Many MBBS graduates abroad believe their only path in Australia involves passing the AMC exams and registering with AHPRA as practising doctors. But there are lucrative, sustainable, and respected alternative careers that don’t require full medical registration (or the AMC Clinical or Standard pathway). These roles allow you to use your medical knowledge, research skills, communication skills, or health sector experience, while avoiding the often long, expensive, and uncertain AMC route.
In this blog, we have mentioned the top 10 high-paying options, with up-to-date salary data, eligibility, demand, PR or visa implications, and tips.
Designation | Why it Pays Well+Demand | Eligibility or How to Transition (Without AMC) | Indicative Salary (AUD or Year) | PR or Visa, or Skilled Occupation List Status |
1. Health Informatics Specialist or Health Data Scientist | Demand for healthcare jobs is rapidly expanding due to the digitisation of healthcare. Specialised technical + domain knowledge combinations command high pay. | MBBS + short courses or postgraduate diploma or certificate in health informatics, MSL, HEOR or data science. Strong programming, statistics, or data analysis skills are helpful. | ~AUD 120,000–160,000+ depending on seniority and private vs public sector; in some senior roles, over AUD 200K. | Many roles are on state or territory skilled occupation lists; it depends on the job title (“Health Informatics Specialist,” “Clinical Data Analyst”, etc.). A graduate certificate or a master’s degree helps. |
2. Medical or Scientific Writing & Regulatory Affairs | Pharma companies, medical device manufacturers and CROs need writers to produce technical documents and training materials. They will help produce written materials in easy, structured language. | MBBS is a plus, especially with demonstrated writing or editing or published work or online portfolio. Short courses in regulatory affairs help. No clinical registration needed if not practising. | ~AUD 90,000–140,000 (mid-level). Senior regulatory roles may pay ~AUD 150,000+. | Usually needs a job offer; some roles are on MLTSSL or other skilled lists; employer sponsorship possible; good for visa applicants. |
3. Clinical Research Associate (CRA) or Project Manager (Clinical Trials) | Australia has many clinical trials (pharma, biotech), universities & private sector engage external CRAs or project management. These roles value medical or health knowledge plus project skills. | MBBS+possibly a graduate diploma in clinical research or project management; experience in research or trials helpful. | ~AUD 110,000–160,000+ for CRAs or clinical project managers, depending on complexity, seniority, and company. | Many roles qualify for skilled visas with sponsorship; sometimes, regional roles exist. |
4. Medical or Health Liaison or Medical Science Liaison (MSL) | Pharma or biotech companies need people who understand science and can communicate between R&D, sales, and healthcare providers. Strong demand. | MBBS helpful; may require additional pharmaceutical or business, communication, or MSL-specific training. Not practising doctors, so no clinical registration required if non-prescribing. | ~AUD 130,000–180,000+ in large metro areas; bonuses & travel perks often included. | On some skilled labels, employer sponsorship or visa pathways possible. May help with PR if occupation appears in relevant lists. |
5. Public Health Officer or Health Policy, or Epidemiology | Governments, NGOs, and health departments need experts to design policies, manage outbreaks, and assess community health. Growing demand since COVID-19 for tropical disease control, Indigenous health, etc. | MBBS + master’s in Public Health (MPH) or related; strong data or analytics, or communication skills. Clinical registration is not needed for policy roles. | ~AUD 100,000–150,000+, depending on seniority, location (metro vs rural). Some senior advisory roles pay higher. Indeed reports base for public health officers ~AUD 104,000. | Occupations often listed under skilled migration lists if “Public Health Officer,” “Health Promotion Officer,” etc. PR possible via employer sponsorship or state nomination. |
6. Health Administration or Hospital Management or Health Services Manager | Managing hospital operations, departments, budgets and logistics. These roles pay well, especially with experience and leadership. | MBBS or related health qualification + postgraduate qualification (Master of Health Administration or MHA or MBA). No clinical registration needed unless practising. | ~AUD 100,000–180,000+, depending on the size of the hospital or region; top roles in capital cities or large health networks are higher. | Many roles qualify for skilled visas with sponsorship; state government employers are often cooperative. |
