Moving to Australia as an allied health clinician
The practical side of the move, by country and by topic. Every figure comes from an official source with the date we checked it.
- Bringing your cat or dog to Australia: what your country's group meansPet import groups for the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, South Africa and NZ: permits, the 180-day rule, Mickleham quarantine at A$53 a day, and lead times.
- Choosing a recruiter for your move to Australia: 8 questions for OTs, speech pathologists and physiosEight questions for any recruiter, us included: fees, Queensland's information statement, who gives visa advice, sponsor costs and your Fair Work rights.
- Choosing your first Australian employer: what OTs, speech pathologists and physios moving from overseas should checkWhat to ask your first Australian employer when you're moving from overseas: what your route needs, sponsor questions, settling-in support and red flags.
- Converting your driver licence in Queensland: what your country needsNon-learner UK, Irish, US, Canadian and NZ car licences transfer in Queensland with no tests. South African ones need both. Plus the 3-month resident rule.
- Cost of living in Brisbane on an OT, speech pathologist or physio salary (2026–27)A monthly Brisbane budget from Queensland Health HP3 take-home (about A$5,540 a month): 50c transport, A$1,988 power cap, childcare without CCS, and rent.
- Do you pay a recruiter to work in Australia? Who pays which costs in an OT, speech pathology or physio moveQueensland recruiters can't charge clinicians here temporarily, and sponsors can't sell sponsorship. Every cost in an OT, speech or physio move and who pays.
- How we help OTs, speech pathologists and physiosHow we help OTs, speech pathologists and physios move to Australia or find their next role: the pathway check, a call, and introductions. Free to clinicians.
- Medicare and health cover for clinicians moving to Australia, by countryUK, Ireland, NZ, USA, Canada and South Africa compared: Medicare under reciprocal agreements, condition 8501 cover rules, ambulance and the MLS.
- Moving to Australia from Canada: a guide for occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and physiotherapistsNo Medicare for Canadians on a temporary visa, CRA departure tax, the CPP agreement, your licence, pets and pay, plus each profession's route in brief.
- Moving to Australia from India, the Philippines or elsewhere: the longer route for OTs, speech pathologists and physiosTrained outside the UK, Ireland, NZ, USA, Canada or South Africa? OT portfolio, SPA's OSQCA and physio APEP or FLYR: steps, English and fees. Checked Oct 2026.
- Moving to Australia from Ireland: a guide for OTs, speech and language therapists and physiosIrish citizens can apply for a working holiday visa at 18 to 35. Health cover gaps, Revenue's split-year rule, PRSI and pensions, CORU, your licence and pay.
- Moving to Australia from New Zealand: a guide for OTs, speech-language therapists and physiosNZ citizens get a Special Category visa on arrival. What decides your start: Trans-Tasman (OT, physio) or the SPA MRA (speech), then Medicare and KiwiSaver.
- Moving to Australia from South Africa: a practical guide for OTs, speech therapists and physiosNo working holiday, an English test, SAPS clearance, ceasing SARS residence, no Medicare, licence and pet rules, and rand vs QLD Health pay. Checked Oct 2026.
- Moving to Australia from the UK: a practical guide for OTs, speech and language therapists and physiosA UK move for OTs, SLTs and physios: who assesses you, working holiday rules, Medicare, licence, tax, super, UK pensions and pets. Checked Oct 2026.
- Moving to Australia from the USA: a guide for occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and physical therapistsUS SLPs use the SPA MRA; OTs need a listed program; PTs from TX, MA or CA programs use FLYR. Visas, US tax abroad, health cover, licence, pets and pay.
- Renting in Queensland from overseas: applications, bonds and the short-stay-first planQueensland caps bonds at 4 weeks' rent and bans rent bidding. What a landlord can ask for on Form 22 when you have no Australian rental history.
- Skills assessment for OT, speech pathology and physio: OTC vs SPA vs APCOTC, SPA and APC side by side: fees (A$800, A$825 or A$2,000, A$1,674), published times, documents, English, outcomes, and how each differs from registration.
- Super on a temporary visa, and claiming it back when you leave (DASP), for OTs, speech pathologists and physios12% super on top of salary, how to claim it back as a DASP when you leave, the 35%, 45% and 65% tax rates, and the rules for moving foreign super here.
- Tax in your first year in Australia, for OTs, speech pathologists and physiosHow the ATO's residency tests treat 417/462, 482 and PR holders, working holiday maker rates, the part-year tax-free threshold, your TFN and the Medicare levy.
- What changed in 2026 for overseas OTs, speech pathologists and physiosA dated log of official 2025–26 changes for overseas OTs, speech pathologists and physios: fees, award pay, QH rates, English, visas, NDIS, the Qld agents code.
- Who can help you move to Australia as an OT, speech pathologist or physio? Who does what, what it costs, and whenWho does what in a move: Ahpra, SPA or the Physio Council, registered migration agents, recruiters, sponsors, the ATO and Medicare. What each costs, and when.
- Your first 30 days in Queensland: a checklist for OTs, speech pathologists and physiosAn ordered checklist for OTs, speech pathologists and physios: TFN, bank account, Medicare, licence, Ahpra or SPA details, super choice and provider numbers.
General information only, not migration or legal advice. Visa advice should come from a registered migration agent (we work alongside them). Registration decisions are made by Ahpra and the professional bodies, not by us. Fees and rules change: check the linked official source before you rely on a figure.