Working as a Doctor in Australia
Australia is an extraordinary destination in so many ways. In terms of day to day living, it is a prosperous, developed, modern country as regards health care, life expectancy and public education. Australia’s mobile broadband, ADSL internet and 3G coverage span the length and breadth of the continent providing high tech communication to 99% of the population. Its modern cities, townships and rural villages deliver excellent quality of life with a lower cost of living than most European locations. Add to this a politically and economically stable society and you are looking at a highly attractive destination.
Yet it is Australia’s diverse geography which is home to some of the world’s most stunning natural wonders that is its greatest asset. From the red rugged heart of Uluru rising steeply out of the desert to the world renowned beauty of the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of North Queensland; the cosmopolitan delights of our state capitals from Sydney to Perth and the quiet charm and freshness of Tasmania and rural Victoria, Australia offers something for every doctor yearning for a spot of adventure.
If you are reading this and considering a change of location, Australia will deliver an amazing working and life experience far away from the grey pollution of overcrowded cities. With almost 3 million square miles of vast country and less than 22 million residents, it won’t be hard to find a space to call your own.
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A Word about Medical Salaries in Oz
What can you expect to earn working as a doctor in Australia? Depending on which state you are working in, whether you are working in the public or private sector and what level of seniority you are, will ultimately dictate your final salary. However, each state’s Government has its own salary award for the public sector which typically is increased by 15 – 25% after overtime and on-call work.
As at the time of writing (October 2010), here is a link to a useful chart displaying the median salaries for doctors by state.
For more details about each state of Australia, please navigate through the flydown menu above or click on the links below:
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Working as a Doctor in New Zealand
If you have seen any of the Lord of the Rings movies, no doubt you have already fallen in love with the majestic scenery and breathtaking mountain ranges of New Zealand. Located in the south western pacific Ocean, New Zealand is comprised of two main islands, North Island and South Island. Together, the land mass of both islands is slightly more than the United Kingdom with a total population of just under 4.5 million residents.
New Zealand is known for its well developed and comprehensive healthcare system which is very similar to the National Health Service in the United Kingdom. In terms of living standards, British expatriates who have migrated to New Zealand give it the thumbs up over every other country and in fact Auckland has been rated as the fourth best place to live in the world and the highest in the entire Asia Pacific region.
Each island experiences quite different climates with North Island or Aotearoa (aka ‘the land of the long white cloud’) enjoying a mild temperate climate for most of the year and subtropical weather during summer. North Island is also home to several active volcanoes most notably the Taupo Volcanic Zone. This volcanic activity has created much of North Island’s unique geography including Lake Taupo which is Australasia’s largest freshwater lake.
South Island is renowned for its seasonal winter sports with Queenstown a popular destination year round as it offers a range of outdoor activities in beautiful Lake Wakatipu and the alpine region surrounding. Dominated by Mount Cook, the Southern Alps are popular with skiers and climbers and run the length of South Island, effectively dividing the island into wet and dry climate zones.
With a laid back lifestyle, heritage listed national parks, fantastic outdoor activities, world famous vineyards and quality local produce, New Zealand is full of magic, exceptional beauty… and bungee jumpers! Don’t forget to pack a sense of adventure and enjoy the all exhilarating experiences that this remote destination has to offer.
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A Word about Medical Salaries in NZ
What can you expect to earn working as a doctor in New Zealand? Unlike Australia, the New Zealand Government sets the salary rates for a specific medical job which is the same throughout the country. Doctors are paid for the hours of work they do and for the number of postgraduate years they have already worked. Overtime is paid for on-call work as an allowance which is calculated on the frequency of their call outs. Basic salaries start at approx NZ$65,000 for residents and can go up to NZ$240,000 for specialist consultants.
For more details about New Zealand’s islands, please navigate through the flydown menu above or click on the links below:
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