7. Genetic Counsellor or Genetic Services | As genetic testing becomes more available, genetic counselling is in demand. The role involves explaining genetic risks, test results, and options to patients. | A candidate usually needs a qualified master’s in Genetic Counselling. MBBS helps, but non-clinical roles (counselling or advisory) are possible without clinical registration. | ~AUD 100,000–140,000+ depending on seniority and public vs private sector. | This occupation usually appears in skilled occupation lists; PR options may exist. |
8. Medical Laboratory or Pathology Scientist | Labs, pathology services, and diagnostic centres need skilled scientists. Non-clinical roles in analysis, quality control, and management. | A degree in medical laboratory science or biomedical science; sometimes postgrad; recognising or accrediting institutions is important. An MBBS may get you into fast-track or conversion programs. | ~AUD 90,000-130,000+, depending on role (senior scientist, manager). | Occupational lists often include “Medical Laboratory Scientist.” PR or sponsorship is possible. |
9. Transplant Coordinator or Organ Donation Coordinator | Coordination between donors, recipients, and surgeons; managing logistics, ethical and administrative tasks. Complex role, good pay. | MBBS or nursing or clinical experience is helpful, but more administrative or coordination skills are key. No need for full registration if the role is non-surgical and non-clinical. | ~AUD 110,000-160,000+, depending on role, location. | Niche role; may require employer sponsorship; may not always be on skilled occupation lists, but can contribute to PR via state nomination if you secure a job. |
10. Health Communication or Health Promotion or Health Education & Technology | NGOs, government agencies, and health tech startups hire people to develop health campaigns, public health messaging, patient education apps, etc. With the growth of digital health, telehealth, there are remote possibilities too. | MBBS helps, but is often not strictly needed; a degree or qualification in public health, health promotion, communications, or digital content is valuable. Strong communication or English or writing, or media skills. | ~AUD 90,000-130,000+ for mid-level; senior roles > AUD 140,000, especially in big cities or large agencies. | Often included in health promotion or health education roles in skilled lists; employer sponsorship possible; state nomination pathways can be leveraged. |
Additional Roles and Responsibilities
- Technical roles in health IT or the medical device industry (regulatory affairs, quality assurance, software validation)
- Bioinformatics or Genomics roles in research institutes or biotech firms
- Consulting (health management, policy, pharmaceuticals)
What the AMC or AHPRA Doesn’t Cover?
- Most of these roles are non-clinical. In the case of clinical-only roles, they are observational or admin work. These range from prescribing, diagnosing patients, or doing hospital rounds.
- They often don’t require registration with AHPRA’s Medical Board under the standard or specialist pathways. Instead, they may require registration or accreditation for other professions (e.g., medical science, laboratory science, regulatory affairs) or simply academic credentials.
- Visa or employer requirements may ask for relevant qualifications or recognition. But they do not take the full AMC Clinical or AMC exams if not practising medicine.
Is the Salary Good for Non-Clinical Jobs in Australia?
Non-clinical jobs in Australia offer incredible salary, work-life balance and ample room for growth. Let’s take a look at the salaries here:
- Public Health Officers in Australia earn around AUD 75000 and AUD 95000 per year, according to sources.
- For non-clinical roles with technical or managerial responsibilities (informatics, project management, regulatory), advertised packages often exceed AUD 150,000 in big cities, large private companies and regional areas where there’s a huge shortage.
Salaries differ significantly by state or territory (Sydney, Melbourne are higher than regional areas). By sector (private often pays more; biotech or pharma roles often include bonuses or incentives), and by seniority and responsibilities.
Visa, PR & Skilled Occupation List Implications
When choosing one of these roles, for IMGs, the following are key:
- Skilled Occupation Lists (such as the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), Skilled Occupation List, Regional Occupation List, etc.) determine which jobs are eligible for certain visa subclasses or state nominations. It is essential to check whether exact job titles are included.
- Employer Sponsorship: Even if your job is not on the top skill list, many of these roles allow employer sponsorship via visas like subclass 482 (temporary), leading potentially to permanent residency.
- State or Regional Nomination: Many states give priority or bonus points for jobs in regional or underserved areas. Some public health roles are more needed in rural or remote areas.
- Qualification Recognition: For roles in laboratory science, regulation, scientific writing, etc., ensuring the university or training you undergo is recognised (whether Australian or international) helps.
