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Supporting International Medical Graduates into rural practice: Dr Integrity Mchechesi’s journey
20th July 2026
In May 2024, Dr Integrity Mchechesi first connected with Rural Doctors Network to enquire about opportunities to work in rural general practice.
Originally from Zimbabwe, Dr Mchechesi graduated with his medical degree in 2018 and had obtained permanent residency in Australia. He explains, “I was looking for a General Practitioner position outside Sydney, somewhere my wife, who is a physiotherapist, could also find work and where we could both see ourselves settling long term.”
Following his initial meeting with Rural Doctors Network, he was introduced to the medical workforce recruitment team, who worked closely with him to determine the most suitable pathway into rural general practice and support him in securing employment opportunities.
Throughout this process, the recruitment team not only supported Dr Mchechesi but also worked alongside interested practices, explaining the requirements involved in recruiting an International Medical Graduate (IMG) and navigating the necessary pathways and approvals.
The team proactively reached out to several practices on Dr Mchechesi’s behalf, advocating for his skills, experience and suitability for rural general practice before ultimately securing an interview opportunity with Dr Lerm’s Surgery in Woolgoolga. In August 2024, an interview was organised, marking an exciting milestone as Dr Mchechesi became the first IMG the practice was seeking to recruit.
The recruitment process included:
- an initial phone interview between Dr Lerm and Dr Mchechesi
- a face-to-face interview and site visit to Woolgoolga
Through Rural Doctors Network’s Site Visit Grant, Dr Mchechesi was able to travel to Woolgoolga to meet the team, tour the practice and explore the local community. The visit gave him the opportunity to experience the town firsthand and determine whether it would be a good fit both professionally and personally. Dr Mchechesi explains, “[the Site Visit Grant] gave us the opportunity to experience both the practice and the community before making such an important decision...that one-week visit gave us the confidence to make what we hope will be a long-term move.”
Equally important, the visit allowed Dr Lerm and the practice staff to get to know Dr Mchechesi in person and assess how he would integrate into the team and community. This stage of the recruitment process is incredibly valuable for both doctors and practices, helping to ensure long-term success by finding the right fit for both work and lifestyle.
Following the interview process, Dr Mchechesi was offered a position at Dr Lerm’s Surgery in October 2024. From there, he undertook several important steps in preparation for commencing practice in Australia, including:
- booking and successfully completing his Pre-Employment Structured Clinical Interview
- applying for limited registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Authority (AHPRA)
- relocating to Woolgoolga
Once AHPRA registration was granted, Rural Doctors Network was able to support the next stage of the process by applying for a provider number through the Pre-Fellowship Program.
Dr Mchechesi has now commenced work at the practice and Rural Doctors Network continues to support him through his transition into the rural medical workforce, including assistance with relocation grant support. Dr Mchechesi speaks on his experience with the recruitment team, saying, “having a dedicated contact at Rural Doctors Network who was always easy to reach by phone or email made the whole process much less stressful.”
Dr Mchechesi’s journey highlights the importance of collaboration between doctors, practices and support organisations in strengthening the rural medical workforce. Rural Doctors Network’s Medical Workforce Consultant, Michelle Hudson, speaks to this: “Dr Mchechesi’s story is a wonderful example of how tailored support and strong community connections can help IMGs successfully transition into rural general practice in Australia and become valued members of their local communities.”
The medical workforce recruitment team at Rural Doctors Network provides individually tailored recruitment support to eligible doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. They work with all practices and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in remote, rural and regional locations across New South Wales (NSW).
Rural Doctors Network’s service includes free end-to-end recruitment support, advice and knowledge on career pathways, aligning each person’s skills and experience to a workplace that best suits them.
As the Rural Workforce Agency for NSW, Rural Doctors Network administers the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s funded Pre-Fellowship Program, and the 5-Year International Medical Graduates Recruitment Scheme.
Get in touch today at recruit@rdnhealth.org or call 02 4924 8000.
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