Finding your first job in Australia as an International Medical Graduate (IMG) isn’t easy. For many, it’s the most challenging part of the AMC journey, especially if you’ve only passed the MCQ or have a clinical gap.
During a HEAL Q&A webinar, one IMG shared his honest experience: “I applied for 245 jobs. I only got six interviews. The sixth one finally worked,” said Dr Aarons Rogers, also a previous HEAL student. His story is one of persistence, strategy, and growth. Here are the key lessons from his journey, whether you’re still applying, preparing for interviews, or just starting to look.
You Might Not Get an Interview Right Away - and That’s Normal
After submitting over 200 job applications, Dr Aarons received just six callbacks. Although most of his early interviews were unsuccessful, each one helped him improve.
“I failed the first five. But I kept calling back to ask for feedback. That made all the difference.”
A key takeaway from Dr Aarons experience is to expect rejections, but treat each one as a learning opportunity. Many hospitals will give you feedback if you politely ask for it.
Your First Job Might Not Be in a Major City, And That’s OK
The webinar panel was unanimous: Rural and regional hospitals are more open to hiring IMGs, especially those with limited registration or no Australian experience. We suggest trying Queensland, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Regional Victoria, and Western Australia as your first attempts when applying for remote locations, as they will provide more favourable opportunities.
"80% of our workforce is made up of IMGs", one regional recruiter told the AMC in a stakeholder meeting. You only need your first opportunity to be outside a major city. Once you’ve gained experience, transitioning to metro roles becomes easier.
Passing the Clinical Exam Changes Everything
Dr Aarons noted that his job search flipped once he passed the Clinical exam.
“The first time, I applied for hundreds of roles. The second time, with Clinical and provisional registration, I applied to six and got four offers.”
Employers value provisional registration - it reduces their administrative burden and opens you up to roles requiring Level 2 supervision.
If you’re between MCQ and Clinical, don’t stop applying - but prioritise clinical preparation, too. It will significantly increase your job options.
Your CV and Selection Criteria Must Be Strong
Even with experience, you may be overlooked if your CV doesn’t clearly outline your training, clinical history, CPD, and AMC status.
A strong checklist of what to include for when you are compiling your CV together:
- Most recent experience first
- Include gaps (with explanation)
- CPD, observerships, publications
- AMC exam progress
- Referees (consultants or supervisors)
Persistence Is More Important Than Perfection
“Some days I felt like giving up. But every application was a step closer.”
The IMG journey isn’t always linear, but your resilience is one of your greatest assets. Prepare well, apply widely, and don’t take rejection personally.
Need help with your job applications or interviews? HEAL offers resources designed specifically for IMGs: