pathway is complex. Always verify directly with the university before assuming this route is open to you.

AMC in Australia for Indian MBBS Graduates in 2026

To have a clinical pathway in Australia after doing MBBS, understanding what AMC, is crucial for international students. You need to pass the exams conducted by the Australian Medical Council to qualify for your medical education and practice clinical practice there. Here is a step-by-step process for you as an international medical graduate to do clinical PG in Australia after MBBS: 

Getting an MBBS Degree Verified

The first step for you is to get your MBBS degree verified through primary source verification. This is mainly done with the help of EPIC (Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials). Also, it is managed through the MyIntealth portal run by ECFMG (the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, based in the US). The process to get your MBBS verification is: 

• Create an EPIC account on MyIntealth
• Submit your MBBS degree 
• ECFMG contacts your medical college directly to verify it. 

It costs around USD 35 for EPIC registration. It is around INR 2,905 approx. Also, ECFMG credential verification costs around USD 110 (INR 9,130 approx) per credential, plus USD 110 for credential upload. This takes 4 to 12 weeks, depending on how responsive your college is.

Appear for English Language Proficiency

There are two English tests accepted, including IELTS and OET. The minimum IELTS Academic score required is around 7.0 overall, with no single band below 6.5. And, the OET (Occupational English Test) requires a minimum Grade B across all four components. Many Indian doctors in clinical settings prefer OET because it tests medical English specifically. 

Create AMC Portfolio

You need to create a candidate account at amc.org.au, set up your AMC Portfolio, and submit all required documents, including your EPIC verification status, English results, and passport. The AMC Portfolio setup fee is AUD 648, which is around INR 35,650. This is a one-time, non-refundable charge.

Pass the AMC CAT MCQ Exam Part 1

This is a Computer Adaptive Test in MCQ format, testing general medical knowledge at the level of a 4th-year Australian medical student entering internship. It’s available at Pearson VUE centres, which are located in multiple cities across India, so you don’t need to travel. The AMC CAT MCQ exam 1 costs AUD 2,920, which is around INR 1,60,600 per attempt. This fee was reduced from AUD 3,124 effective July 2024.

Clear AMC Clinical Examination Part 2

After clearing the AMC Part 1 exam, you need to complete the clinical assessment. It is an OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) where there are 16 total active stations covering the medical aspects, such as history-taking, physical examination, communication, counselling, ethics, and culturally safe practice. In 2026, it will only be conducted in person at the AMC Test Centre in Melbourne, Australia, which was previously available for online testing. Also, to pass this AMC clinical examination, you need to pass at least 9 out of the total stations, and it costs around AUD 3,000. 

An alternative to the Clinical Exam for IMGs who have already secured limited registration in Australia. Rather than a single exam day, WBA assesses clinical competence through structured workplace assessments in a supervised setting. This route requires a supervising doctor and an approved workplace; it’s not accessible from India but is worth knowing about if you’re already working in Australia.

Apply for AHPRA Provisional Registration

The next step for you is to apply for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency for registration to be able to practice as a doctor in Australia. The common documents required include the AMC certificate, EPIC verification, English language results, passport, health declaration, etc. 

Complete 12 Months Supervised Practice

With provisional registration, you’re now searching for your first Australian hospital position, which can be an Intern, Resident Medical Officer (RMO), or Junior House Officer (JHO). The minimum duration of the practice here must be at least 12 months’ full-time equivalent or at least 47 weeks FTE. Rotations typically include medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine. It is also crucial to understand that these positions for IMGs are competitive. 

Get AHPRA General Registration

After completing supervised practice, you apply for General Registration, which is a full, independent licence to practice anywhere in Australia, without supervision. This is the point from which speciality training begins.

Also Read: Top Veterinary Courses in Australia for International Students

Types of Medical PG Courses in Australia After MBBS

As we have already discussed the clinical pathway you can pursue for practicing medicine in Australia after MBBS in India, now let’s discuss some of the PG courses you can undertake in Australia after completing MBBS in India. It is crucial to understand that not all “PG in Australia” options are the same, and this is where many Indian doctors get confused. There are broadly three different types of options you can choose from for:

PG Courses in Australia	Types
Clinical or Surgical Courses	Master of Surgery (MS) Master’s in Advanced Surgery
Research or Doctoral Courses	Doctor of Medicine (MD)  Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Non-Clinical Courses	Master of Public Health (MPH) Master of Health Administration Master of Clinical Medicine Master of Nutrition & Dietetics Master of Rehabilitation, Counselling & Mental Health

Note: It is also crucial to understand that if you’re on a student visa from India, you cannot enrol in the Master of Surgery program. This restriction is official. The MS pathway in Australia is designed for doctors who have completed their MBBS from Australian or New Zealand institutions. Always verify directly with the university before assuming otherwise.

