One in three Australian doctors trained overseas, facing migration cuts
Thirty per cent of Australian doctors trained overseas; migration cuts would damage hospitals and rural clinics.
Australia's doctors are warning that cuts to migration could damage the health system's ability to function, especially in hospitals and regional areas. Thirty per cent of all doctors and more than 40 per cent of GPs trained overseas.
More than half of intensive care specialists come from abroad. Many international medical students are studying in Australia on student visas.
Rural areas rely far more heavily on overseas-trained doctors. Some regions have no local doctor available.
Nurses and aged care workers also rely on overseas recruitment. Migrants make up more than 50 per cent of aged care staff.
SA AMA President Associate Professor Peter Subramaniam said overseas doctors are not just filling gaps. They are actually holding up the health system.
If migration is restricted, experts warn the health system will not bend but break.
- 30 percent
- Overseas-trained doctors
- 40 percent
- Overseas-trained GPs
- More than 50 percent
- Intensive care specialists from abroad
- More than 50 percent
- Aged care migrant staff
Why it mattersRestricting migration could leave hospitals short-staffed, rural clinics without doctors, and aged care under greater pressure as Australia ages.
AustraliaAustralia relies on migrants for one-third of its doctors and half its aged care workers; immigration restrictions could leave hospitals and regional areas short-handed.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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