Pathways Summary
Australia offers several pathways for International Medical Graduates (IMGsInternational Medical Graduates) to gain medical registration. Registration is handled by AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency according to standards set by the MBAMedical Board of Australia. The main routes depend on your qualifications, experience, and country of training.
| Pathway |
Target IMG Group |
Key Eligibility Criteria (Set by MBA) |
Primary Assessment Body |
Typical Outcome (via AHPRA) |
| Standard Pathway |
IMGs not eligible for other pathways |
Recognized medical degree; Passed AMC CAT MCQ Exam |
AMCAustralian Medical Council (Clinical Exam or WBA) |
General Registration |
| Competent Authority |
IMGs qualified/practiced in recognized countries (UK, CA, US, NZ, IE) |
Recognized medical degree; Completed specified assessment/training & experience per MBA standards |
Assessment by recognized competent authority (verified by AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) |
General Registration |
| Specialist Pathway |
IMGs with recognized overseas specialist qualifications |
Recognized medical degree; Completed specialist training/exams per MBA standards |
Comparability assessment by relevant Australian Specialist Medical College |
Specialist Registration |
Note: This is a simplified overview. Each pathway has detailed requirements set by the MBA and processed by AHPRA. Use the navigation on the left to explore further.
Introduction to Australian Medical Registration
Australia is a popular destination for IMGsInternational Medical Graduates. To practice legally, you must be registered by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)AHPRA manages the registration process for health practitioners..
AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency works in partnership with the Medical Board of Australia (MBA)The MBA sets the standards, codes, and guidelines that doctors must meet.. The MBAMedical Board of Australia sets the registration standards and policies, while AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency handles the application and registration process.
The Australian Medical Council (AMC)The AMC assesses IMGs for the Standard Pathway and accredits medical education providers. is another key body, primarily responsible for assessing IMGsInternational Medical Graduate applying through the Standard Pathway.
Key Regulatory & Assessment Bodies
- Medical Board of Australia (MBA): Sets registration standards, policies, codes and guidelines.
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA): Manages the registration and notification processes for all health practitioners.
- Australian Medical Council (AMC): Conducts primary assessments for the Standard Pathway; accredits medical schools, specialist colleges, and PESCI providers.
Primary Source Verification (PSV)
A crucial first step for most IMGsInternational Medical Graduates is verifying your medical qualification’s authenticity. This process is typically initiated through the AMCAustralian Medical Council portal, using the ECFMGEducational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates‘s EPICElectronic Portfolio of International Credentials service.
Preparation & Community Support
Navigating the pathways involves significant preparation. Here are some resources:
Standard Pathway
This is the most common pathway for IMGsInternational Medical Graduates whose qualifications don’t fit the Competent Authority or Specialist pathways. Assessment for this pathway is conducted by the AMCAustralian Medical Council.
Eligibility Criteria (Based on MBA Standards)
- Hold a primary medical qualification (e.g., MBBS, MD) from an institution recognized by AMCAustralian Medical Council and listed in WDOMSWorld Directory of Medical Schools (with ECFMG Sponsor Note).
- Successfully pass the AMCAustralian Medical Council Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) Multiple Choice Question (MCQMultiple Choice Question) exam.
- Complete Primary Source Verification (PSVPrimary Source Verification) via EPICElectronic Portfolio of International Credentials (initiated via AMC).
AMC Assessment Options (after passing MCQ)
After passing the AMCAustralian Medical Council MCQMultiple Choice Question exam, you must complete one of the following assessments conducted or overseen by the AMCAustralian Medical Council:
AMC Clinical Exam
- Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCEObjective Structured Clinical Examination) format.
- Assesses clinical skills (history taking, examination, diagnosis, management).
- Consists of 16 assessed stations (plus rest stations).
- Requires passing a set number of stations (check AMC website for current requirement).
Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA)
- Requires passing the AMCAustralian Medical Council MCQMultiple Choice Question exam AND holding limited registration (granted by AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) and a suitable job offer in an AMCAustralian Medical Council-accredited WBA site.
- Assessment occurs over 6-12 months in the clinical workplace.
