Are you a recent medical graduate, poised to translate years of rigorous academic study into life-changing clinical practice? Are you seeking a world-class, structured, and supportive environment to begin your professional journey? Queensland Health invites you to apply for our prestigious Medical Internship Program.
This program is your essential gateway to becoming a fully registered medical practitioner in Australia. We are committed to fostering the next generation of medical leaders and offer an unparalleled training experience across one of the world’s most diverse and extensive public healthcare systems. Spanning from bustling metropolitan trauma centres like the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital to vital rural generalist hubs in the heart of our communities, our program provides a breadth and depth of experience that is second to none.
For international medical graduates, this program represents a structured and fully supported pathway to achieving general registration with the Medical Board of Australia (Ahpra).
We understand the unique challenges you face and have a dedicated framework of support to ensure your successful transition into the Australian healthcare system. This is more than an internship; it is the foundation upon which your entire medical career will be built.
The Queensland Health Internship Program: A Comprehensive Overview
Our internship program is meticulously designed to facilitate your transition from medical student to a competent, confident, and compassionate doctor. The core philosophy of our program is centred on structured, supervised, and practical work-based learning. You will not just observe; you will actively participate in patient care, progressively increasing your level of responsibility within a safe and supportive clinical governance framework.
From day one, you will be guided by a dedicated network of senior clinicians. Each training hospital has a Director of Clinical Training who oversees the entire intern program, acting as a key mentor and advocate for your educational and professional needs. On each rotation, you will be assigned a Term Supervisor who will provide direct supervision, regular feedback, practical teaching, and formal assessment. This multi-layered support system is designed to ensure you receive constant guidance and constructive feedback, helping you identify your strengths and develop areas for growth.
We recognise that the intern year is a period of significant personal and professional development. Therefore, our program integrates formal education sessions, including weekly intern-protected teaching time, grand rounds, and practical skills workshops, alongside your immersive clinical duties. We are dedicated to nurturing well-rounded practitioners who are not only clinically excellent but also resilient, communicative, and committed to lifelong learning.
Core Responsibilities of a Medical Intern
As a Medical Intern with Queensland Health, you are an integral member of the clinical team. Your responsibilities will be diverse and will evolve as you gain experience throughout the year. Under the supervision of senior medical staff, you will be expected to:
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Patient Assessment and Management: Take comprehensive patient histories, perform thorough physical examinations, formulate differential diagnoses, and develop evidence-based initial management plans. You will be responsible for presenting patient cases on ward rounds and contributing to multidisciplinary team meetings.
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Clinical Procedures: Develop proficiency in performing essential medical procedures, such as intravenous cannulation, arterial blood gas sampling, venepuncture, urinary catheterisation, and basic wound management. All procedures are performed under appropriate supervision until competency is demonstrated.
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Communication and Teamwork: Effectively and empathetically communicate with patients and their families, explaining diagnoses, management plans, and prognoses understandably. You will liaise closely with nursing staff, allied health professionals, and other medical teams to ensure coordinated, patient-centred care and facilitate safe and effective clinical handovers.
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Documentation and Administration: Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive medical records in line with legal and professional standards. You will be responsible for writing admission notes, progress notes, discharge summaries, and ordering appropriate investigations and medications through our electronic medical record systems.
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Professional Development and Education: Take ownership of your learning by actively participating in all scheduled educational activities. You will be expected to engage in self-directed learning to expand your clinical knowledge, seek regular feedback from your supervisors, and apply this feedback to continuously improve your practice.
The Rotational Structure
The 12-month program is structured into a series of clinical rotations, ensuring you gain the broad foundational experience required by the Medical Board of Australia. This structure is designed to expose you to a wide range of clinical scenarios and patient demographics.
All interns must satisfactorily complete the following core rotations:
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A term of at least 8 weeks in Emergency Medical Care: Develop critical skills in the assessment and management of undifferentiated, acutely ill patients.
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A term of at least 10 weeks in Medicine: Gain in-depth experience in managing patients with complex and chronic medical conditions in an inpatient setting.
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A term of at least 10 weeks in Surgery: Experience the principles of pre-operative, peri-operative, and post-operative surgical care.
Beyond these core terms, you will undertake a range of other approved rotations to complete your 47 weeks of accredited service. These rotations offer invaluable exposure to diverse specialities, which may include Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, General Practice, Geriatrics, Rehabilitation Medicine, and various medical or surgical sub-specialities. Rotations are available across Queensland Health’s vast network of accredited training hospitals, providing opportunities to experience healthcare in major metropolitan centres, thriving regional cities, and unique rural communities.
