10/4/2020 Medical Board of Australia - International medical graduates (IMGs)

International medical graduates (IMGs)

Assessment pathways to registration for international medical graduates
International medical graduates (IMGs) whose medical quali cations are from a medical school outside of Australia or New Zealand and who are seeking
registration to practise medicine in Australia must provide evidence of eligibility to undertake one of the following assessment pathways:

Competent Authority pathway 

Standard pathway, or 
Specialist pathway   

The assessment process assesses the knowledge and clinical skills of IMGs seeking to qualify for medical registration in Australia.  

The Competent Authority pathway

The Competent Authority pathway is for overseas-trained non-specialists, but is also available to specialists, including general practitioners. This pathway
leads to general registration.

IMGs who have passed recognised examinations or have completed training through a Board approved competent authority, can apply for assessment under
this pathway.

IMGs applying for the Competent Authority pathway should apply directly to the Medical Board of Australia (the Board) for provisional registration.

Learn more about the Competent Authority pathway (https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/Registration/International-Medical-Graduates/Competent-Authority-

Pathway.aspx).

The Standard pathway

The Standard pathway is for IMGs seeking general registration with the Board. This pathway applies to IMGs who are not eligible for the Competent Authority
pathway or the Specialist pathway.

IMGs who have a primary quali cation in medicine and surgery awarded by a training institution recognised by both the Australian Medical Council
(http://www.amc.org.au/assessment/list-of-medical-schools) and the World Directory of Medical Schools (https://search.wdoms.org/) (WDOMS) can apply for
assessment under this pathway.

IMGs applying for the Standard pathway should apply directly to the Australian Medical Council (AMC).

IMGs must pass the AMC CAT MCQ Examination before they can apply to the Board for registration.

Learn more about the Standard pathway (https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/Registration/International-Medical-Graduates/Standard-Pathway.aspx).

The Specialist pathway

The Specialist pathway is for the following IMGs: 

overseas-trained specialists applying for assessment of comparability to the standard of a specialist trained in that specialty in Australia (specialist
recognition), and
overseas-trained specialists applying for an area of need specialist level position in Australia (area of need)

IMGs who have a primary quali cation in medicine and surgery awarded by a training institution recognised by both the Australian Medical Council
(http://www.amc.org.au/assessment/list-of-medical-schools) and the World Directory of Medical Schools (https://search.wdoms.org/) (WDOMS) and who have
satis ed all the training and examination requirements to practise in their eld of specialty in their country of training, can apply for assessment under this
pathway (specialist recognition or area of need).

IMGs applying for the Specialist pathway should apply directly to the relevant specialist medical college for assessment.

Learn more about the Specialist pathway (https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/Registration/International-Medical-Graduates/Specialist-Pathway.aspx).

Specialist medical colleges’ specialist pathway data are available on the specialist pathway (https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/Registration/International-
Medical-Graduates/Specialist-Pathway/Guides-and-reports.aspx) page.

Short term training in a medical specialty pathway

The short term training in a medical specialty pathway is for IMGs who are overseas-trained specialists or specialists-in-training wishing to undertake a
short period (usually up to 24 months) of specialist or advanced training in Australia.

This pathway does not lead to registration as a specialist in Australia. IMGs seeking to qualify for specialist registration apply for registration via the specialist
pathway - specialist recognition.

IMGs who have a primary quali cation in medicine and surgery awarded by a training institution recognised by both the Australian Medical Council
(http://www.amc.org.au/assessment/list-of-medical-schools) and the World Directory of Medical Schools (https://search.wdoms.org/) (WDOMS) and who have
satis ed all the training and examination requirements to practise in their eld of specialty in their country of training or who are no more than two years away
from completing their specialist training overseas, can apply for assessment under this pathway (short term training in a medical specialty pathway).

IMGs applying for the Short term training in a medical specialty pathway apply directly to the relevant specialist medical college for assessment using a Board
application form (AAMC-30) before applying to the Board for registration.

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Learn more about the Short term training in a medical specialty pathway (https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/Registration/International-Medical-
Graduates/Short-term-training.aspx).

Which pathway am I eligible for?

To help you decide which pathway may be relevant to you, an initial self-assessment check and an overview of the pathways is provided as a guide.

Note: If you currently hold, or have previously held, general registration in Australia you are able to complete the specialist recognition process while holding
general registration. You are not eligible to apply for limited or provisional registration to complete the specialist recognition process.

