Peace of mind for IMGs: Why you may need your own medical indemnity cover
Thursday, 10 July 2025

As an international medical graduate (IMG) working in Australian public hospitals, there’s a lot to navigate in adjusting to our healthcare system. One issue you may not have considered is the extent of your employer’s medical indemnity insurance cover, and whether you might need your own professional indemnity policy.
Why do I need separate indemnity cover if my hospital employer provides it?
When you work in a public hospital, your employer generally indemnifies you against civil claims, such as those seeking compensation or damages from patients relating to the healthcare you provide in the hospital. But it may not cover all the areas of medico-legal risk you are exposed to, including:
- disciplinary, coronial, and criminal investigations
- a contract dispute with your employer
- any private practice or locum work.
How working in public vs private hospitals affects your indemnity cover
In the Australian healthcare system, hospital services are either publicly or privately funded and managed. Private hospitals include both for-profit and not-for-profit organisations, while funding for public hospital services is shared by the Australian Federal Government, along with state and territory governments.
To practise medicine in either a public or private hospital, you require medical indemnity insurance to cover you against claims of negligence. And as we’ve seen, while you’re typically covered to a degree as a public hospital employee, there may be gaps in your cover which you may not be aware of.
Medical indemnity cover provides greater protection
Having your own medical indemnity insurance works to fill the gaps in your indemnity cover, for greater peace of mind when you practise.
A policy such as Avant’s Practitioner Indemnity Insurance Policy provides up to $2 million cover* for legal fees and other expenses including:
Public liability – cover for when you’re providing healthcare as a contractor and working in a premises that you don’t own or control.
Registration board and disciplinary matters – for example the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) or Medical Board.
Coronial inquiries – cover to respond to a coronial inquest or enquiry following a patient death.
Employee, employer or visiting medical officer disputes – cover to defend or pursue a complaint related to your employment contract
Hospital inquiry defence – cover for matters brought against you by a hospital relating to the healthcare you provided to a patient of that hospital.
Unpaid healthcare – cover for unpaid healthcare you provide where you’re not indemnified by your employer or another insurer, including Good Samaritan acts.
More than just indemnity cover, Avant supports your needs as an IMG
In addition to unrivalled protection from Australia’s largest specialist in-house medico-legal team#, Avant Law Medical Indemnity, Avant members have access to:
Personalised support from our Medico-legal Advisory Service experts, 24/7 in emergencies.
Industry-leading insights and resources including webinars, factsheets and CPD courses.
Risk Advisory Services, to help identify and mitigating your medico-legal risks.
Personal and professional support – from life insurance advice and health insurance, to travel cover, plus legal and finance services for every aspect of your life.
Loyalty rewards, such as premium discounts, for eligible Avant members.
Learn more about how Avant’s expert protection and support helps IMGs like you to secure your hospital career.
Useful resources
International Medical Graduate (IMG) - Education collection
*Offer, policy and eligibility criteria apply, available here. Cover is subject to underwriting approval.
Professional Indemnity insurance products are issued by Avant Insurance Limited ABN 82 003 707 471 AFSL 238 765 (Avant), a public company incorporated in Australia. Avant is an Australian general insurer that is regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), and subject to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) dispute resolution scheme. This advertisement is intended for Australian residents only and does not constitute financial or personal advice. The information provided by Avant is general advice only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation and needs. You should consider these, having regard to the appropriateness of the advice before deciding to purchase or continue to hold these products. For full details including the terms, conditions, and exclusions that apply, please read and consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or policy wording, which are available at www.avant.org.au or by contacting Avant Insurance on 1800 128 268.
#Legal services are only available in Australia and are provided in accordance with the applicable state and territory legislation governing Australian Legal Practitioners. Legal services are provided by Avant Law Pty Limited (Avant Law), Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Legal practitioners employed by Avant Law are members of the scheme.
More ways we can help you
Our CPD courses for Avant members
Tick off some CPD hours and learn more with our in-depth eLearning courses, free for Avant members. Our courses include education activities, reviewing performance and measuring outcomes.