International medical graduates
Supporting you to be the doctor you want to be in Australia
I'm looking to practise healthcare in Australia
If you're qualified to practice healthcare in another country, before commencing healthcare practice in Australia, you must register with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (Ahpra). While you are waiting for your Ahpra registration you can apply for Avant Membership.
I am Ahpra registered and ready to practise in Australia
If you have already received your Ahpra registration, it's important to ensure your medical indemnity insurance is in place before commencing practise in Australia. Avant Membership provides professional career protection and helps you navigate the opportunities and challenges of practising in Australia.
I am looking to undertake a placement in Australia
It’s recommended you take out medical indemnity cover to protect you for claims, complaints or employment matters that may not be covered by your employer. Avant Membership will offer you protection against the key areas that may arise during your stay.
I am an international student or graduate in Australia
Avant is dedicated to supporting early career doctors, and our cover for students is free to assist you as you enter the profession. More information about your requirements for medical indemnity insurance and what Avant can offer you is available on our students page.
Complimentary Risk Advisory Services from Avant
The Risk Advisory Service (RAS) offers complimentary advice and resources to support overseas-trained doctors. The Avant Assist service is designed to proactively identify medico-legal risks and implement strategies to improve your practice.
Professional indemnity cover
Extensive $20 million cover for compensation claims against you, and for the costs to defend the claims.
Legal expenses cover
$2 million cover for coronial inquiries, complaints and investigations, and unpaid healthcare you provide – such as emergency assistance or volunteer work.
Treatment of public patients
Automatic cover for care and treatment provided to public patients, to the extent you are not otherwise indemnified.
Employment contract disputes
Defending you in disputes relating to your role as an employee or an employer.
"When I needed advice on a work issue, Avant was there for me. The professionalism and care provided at this time was helpful and reassuring. I know Avant has my best interests at heart."
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What is medical indemnity insurance?
Avant indemnity insurance policy provides cover for acts, errors or omissions you make in providing healthcare. This means if there is a complaint, claim, investigation or legal action made against you, then you can notify Avant. This includes being sued (i.e. litigation). The legal defence costs and any further costs such as damages you are required to pay due to a settlement or court order are paid by Avant, provided they fall within the scope of the policy.
Starting your journey to practise in Australia? Here are some common questions we get from IMGs and recently migrated doctors like you.
Yes — in Australia, having appropriate professional indemnity insurance is a requirement to practise medicine.
Medical indemnity protects you if something goes wrong in your professional practice — such as a patient complaint, legal claim, or medical board investigations. Avant provides medical indemnity insurance that includes expert legal support, advice, and protection across a wide range of scenarios.
Indemnity is the protection you receive if a claim is made against you.
Insurance is the financial product (your policy) that provides that protection. In Australia, medical indemnity is delivered through regulated insurance policies like those Avant offers.
Yes. While hospitals may provide some cover for your clinical work, this may not extend to things like:
- Medical Board complaints
- Employment disputes
- disciplinary, coronial and criminal investigations;
- a dispute with your employer regarding your professional conduct towards a hospitalised patient;
- pursuing indemnity from your employer’s insurer if they decline to assist you regarding a claim;
- threats to personal safety;
Avant can help you’re protected across all these situations and more. Avant hospital employed doctors - Avant
Before you start practising. It’s essential that you’re covered from day one, even if you’re working in the public system. You can apply for cover with Avant once you are registered to work in Australia.
Every health system is different. In Australia, doctors may face:
- Patient complaints to regulators
- Investigations by the Medical Board of Australia or the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra)
- Medicare billing investigations and audits
- Coronial inquiries (after a patient death)
- Disciplinary hearings (even from minor professional conduct issues)
- Employment disputes
With Avant, you’ll have access to experienced medico-legal experts who understand how to support doctors through these complex situations.
Your premium depends on several factors:
- Your specialty and healthcare that you provide
- Your level of risk (e.g., surgical specialties are higher risk)
- Your gross annual private billings, if you are also working in private practice as a locum etc.
As a new practitioner in Australia, you may be eligible for significant discounts. Avant can help you get a tailored quote.
Beyond comprehensive cover, Avant membership gives you access to:
- 24/7 medico-legal advice and support, in emergencies
- Discounts on employment contract reviews with Avant Law
- Risk management and education
- Support through regulatory and hospital processes
- Wellbeing programs
- A community of 90,000+ doctors across Australia
We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Avant provides a comprehensive suite of services tailored for IMGs, including:
- Medical indemnity insurance: Coverage for civil liability claims, disciplinary matters, Medicare audits, coronial inquests, public liability, and hospital inquiries.
- Legal assistance: Access to medico-legal experts for advice and support.
- Educational resources: An extensive range of materials to help navigate the Australian medical system.
- Contract review services: Discounts on expert legal advice on Australian employment contracts.
Avant has curated an extensive collection of educational materials to assist IMGs in understanding the Australian medical system. This includes an E-book designed to support recently migrated doctors. All the materials can be located at: International Medical graduate - Education Collection
Look for a provider who offers:
- Strong medico-legal expertise
- Comprehensive coverage tailored for the healthcare you provide
- Transparent costs and benefits
- Additional support services (like education, advice, and medico-legal advice)
- A track record of supporting IMGs
At Avant, we’ve helped thousands of international doctors successfully transition to practising in Australia. And we have over 90,000 students and doctors insured with Avant, more than any other MDO.
Avant Law offers a fixed-fee contract review service for IMGs, providing concise legal advice on key terms of Australian employment contracts. This service aims to give clarity and confidence to IMGs as they embark on their medical careers in Australia. For more information on this service, please refer to the Avant Law Personal Legal Services page.
Professional Indemnity insurance products are issued by Avant Insurance Limited (ACN 003 707 471, AFSL 238 765) (’AIL”), a public company incorporated in Australia. AIL is an Australian general insurer that is regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, and subject to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority dispute resolution scheme. This publication is intended for Australian residents only and does not constitute financial or personal advice. The information provided by AIL is general advice only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation and needs. You should consider these, and the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or policy wording (available at www.avant.org.au or by contacting Avant Insurance on 1800 128 268), having regard to the appropriateness of the advice before deciding to purchase or continue to hold these products
Legal services are provided by Avant Law Pty Ltd (ACN 136 429 153) (Avant Law). Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Legal practitioners employed by Avant Law are members of the scheme. Legal services are only available in Australia and are provided in accordance with the applicable state and territory legislation governing Australian Legal Practitioners. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Legal practitioners employed by Avant Law Pty Limited are members of the scheme.
© Avant Mutual Group Limited 2025