Doctor
Medical practitioners (often referred to as ‘doctors’) play a critical role in providing high-quality health care for Australians and are responsible for:
• diagnosing and treating physical and mental illnesses, disorders, and injuries
• recommending preventative action
• referring patients to specialists, other health care workers, and social, welfare and support workers.
Doctors in Australia complete at least 4 years in a university or accredited medical school followed by a compulsory 12-month internship. Most doctors then spend several years training in a medical specialty, such as general practice, surgery or psychiatry.