Am I eligible?
English Language Proficiency
Pathways to registration in Australia
Area of Need
Australian Medical Council
The standards for medical education in Australia are set high. The Australian Medical Council (AMC), together with the specialist medical colleges, ensures that every overseas trained doctor (OTD) (also referred to as International Medical Graduates (IMGs)) working in Australia undergoes training equivalent to that undertaken by Australian trained doctors.
Please note that the information provided below is a guide only. Further information and guidance on the registration requirements needed to practice medicine in Australia will be supplied to you when you have successfully obtained a job offer. Alternatively, you may wish to visit the AMC website for more information.
English Language Proficiency
Australia requires that you demonstrate English language proficiency as a pre condition for medical registration.
If you are an Overseas Trained doctor (OTD), you must have completed and passed an English Language Proficiency test (which generally is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination in the Academic module), within the last two years.
Exemptions may apply when the applicant can provide evidence of secondary education in either UK, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, USA or South Africa, where English in the native or first language.
Currently, in Australia, you need to score a minimum overall score of 7.0 in IELTS with a minimum score of not less than 7.0 in each of the four components of the test.
Further information about the IELTS examination, including test centres, examination schedules, candidate information, application form and practice materials can be found on the IELTS website.
Pathways to registration in Australia
All medical boards in the Australian states and territories have implemented new registration requirements as part of a national assessment process. From 1 July 2008, all overseas trained medical applicants seeking registration will need to have either:
• an AMC Certificate of Advanced Standing (Competent Authority Pathway);
• passed the AMC Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) examination (Standard Pathway); or
• had their specialist qualifications assessed by the AMC/specialist Medical College Pathway.
For more information, please visit the AMC website.
Competent Authority Pathway
If you:
• hold a primary degree from the United Kingdom, Canada, United States of America, Ireland or New Zealand, or the equivalent licensing exams, such as the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board I and II, New Zealand Registration Examination, United States Medical Licensing Examination,
AND
• have completed a full year of supervised practice in one of these countries giving you eligibility for full registration with that country’s licensing authority, you will be eligible for "Advanced Standing" with the AMC and conditional registration.
Standard Pathway
This pathway allows OTDs to apply for special purpose/conditional registration in Australia in a non-specialist position. This pathway requires that you successfully pass the AMC Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) examination prior to being eligible to apply for initial professional registration in Australia.
Once you have a position you may then be eligible for general registration following a workplace based assessment process which varies between states and territories, or by completing the AMC Part II clinical exam.
Specialist Pathway
If you have completed a specialist training program in another country than Australia, you are eligible to have your qualifications assessed by the equivalent Australian specialist college.
The purpose of the college assessment process is to ensure that your training is equivalent to the standard of training expected from Australian trained specialists and to determine what, if any, additional requirements the college wishes you to undertake to gain fellowship in Australia.
Each college has its own set of guidelines about the assessment of OTDs and each case is assessed on an individual basis. If you are applying through the AON pathway (see below), this process is more focused on the qualifications and skills needed for the specific post for which you have applied.
Area of Need Pathway (AON)
An Area of Need policy exists in Australian states to encourage OTDs to work as specialists in regional, remote and rural areas. It is important to note that the Area of Need Pathway provides recognition as a specialist only in that specific position that you are accepting.
Australia-wide recognition of your qualifications is generally not granted until you complete the Overseas Trained Specialist pathway. The advantage of the Area of Need Pathway is that it allows you to work in Australia in a position that can be designed to meet the additional training needs required for fellowship and Australia-wide recognition.
Note that the Area of Need policy is not limited to specialists.
Australian Medical Council
All pathways start with an assessment by the AMC which involves verification of your medical qualifications. You can apply for an assessment via the AMC web site. It should be noted that the process can take a considerable time.
The AMC charges a fee for the initial verification process of specialist qualifications, which must be paid prior to you obtaining the necessary forms via the AMC web site. Assessment fees from the Specialist Colleges themselves vary but can be up to AU$7,000, depending on the College.
Related Pages
- GP Pathways
- National Accreditation and Registration Scheme
- Skills required/in demand in Australian general practice
- Medical FAQ
Aster Medical, providing a holistic, ethical recruitment service |
|---|
|