 
Self assessment check to determine which pathway to apply for – for IMGs wishing to
practise medicine in Australia
I have completed my primary medical qualification in a
country other than Australia or New Zealand

Yes
I have been issued a primary medical qualification by a
training institute listed by both the AMC
(http://www.amc.org.au/assessment/list-of-medical-schools)
and WDOMS (https://search.wdoms.org/)

Yes
I have been issued with a specialist medical qualification

Yes No
I intend to undertake further training in Australia for a short term only to I intend to undertake further training in Australia for a short term only to
gain advanced specialist skills complete my specialist training

No Yes No Yes

I have an offer for an area of I have an offer for a specialist I have completed the I have an offer for a specialist
need position in Australia training position requirements of a MBA training position
designated competent authority
Yes No Yes Yes
No Yes
I am eligible for I am eligible for I am eligible for the Short term I am eligible for the Short term
the Specialist the Specialist training in a medical specialty I am eligible for I am eligible for training in a medical specialty
pathway pathway pathway the Standard the Competent pathway
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.au/Registratio .au/Registratio Medical-Graduates/Short-term- edicalboard.gov (https://www.m Medical-Graduates/Short-term-
n/International- n/International- training.aspx)* .au/Registratio edicalboard.gov training.aspx)*
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area of need)* Pathway.aspx)

 
* IMGs who are eligible for the specialist pathway or the short term training in a medical specialty pathway and the competent authority pathway, apply for
provisional registration - they are not eligible for limited registration.

Download a PDF of the Self assessment check to determine which pathway to apply for - for IMGs wishing to practise (/documents/default.aspx?
record=WD14%2f14120&dbid=AP&chksum=UwTVUB0ErD5lugUQLSf3FA%3d%3d) (176 KB,PDF)

Download a PDF of the Overview of pathways to registration for IMGs wishing to practise medicine in Australia (/documents/default.aspx?
record=WD14%2f14124&dbid=AP&chksum=OWt%2f6miTwtRJEMYTj9Sm3g%3d%3d) (95.1 KB,PDF), Web page version
(https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/Registration/International-Medical-Graduates/Overview-of-pathways.aspx).

You will be charged a fee for each application (to AMC, specialist medical college, the Board) so read the detailed information on each pathway, including the
eligibility requirements, before applying.

Pre-employment structured clinical interview (PESCI)

IMGs applying for registration may be required to undergo a pre-employment structured clinical interview (PESCI) depending on the nature of the position and
the level of risk inherent to the position.

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10/4/2020 Medical Board of Australia - International medical graduates (IMGs)
The purpose of a PESCI is to establish whether an IMG has the knowledge, skills and experience to practise safely and e ectively in the speci c position for
which registration is being sought.

Further information about who needs to undertake a PESCI (https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/Registration/International-Medical-Graduates/pesci.aspx).

Further information
In relation to the assessment pathways, the Board and the AMC do not:

advise IMGs on their quali cations, training or experience 

provide information on the training, examination or other requirements of the specialist medical colleges (https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/News/Useful-
Contacts.aspx) (contact the relevant college).
issue visas or o er any advice on migration to Australia (information on immigration is available from the Australian Government Department of Home
A airs (https://immi.homea airs.gov.au/)website) have any involvement in employing doctors in Australia (information on employment is available from
Australian state and territory health authorities) 
issue Medicare provider numbers (information is available from Medicare Australia (http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/dhs/medicare)).

Related links
Registration types (https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/Registration/Types.aspx) 
Registration forms (https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/Registration/Forms.aspx) 
Registration fees (https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/Registration/Fees.aspx) 
Registration standards (https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards.aspx) 
Registration process (https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process.aspx)
Specialist medical colleges (https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/News/Useful-Contacts.aspx), PDF (/documents/default.aspx?
record=WD14%2f14112%5Bv3%5D&dbid=AP&chksum=R%2bmYuWGbYEVPc5ObmlZmjqO%2bNx4Siv8a7foIWjo917U%3d) (71.7 KB)  
State and territory health departments (/documents/default.aspx?record=WD14%2f14113&dbid=AP&chksum=Ou585aIlsLMiVdnRhkzVXA%3d%3d) (58.2
KB,PDF), Word version (/documents/default.aspx?record=WD14%2f14133&dbid=AP&chksum=O%2bEYFr6sxL4dkiBE8Lud4w%3d%3d) (645 KB,DOCX)
Australian Medical Council (http://www.amc.org.au)

Who is AHPRA? 

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) supports the 14 National Boards (https://www.ahpra.gov.au/National-Boards.aspx) in their
role of protecting the public and setting standards and policies that all registered health practitioners must meet.

AHPRA and the National Boards work together to register (https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process.aspx) and renew health practitioners
and, where required, investigate complaints or concerns regarding health practitioners (/Error/404.htm?item=web%3a%7bB00EA869-6749-4B71-8969-
EE7EDE7E6982%7d%40en).

AHPRA's operations are governed by the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (https://www.ahpra.gov.au/About-AHPRA/What-We-
Do/Legislation.aspx) which came into e ect on 1 July 2010. This law applies in each Australian state and territory, and is sometimes referred to on our sites
as ‘the National Law’.

All health practitioners registered to practise are included on the national register of practitioners (https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-
Practitioners.aspx) which is managed by AHPRA.

Find out more about AHPRA (https://www.ahpra.gov.au/About-AHPRA/Who-We-Are.aspx).

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