- Uses methods like Mini-CEX, DOPS, CBD, MSF.
- Covers clinical skills, judgment, communication, professionalism etc.
- You must apply directly to AMCAustralian Medical Council-accredited WBAWorkplace-Based Assessment providers (hospitals/health services).
Successfully completing the MCQMultiple Choice Question and either the Clinical Exam or WBAWorkplace-Based Assessment leads to the award of the AMCAustralian Medical Council Certificate, a key requirement for applying for general registration via AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Competent Authority Pathway
This pathway is for IMGsInternational Medical Graduates who have qualified in or completed specific assessments/training in a country with a healthcare system recognized by the MBAMedical Board of Australia as having comparable standards.
It can lead to general registration via AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency without needing AMCAustralian Medical Council exams, provided all MBAMedical Board of Australia requirements are met.
Recognized Authorities/Countries (Eligibility set by MBA)
- United Kingdom (GMCGeneral Medical Council – specific criteria apply, e.g., PLAB + Foundation Year 1)
- Canada (MCCMedical Council of Canada – specific criteria apply, e.g., LMCC + NAC + training)
- United States (ECFMGEducational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates for USMLEUnited States Medical Licensing Examination passers / NBOMENational Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners for COMLEX-USAComprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States passers – specific criteria apply)
- New Zealand (MCNZMedical Council of New Zealand – specific criteria apply)
- Ireland (MCIMedical Council of Ireland – specific criteria apply, e.g., graduates of accredited Irish medical schools + internship)
Important: Eligibility requires meeting BOTH specific assessment/qualification criteria AND specific post-qualification experience requirements for EACH authority, as defined by the MBA. Check the MBA website for exact details.
Process Overview (via AHPRA)
- Confirm eligibility based on MBAMedical Board of Australia criteria for a competent authority category.
- Complete PSVPrimary Source Verification via EPICElectronic Portfolio of International Credentials (initiated via AMC).
- Secure a suitable job offer in Australia.
- If the job is in General Practice, you may need a PESCIPre-Employment Structured Clinical Interview (see PESCI tab).
- Apply to AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency for provisional registration.
- Complete 12 months (47 weeks full-time equivalent) of supervised practice in Australia, meeting MBAMedical Board of Australia standards.
- Complete required orientation and reporting as per MBAMedical Board of Australia requirements.
- Apply to AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency for General Registration.
Flexibility exists: Australian clinical experience might substitute for required overseas experience in some cases, subject to MBAMedical Board of Australia approval.
Specialist Pathway
This pathway is for IMGsInternational Medical Graduates who hold specialist qualifications obtained outside Australia and wish to gain Specialist Registration in Australia.
Key Eligibility Criteria (Based on MBA Standards)
- Hold a primary medical qualification recognized by AMCAustralian Medical Council/WDOMSWorld Directory of Medical Schools (and verified via PSVPrimary Source Verification).
- Have completed all training and examination requirements to practice independently as a specialist in your country of training.
- Hold a specialist qualification from your country of training (verified via PSVPrimary Source Verification).
- Meet any additional criteria set by the relevant Australian specialist medical college (e.g., specific experience for rural generalism via ACRRMAustralian College of Rural and Remote Medicine).
Assessment & Registration Process
- Complete PSVPrimary Source Verification for BOTH primary and specialist qualifications via EPICElectronic Portfolio of International Credentials (initiated via AMC).
- Apply directly to the relevant Australian specialist medical college for a comparability assessment against Australian standards.
- The college assesses your qualifications, training, and experience and provides an outcome (Substantially Comparable, Partially Comparable, Not Comparable).
- Based on the college’s assessment outcome, apply to AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency for the appropriate registration type (e.g., limited/provisional registration for supervised practice, or specialist registration).
College Assessment Outcomes & Next Steps
Substantially Comparable: May be eligible to apply directly to AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency for specialist registration, often after a period of supervised practice.
Partially Comparable: Requires a period of supervised practice (up to 24 months) under limited or provisional registration (granted by AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) and potentially further training or exams set by the college, before being eligible for specialist registration.
Not Comparable: Not eligible for specialist registration via this pathway. May need to explore other pathways (e.g., Standard Pathway).