Eligibility for Medical PG in Australia After MBBS from India

The eligibility requirements for Indian doctors can vary significantly for PG in Australia, depending on the pathway they want to follow. We have mentioned the eligibility criteria for different medical PGs in Australia after completing an MBBS from India for aspirants: 

Clinical Pathway (AMC)

Requirement	Details
Academic Qualification	MBBS from an NMC-recognised university
Work Experience	It is not mandatory for AMC exams
Entrance Exam	AMC CAT MCQ + AMC Clinical Exam
English Requirement	IELTS 7.0 or OET Grade B
Student Visa Permitted	Yes, if you want to go for the AMC pathway
NEET-PG Required	No

MD or Medical Research Programs

Requirement	Details
Academic Qualification	MBBS from a recognised university
Work Experience	It can vary as per the university
Entrance Exam	GAMSAT or MCAT
English Requirement	IELTS 6.5 to 7.0
Student Visa Permitted	Yes
NEET-PG Required	No

Master of Surgery

Requirement	Details
Academic Qualification	MBBS from an Australian or New Zealand medical university. International medical graduates from any other country are not eligible for the Master of Surgery courses in Australia.
Work Experience	You need to have worked for a minimum of 2 years as a Medical Officer
Entrance Exam	GAMSAT or MCAT
English Requirement	IELTS Band 7 (all components)
Student Visa Permitted	No
NEET-PG Required	No

Things to Consider for Eligibility Requirements

• Your MBBS GPA/performance does matter for MD program admissions; most universities expect consistent academic standing, not just a passing degree
• For the Master of Surgery, you also need to have completed Part 1 of a specialist training program or an equivalent qualification
• First Aid certification is required by some universities as part of clinical compliance

Top Universities for Medical PG in Australia in 2026

It is also improtant to choose the right university in AUstralia as an Indian doctor that also offers your chosen medical PG course there. We have mentioned the top universities in Australia for MS and Master of Surgery courses, which Indian medical graduates can consider: 

Top Universities in Australia for MD (Doctor of Medicine) Courses 

Here are the 8 universities in Australia that offer MD courses for international medical graduates: 

• University of Melbourne
• University of Sydney
• UNSW Sydney
• Monash University
• Deakin University
• University of Queensland
• University of Western Australia

Top Universities in Australia for Master of Surgery Courses

Check out the universities in Australia through the points below that offer Master of Surgery courses: 

• University of Melbourne
• University of Sydney
• Monash University
• University of Notre Dame

MD programs in Australia cost approximately AUD 80,000 per year for international students. Master of Surgery runs to roughly AUD 112,000 total for the full program. These are university-based programs with tuition fees, distinct from the salaried AMC clinical pathway.

Salary and Career Scope After Medical PG in Australia in 2026

Understanding the salaries you are going to earn after completing your PG courses in Australia helps you to understand the ROI as well as how lucrative your career can be in this field. So, we have mentioned a table below that includes the average salary and career scope for international medical graduates after medical PG in Australia per year. Check these out for reference: 

Specialty	Average Salary (AUD)	Average Salary (INR)
Neurosurgeon	AUD 600,000	INR 3.3 Cr+
Surgeon (General)	AUD 395,000	INR 2.17 Cr
Anaesthetist	AUD 386,100	INR 2.12 Cr
Internal Medicine Specialist	AUD 305,000	INR 1.68 Cr
General Practitioner	AUD 200,000 to AUD 350,000	INR 1.1 Cr to INR 1.92 Cr
Other Medical Practitioners	AUD 223,000	INR 1.23 Cr

Note: The ROI for medical PG in Australia is strong. Even at an intern level, you earn an average of around AUD 75,000 to AUD 95,000 per year. This also means that you’re earning more than most senior specialists in India’s government sector. By the time you reach consultant level, the gap becomes almost incomparable.

FAQs

Related Reads: 

Top Courses in Australia to Make a Successful Career	Best Graphic Design Courses in Melbourne 2024
Paramedical Courses in Australia for International Students: A Detailed Guide	Universities in Australia with High Acceptance Rate for International Students
Cheapest University in Melbourne for International Students	List of Top Regional Universities in Australia

Gain essential knowledge about the Medical PG After MBBS in Australia 2026 as an Indian doctor. Stay connected with Leverage Edu for the latest updates and insights!