- English Language & License or Credential Checks: For any professional role, you’ll often need proof of English proficiency (IELTS/PTE/OET), criminal record checks, and sometimes accreditation in the relevant professional body.
Tips & Strategies to Transition Smoothly
- Map your existing skills: Identify what from your MBBS or earlier education is directly useful (anatomy, physiology, pathology, research, statistics, communication).
- Upskill where necessary: Short courses, post-graduate certificates, online master's (Public Health, HEOR, Health Informatics, MSL, Regulatory Affairs) are helpful to make you job-ready in your home country and abroad.
- Build a portfolio: For medical writing or liaison roles, a portfolio of writing or publications or any regulatory or communication work counts more than academic excellence alone.
- Network and get industry exposure: Internships, volunteering, research assistant roles; even remote or online roles help.
- Choose the right state: Some states have more demand (and pay) for certain roles; regional areas typically offer more incentives, sometimes a better rate for remote roles.
- Stay updated with Skilled Occupation Lists: These lists change periodically; what’s on the list now might not be later; plan according to what’s current. Use official sources like the Department of Home Affairs.
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Why These Roles Can Outperform Doing AMC + Clinical Work (Costs & Time Perspective)
| Factor | AMC or Clinical Doctor Pathway | Alternative Career Path (One of the Above Roles) |
| Time to qualification or registration | Very long: you may need AMC-1, AMC-2, supervised practice, internships or bridging, possibly years of waiting. | Much shorter: often 6 months to 2 years, including certificate or diploma or master’s, depending on role. |
| Cost | AMC + relocation + clinical experience costs + possibly living costs while obtaining supervised posts. | Lower upfront costs (tuition for certificates or master's), and many online options. |
| Risk & uncertainty | Even after clearing AMC, clinical job vacancies depend on competition, vacancies, and geography; clinical registration is strict. | Demand in many sectors is growing (informatics, public health, regulatory, etc.), with lower barriers. |
| Work-life balance | Clinical roles often have shift work, emergency calls, on-call, and higher stress. | Many non-clinical roles have more regular hours, more remote or hybrid flexibility. |
| Visa & PR risk | Clinical roles need clear registration and often specialist recognition; delays & uncertain recognition can slow PR. | Alternative roles, if they are on skilled lists, or employer sponsorship is possible, may lead to PR faster in many cases. |
Case-Based Study: For MBBS Graduates Looking for Jobs Without AMC
Here is a sample pathway you might take, to make this concrete:
- MBBS degree from abroad, internship completed
- Identify interest: e.g. Health Informatics.
- Enrol in a Graduate Certificate or Diploma in Health Informatics (preferably in G08): 6-12 months
- Start in an entry role: Data analyst or health data coordinator, or project assistant in clinical trials, or health departmen.t
- Build experience (2-3 years), possibly take a Master’s degree or further certifications (e.g., HL7, R, Python, machine learning, regulatory affairs)
- Move to mid-senior roles: Health Informatics Specialist, Program Manager, or in a private biotech or digital health compa.ny
- Leverage this employment for a skilled visa or state nomination for PR (depending on occupation being listed)
Expert Tips Before You Make a Move
- Whether your qualification (especially overseas ones) is recognised in Australia by appropriate bodies (for lab science, regulatory affairs, etc.).
- Whether the specific job title is on the visa-eligibility or skilled occupation list in your target state. Sometimes titles differ, and small nomenclature differences matter.
- The cost of living differences: Sydney or Melbourne is much more expensive. Working in regional areas might be far outskirts. However, due to more demand, they have higher pay and even more incentives.
- Tax, superannuation, benefits (bonuses, travel, remote allowances) – total remuneration matters.
- Ensuring you can legally work: get the correct visa, work rights, etc.
Always Keep a Track of Important Things Before Relocating Abroad
To Conclude With…
Pursuing a non-AMC path doesn’t mean settling for less. For MBBS graduates, many roles offer high salaries, good work-life balance, career growth, and pathways to PR or visa security. What matters is choosing a role that aligns with your strengths, investing in relevant upskilling, and strategically navigating visa or occupation list landscapes. With determination and planning, you can build a highly rewarding career in Australia without ever taking the full AMC Clinical exam.