This pathway typically leads to Specialist Registration via AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, although other registration types are used during the process.
Pre-Employment Structured Clinical Interview (PESCI)
The PESCIPre-Employment Structured Clinical Interview is an interview used to assess the clinical suitability of an IMGInternational Medical Graduate for a specific General Practitioner (GPGeneral Practitioner) position in Australia. The standards for the PESCI are set by the MBAMedical Board of Australia.
Who Needs a PESCI?
Required by AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (as per MBAMedical Board of Australia standards) for:
- IMGsInternational Medical Graduates on the Standard Pathway applying for registration to work in a GPGeneral Practitioner position.
- IMGsInternational Medical Graduates on the Competent Authority Pathway applying for registration to work in a GPGeneral Practitioner position.
Not required for: Specialist Pathway applicants (assessed by colleges), or those applying for hospital-based (non-GP) positions.
Special Note for Area of Need GP roles: If applying for limited registration for area of need in general practice (requiring 3+ years GP experience), apply to AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency *first*. AHPRA assesses experience against MBA standards; if met, you then arrange a PESCI. If not met, PESCI isn’t needed for *that specific application*.
Purpose and Process
- Assesses clinical knowledge, skills, experience, and suitability for a specific GPGeneral Practitioner role and location against MBAMedical Board of Australia standards.
- Uses clinical scenarios relevant to Australian general practice.
- Conducted only by AMCAustralian Medical Council-accredited providers: ACRRMAustralian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, RACGPRoyal Australian College of General Practitioners, and IMEInstitute of Medical Education (formerly METC Institute).
- Involves an interview panel (usually including experienced GPs).
- The provider issues a report with a recommendation on suitability and required supervision level. This report is sent to the applicant and to AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
- Generally, arrange the PESCIPre-Employment Structured Clinical Interview *before* applying to AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency for registration (unless advised otherwise, e.g., Area of Need).
- AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency makes the final registration decision, considering the PESCI report alongside all other evidence to determine if the applicant meets the MBAMedical Board of Australia‘s registration standards.
Achieving General Registration
General registration allows independent practice in Australia. It is granted by AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency once an applicant meets all requirements set by the MBAMedical Board of Australia for their pathway.
Requirements by Pathway (Application to AHPRA)
Standard Pathway
Requires:
- Holding the AMCAustralian Medical Council Certificate (passed MCQMultiple Choice Question + Clinical Exam/WBA).
- Satisfactory completion of 12 months of supervised practice in Australia (under provisional or limited registration granted by AHPRA).
- Meeting all mandatory MBAMedical Board of Australia registration standards (English, recency, PII, CPD, etc.).
Competent Authority Pathway
Requires:
- Meeting initial eligibility based on MBAMedical Board of Australia criteria for the pathway.
- Satisfactory completion of 12 months of supervised practice in Australia (under provisional registration granted by AHPRA).
- Meeting all mandatory MBAMedical Board of Australia registration standards.
Specialist Pathway
This pathway typically leads directly to Specialist Registration (granted by AHPRA), not General Registration, after fulfilling college requirements and meeting MBA standards.
Mandatory Standards (Set by MBA, Assessed by AHPRA)
All applicants for any type of registration must meet the MBAMedical Board of Australia‘s mandatory standards, assessed during the AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency application process:
- English Language Skills
- Recency of Practice
- Continuing Professional Development (CPDContinuing Professional Development)
- Professional Indemnity Insurance (PIIProfessional Indemnity Insurance)
- Criminal History Check
General Registration and PESCI for GPs
For IMGInternational Medical Graduate GPs on the Standard or Competent Authority pathways:
- The PESCIPre-Employment Structured Clinical Interview is usually required by AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (based on MBA standards) to grant the initial provisional or limited registration needed to start supervised practice in a specific GP role.
- Passing the PESCIPre-Employment Structured Clinical Interview itself does not grant general registration; it informs AHPRA’s decision about suitability for the specific role under supervision.
- General registration is granted by AHPRAAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency only after successfully completing the required 12 months of supervised practice and meeting all other MBA standards.
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