Breaking down the costs of moving to Australia.

The only thing that comes for free is nothing or something worthless! We all know every good thing comes with a cost, but the more we understand its value, the less we care about the cost.

For Indian medical graduates aspiring to practice medicine in Australia, the journey involves not only rigorous preparation but also careful financial considerations and planning. The first step in that direction is to understand the expenses associated with the Australian Medical Council (AMC) assessment process and the relocation to Australia. Building this understanding will help you plan your finances well.

The overall costs of the entire process may vary depending on the city one chooses, family structure, lifestyle choices, etc. In this article, we will be considering every possible cost that is involved; we’ll also be breaking down the costs and explaining them to our readers in detail. But before that, let’s briefly recap what AMC is.

Similar to the FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Exam) in India, the AMC is the assessment procedure conducted by the Australian Medical Council for assessing international medical graduates (IMGs). It involves the completion of the AMC CAT MCQ examination, the AMC clinical examination, and, for some, the AMC workplace-based assessment program.

In case you wish to explore AMC in detail, we have written an in-depth article on AMC; please read it here.

Let’s take a look at the costs: We have broken down the costs into two groups:

1. Costs related to the AMC exam and registration.

2. Expenses related to relocation.

AMC Registration and Exam Costs:

The AMC assessment process comprises several steps, each with associated fees. And you should also know that this is a one time investment. 

1. Registration with EPIC (Electronic Portfolio for International Medical Graduates): The Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC) offers primary-source verification of medical credentials related to medication education, training, and registration/license. The fee for this is roughly AU$321 (AU$196 AUD for account creation + AU$125 AUD per primary qualification) It roughly translates into INR 17,076/-.
2. AMC Portfolio Application Fee: The AMC Portfolio is an online application method. The entire process of application costs around AU$600 (INR 31,790/-).
3. CAT MCQ Examination Fee: The AMC Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) MCQ Examination is a computer-administered fully integrated, multi-choice question examination delivered in one sitting that lasts 3 and a half hours. The fee for this is AUD$2,100 (INR 1,12,000/-).
4. Clinical Examination Fee: Once you pass the AMC MCQ exam, you are then able to appear for the AMC clinical exam. The clinical exam assesses your skills in medicine, surgery, gynecology and obstetrics, pediatrics, and psychiatry. The fee for this is AU$2,500 (INR 1,33,000/-). 
5. Workplace based assessment fees: This assessment is specific to certain places where a person wants to work. The fee is, however, not compulsory and is just a matter of choice if someone wants to practice at a specific place. The fee for this is AU$1,000 AUD (INR 52,000/-). 
6. Medical Board Application Fee for Provisional Registration: AU$430 AUD (INR 22,700)

Items	Fee in AUD	Fee in INR	Is it compulsory?
Registration with EPIC	AU$321	INR 17,076/-.	Yes
AMC Portfolio Application Fee	AU$600	INR 31,790/-.	Yes
CAT MCQ Examination Fee	AUD$2,100	INR 1,12,000/-.	Yes
Clinical Examination Fee	AU$2,500	INR 1,33,000/-.	Yes
Workplace based assessment fees	AU$1,000 AUD	INR 52,000/-.	No. It depends on your choice.
Medical Board Application Fee	AU$430 AUD	INR 22,700/-.	Yes

Now let us look at the relocation expenses:

Once you pass the AMC exam, you will be moving to Australia to get a job and build your career and life there! This movement involves two types of expenses: one time and recurring. One time expenses include the cost of applying for visas, flights, and other documents. Recurring expenses include the cost of living in Australia, such as rent, food, and utilities.

One-time expenses include:

1. Visa Application Fees: General Skilled Migration (189, 190, and 491) may cost around AU$1,438 (INR 76,190) for skilled visa applications.
2. Flight Tickets: Approximately AU$1,000 (INR ~52,000/- approx) for a one-way ticket from India to Australia.
3. Furniture, Appliances, and Utensils: We always suggest starting with very basic stuff—things that are absolutely necessary to begin living with. Furnishing an apartment with basic essentials could cost around AU$1,000 (INR52,900). Also, it might be low or high depending on where you plan to stay. 

Recurring expenses include:

1. Accommodation: Rental costs vary depending on location and type of accommodation. A one-bedroom apartment in a major city could range from AU$1,500 to AU$2,500 per month. (INR80,000)
2. Living Expenses: Living costs in Australia can be slightly higher than in India. Monthly expenses for food, utilities, transportation, and other necessities could range from AU$1,000 to AU$1,500. (INR52,000)
3. Health Insurance: Overseas Health Cover (OHC) is mandatory for temporary visa holders. OHC premiums vary depending on age, coverage level, and health history. A basic health insurance would cost you around 70 to 80$AUD (INR 3900) per month.

Table of Relocation Expenses:

Items	Fee in AUD	Fee in INR	Category of Expense
Visa Application Fee	AU$1,438	INR 76,190/-	One time
Flight Tickets	AU$1,000  to $1,500	INR 52,000/-	One time
Furniture and Appliances	AU$1,000	INR 52,900/-	One time
Accommodation	AU$1,500 to AU$2,500.	INR 80,000/-	Recurring (Monthly)
Living Expenses	AU$1,000 to AU$1,500.	INR52000/-	Recurring (Monthly)

Total Estimated Costs

Combining the AMC assessment process costs and relocation expenses, the total estimated cost for an Indian medical graduate to appear in AMC and move to Australia could range from $15,000 AUD to $25,000 AUD, which approximately translates to 8 to 12 lac INR.

TABLE OF TOTAL EXPENSES:

Expense	Cost INR(Approx)
AMC registration and exam	INR 3,68,566
Visas and flights	INR 130,000
Furniture and appliances (Lifestyle)	INR 52,900
Accommodation	INR 80,000
Living costs	INR 52,000

Financial Planning and Support

To effectively manage these costs, Indian medical graduates can consider the following:

1. Savings and Budgeting: Start saving early and create a detailed budget to track expenses.
2. Seeking Financial Assistance: Consult with organizations or institutions that provide financial assistance to medical professionals relocating to Australia. These are usually NGOs that help their community with the assistance of relocation for studies or pursuing a career abroad.
3. Considering Part-time Work: Upon arrival in Australia, one can consider part-time work opportunities to supplement income and cover living expenses, especially in the initial phase of settlement.
4. Seeking Professional Guidance: Consult with immigration consultants or financial advisors for personalized guidance and support.

Therefore, by understanding the costs involved and implementing sound financial planning strategies, Indian medical graduates can embark on their journey to practice medicine in Australia with greater confidence and financial preparedness. However, one should not think about these costs in a negative way; in fact, these costs act as an investment towards a much more valuable outcome once a person gets there and starts practicing. Indian students can expect very high salaries there, which are many times higher than the costs incurred in the early phases.

Feel free to contact us regarding any information pertaining to above at : CoachMinister

Good luck 🙂