Essential Skills and Attributes for Success
We are seeking candidates who not only possess a strong academic foundation but also demonstrate the personal attributes essential for a successful medical career.
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Clinical Knowledge: A robust and integrated understanding of the medical sciences and clinical principles acquired during your medical degree.
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Exceptional Communication Skills: The ability to communicate with empathy, clarity, and respect with patients, their families, and all members of the healthcare team.
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Problem-Solving & Clinical Reasoning: A logical and analytical approach to clinical problems, with the ability to synthesise information from multiple sources to arrive at a safe and effective management plan.
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Resilience and Adaptability: The capacity to thrive in a high-pressure, dynamic clinical environment, manage stress effectively, and adapt to changing priorities.
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Unwavering Professionalism and Ethics: A deep and demonstrable commitment to ethical medical practice, patient confidentiality, personal integrity, and a respect for cultural diversity.
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Collaborative Spirit: A genuine desire to work as an effective and reliable member of a multidisciplinary team, understanding the value and contribution of every role.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
To be eligible for a medical internship with Queensland Health, applicants must meet the following mandatory criteria:
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Medical Degree: You must have graduated from a medical school accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) or a university deemed substantially comparable.
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International Medical Graduates: You must have completed both the AMC Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) MCQ (Part 1) and the AMC Clinical Examination (Part 2) before application.
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English Language Proficiency: You must provide documentary evidence that you meet the Medical Board of Australia’s English Language Skills Registration Standard.
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Recency of Practice: You must be a recent graduate, having completed your medical degree within the two years before the commencement of the internship year.
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Registration: You must be eligible for limited registration as a medical practitioner (for internship) with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRRA).
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Visa & Work Rights: You must be an Australian Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident, or New Zealand Citizen, or hold a valid visa that permits you to work unrestricted in Australia for the full 12-month duration of the internship contract.
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Commitment: You must be available to commence the internship on the mandatory start date in January 2026 and be able to fulfil the requirements of the 12-month, full-time equivalent contract.
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Previous Experience: You must NOT have previously commenced or completed a medical internship in Australia or any other country.
Compensation, Benefits, and Support
Queensland Health offers a highly competitive and comprehensive package for our Medical Interns.
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Competitive Salary: Remuneration is by the prevailing Medical Officers’ (Queensland Health) Award. The current average annual salary is approximately AUD 79,500, with a typical range between $68,000 and $86,000, dependent on the specific hours and shifts rostered.
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Superannuation: A mandatory employer contribution to your nominated retirement savings fund (currently 12.75% of your salary).
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Allowances and Penalties: You will receive additional payments and penalty rates for shift work, on-call duties, and any overtime worked, as stipulated by the Award.
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Leave Entitlements: You will be entitled to professional development leave, annual leave, and personal/carer’s leave.
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Wellbeing Support: You will have free and confidential access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for wellbeing and counselling support.
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Professional Indemnity Insurance: You are provided with professional indemnity coverage through Queensland Health for all duties undertaken as part of your employment.
How to Apply and The Recruitment Process
The annual recruitment campaign for our Medical Internship Program is a coordinated, statewide process.
Applications for the 2026 intake are anticipated to open in May. All applications must be submitted online via the official Queensland Health recruitment portal.
Ensure you have all required documentation prepared in advance, including proof of your medical degree, AMC examination results, English language proficiency test results, and evidence of your identity and eligibility to work in Australia. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
We look forward to receiving your application and potentially welcoming you to the Queensland Health team as you embark on this exciting and pivotal chapter of your medical career.
Program: Medical Internship (Postgraduate Year 1 – PGY1)
Duration: 12 months (Minimum 47 weeks full-time equivalent), commencing January
Salary: Approximately $68,000 – AUD 86,000 per annum (in line with the Medical Officers’ Award), plus superannuation and applicable allowances.
Job Details
- Minimum Qualification: Bachelor's Degree
- Experience Level: Internship
- Experience Required: No Experience Required
- Industry: Medical
- Benefits: Professional Indemnity Insurance, Wellbeing Support, Leave Entitlements, Allowances and Penalties, Superannuation, Competitive Salary
- Skills: Collaborative Spirit, Problem-Solving & Clinical Reasoning, Exceptional Communication Skills, Clinical Knowledge, English Language Proficiency