IMG Pathways For Medical Registration In Australia

International medical graduates (IMGs) who want to practise medicine in Australia soon discover that Australia medical registration is not a single form or application. The Medical Board of Australia (MBA) and the Australian Medical Council (AMC) use several assessment pathways for IMG Australia candidates, each with specific exams, supervision arrangements and paperwork. Working out which pathway applies to you is essential for planning your AMC exams, any PESCI interview and your long‑term career plans.

This guide introduces the main options and explains how our interactive IMG Pathway Navigator (Australia) quiz can help you work out which pathways are most likely to fit your background.

Overview Of IMG Pathways In Australia

For IMGs, there are three main pathways to registration in Australia, each designed for different training backgrounds and goals:

• Standard Pathway – for IMGs who are not eligible for the other pathways. It usually involves:

  • AMC Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) Examination

  • AMC Clinical Examination or Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA)

• Competent Authority Pathway – for IMGs who have completed recognised training and assessment in certain countries (for example, the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada or New Zealand).

• Specialist Pathway – for overseas-trained specialists who want their specialist qualifications assessed in Australia. This includes options such as:

  • Specialist recognition

  • Area of Need (AoN) specialist roles

  • Expedited Specialist Pathway for some pre‑approved qualifications

In addition, some doctors come to Australia for short‑term specialist training, usually up to 24 months, under a Short‑Term Training in a Medical Specialty pathway, similar to options available for pursuing Medical PG in Australia after MBBS completion in other countries. This leads to limited registration for the period of training and does not lead directly to general or specialist registration.

Each of these pathways can lead to different types of registration (Limited, Provisional, General or Specialist), each with its own conditions and supervision requirements. The IMG Pathway Navigator (Australia) quiz on this page is designed to give you a simplified, early indication of which of these pathways may suit you, based on your qualifications and experience.

To summarise, most IMGs fit into one of these broad patterns:

• Recent graduates without recognised postgraduate training: usually Standard Pathway

• Doctors with approved training in a competent authority country: usually Competent Authority Pathway

• Experienced specialists seeking recognition of specialist qualifications: usually Specialist Pathway or short‑term specialist training

Key Organisations In Australia Medical Registration

Understanding who does what will save you time and confusion as you move through the AMC and Australia medical registration process.

“Medical registration is built on patient safety first, then career progression.” — IMG Pathway Navigator (Australia) team

Australian Medical Council (AMC)

The AMC is mainly an assessment and verification body, with research from institutions like the Centre for Research Excellence in Adelaide providing evidence-based frameworks for medical education assessment standards. For IMG Australia candidates, it:

• Runs the Standard Pathway examinations (AMC MCQ and AMC Clinical) and accredits WBA programs

• Manages primary source verification (PSV) of your medical degree and, where needed, specialist qualifications

• Issues the AMC Certificate once you complete the Standard Pathway assessments

• Provides an online system where you create an AMC account and portfolio

The AMC does not grant medical registration, does not issue visas, and does not arrange jobs.

Medical Board Of Australia (MBA) / AHPRA

The MBA, working with AHPRA, is the national regulator that:

• Grants limited, provisional, general and specialist registration

• Sets registration standards (for example English language, recency of practice, professional indemnity insurance and continuing professional development)

• Assesses applications for the Competent Authority Pathway and accepts college recommendations for the Specialist Pathway

• Manages notifications and disciplinary processes if concerns arise about a doctor’s conduct or performance

Specialist Medical Colleges And Other Agencies

• Specialist medical colleges (for example, RACGP, RACP, RACS) assess overseas-trained specialists on the Specialist Pathway, determine comparability, and set any additional training or exams.

• The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs manages visas and migration. This is separate from AMC and MBA processes.

• State and territory health departments and health services advertise positions and employ IMGs.

• Services Australia issues Medicare provider numbers, which are required for billing under Medicare once you are eligible.

Our quiz does not replace these official bodies or their tools. Instead, it helps you prepare to deal with them more confidently by giving you a clearer idea of which direction to explore first.

