Career outcomes

Last Updated: 24 April 2023

Internship and registration

Following successful completion of the medical degree, graduates are eligible for provisional registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the Medical Board of Australia. After serving a compulsory internship year of residence in an approved hospital, you become eligible for final registration in Victoria and other states of Australia.

International students cannot be guaranteed an internship in Australia. The faculty is not responsible for the placement of students in post graduation intern positions. In recent years some international students have been permitted to complete their internships in Australia, however the faculty has been informed that such positions are to become less likely in the future.

Career options

The career of a doctor involves further training beyond the medical degree. For graduates who wish to become specialists, training is available within the major teaching hospitals. Successful completion of this training entitles the doctor to fellowship of one of the specialist colleges (e.g. the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons), and the right to practice as a specialist.

Medical specialities

  • Internal Medicine (Physician): the diagnosis and treatment of people with medical complaints including those of the heart, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, joints, endocrine glands, nervous system, infectious diseases, blood system, kidneys, genitourinary tract and problems associated with geriatrics.
  • Cardiology: The diagnosis and treatment of people with acute coronary and chronic cardiovascular problems including hypertension, rheumatic and congenital heart disease.
  • Pathology: the diagnosis and understanding of disease processes.
  • Emergency Medicine: the diagnosis and management of acute and urgent aspects of illness and injury.
  • Dermatology: the diagnosis and treatment of people with diseases of the skin.
  • General Practice: GPs provide primary, continuing and comprehensive medical care to individuals, families and communities.
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology: involves caring for women before, during and after childbirth and covers the treatment of diseases and abnormal conditions of the female reproductive system.
  • Ophthalmology: the diagnosis and treatment of defects and diseases in the eyes.
  • Paediatrics: the diagnosis and treatment of illness in babies, children and adolescents.
  • Psychiatry: the diagnosis and treatment of people with mental and emotional disorders.
  • Radiology: the use of X-rays and other imaging modalities to diagnose and treat certain medical conditions.
  • Surgery: involves diagnosis and "hands-on" surgical procedures. There are now many sub-specialities such as orthopaedic surgery and vascular surgery.