Processing of visas for doctors in Queensland

Letter to the editor – Townsville Bulletin
24 February 2010

It is disingenuous to include the Department of Immigration and Citizenship in your criticism of ‘red tape’ (Red tape ties up new docs, 20/2/10) holding back international medical professionals from working in Queensland (or anywhere in Australia).
Your story claims international medical professionals are being lost to other states due to bureaucratic delays imposed by government agencies, including this department.
It is up to the medical registration board within each state and territory to ensure medical professionals are appropriately registered to treat patients.
This department can only grant visas when the applicant can show they have been appropriately registered with the relevant state or territory medical registration body. This requirement applies to all medical practitioners, regardless of where they are in Australia. There are no extra requirements for applicants from Queensland.
I am sure you're not advocating that this department compromise its responsibility in this regard and jeopardise the health of all Australians by providing visas to unregistered medical practitioners.
Sandi Logan
National Communications Manager
Department of Immigration and Citizenship