Find Your Pathway: Take The Quiz

Our interactive quiz is designed for:

• IMGs preparing for the AMC Clinical Examination or WBA

• Doctors considering a PESCI (for RACGP, IME or other providers)

• Overseas‑trained specialists exploring recognition in Australia

• General practitioners wanting a clearer overview of their registration options

• Any IMG Australia candidate at the early planning stage

The quiz asks simple, targeted questions about your:

• Primary medical qualification (country, school and graduation year)

• Postgraduate training and specialist qualifications

• Country where you have completed internship or foundation training

• AMC examination status (MCQ and Clinical) or WBA

• Current and recent clinical practice

• Whether you hold, or are aiming for, a specific job that may require PESCI or Limited registration

Based on your answers, the quiz suggests possible pathways (Standard, Competent Authority, Specialist or short‑term training) and registration types (Limited, Provisional, General or Specialist) that may be worth exploring further. It does not give a formal eligibility decision, but it can help you:

• Avoid researching pathways that clearly do not match your profile

• Focus your reading on the rules that are most likely to apply to you

• Prepare more focused questions for migration agents, medical recruiters or college advisers

“Treat your quiz result as a starting point for smarter research, not as a final verdict on your career.” — IMG Pathway Navigator (Australia) team

Use the quiz as a starting point, then double‑check everything against official AMC and MBA guidance.

IMG Pathway Navigator (Australia)

Answer the following questions in the IMG Pathway Navigator (Australia) quiz to get a preliminary idea of potential pathways to practise medicine in Australia. Try to answer as accurately as possible, based on your current qualifications and recent clinical experience.

The quiz will typically ask about:

• Whether your medical school and degree are recognised for AMC purposes

• Which exams you have already passed (for example USMLE, PLAB, AMC MCQ)

• Whether you have completed internship or supervised practice in a recognised “competent authority” country

• Whether you hold a specialist qualification and how many years you have worked as a specialist

• Whether you already have, or are seeking, a specific role in Australia (for example, a GP position needing a PESCI)

Potential Pathways & Registration Types:

Disclaimer: This quiz provides a simplified guide only. Medical registration in Australia is complex and eligibility depends on meeting all requirements set by the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) and the Australian Medical Council (AMC), including English language proficiency, recency of practice, and identity checks. Pathway eligibility, especially for the Specialist Pathway, requires formal assessment by relevant bodies. Always consult the official MBA and AMC websites for accurate, up‑to‑date information and seek professional advice if needed. Eligibility for a Pre‑Employment Structured Clinical Interview (PESCI) often depends on securing a specific job offer requiring Limited or Provisional registration. Registration types mentioned (Limited, Provisional, General, Specialist) have specific requirements, conditions, and limitations.

Treat your quiz result as an indicator of where to investigate next, not as a guarantee that a pathway is open or closed to you.

Before You Start: Are You Eligible For Australia Medical Registration?

Before you invest heavily in exam preparation, migration and job applications, check that you meet the basic requirements that apply across almost all AMC and Australia medical registration pathways.

1. Medical Qualification Eligibility

You must hold a primary medical degree in clinical medicine and surgery from a medical school that:

• Is listed as eligible on the AMC’s online self‑check tools

• Has an acceptable degree title for your graduation year

• Has your graduation year within the recognised period for that school

If your degree does not meet these criteria, you will not be able to proceed through AMC assessment pathways. It is wise to confirm this early, before you book exams or spend money on document gathering.

2. English Language Proficiency

The MBA requires clear evidence of English language ability for safe clinical practice. Usually this means:

• Meeting the required scores in an approved test such as IELTS (Academic), OET (medicine), PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT, or

• Providing evidence that you meet the MBA’s limited exemption criteria (for example, complete schooling and medical degree in certain English‑speaking countries)

Many IMGs preparing for the AMC Clinical Examination or PESCI find it helpful to prepare for English tests and clinical communication at the same time. This can include:

• Practising consultation role‑plays with feedback

• Recording yourself and checking clarity, pace and structure

• Joining study groups with other IMGs focused on both exam content and communication

3. Identity And Good Standing

You will need:

• Valid, government‑issued photo identification (usually a passport)

• Consistent personal details across all documents, or official proof of any name change

• Evidence of current registration and good standing from overseas regulators, if you are already registered elsewhere

Gathering these papers early can reduce delays once you start formal AMC and MBA applications, as retrospective study in Australia has shown that incomplete documentation is a common cause of application delays for international medical graduates.

4. Primary Source Verification (PSV)

For almost all pathways, your qualifications must go through primary source verification:

• You create a MyIntealth account (ECFMG) and upload your degree and, for specialists, postgraduate and specialist certificates.

• ECFMG contacts the original issuing institution to confirm your documents are genuine.

• Once confirmed, AMC updates your portfolio and makes this verification visible to the MBA and relevant colleges.

Without successful PSV of your core qualifications, you cannot complete AMC assessments or be granted registration. Delays at this step are common, so start as early as you reasonably can.

5. Visa, Employment And Medicare

Registration is only one part of practising in Australia:

• You must meet visa requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs.

• You usually need a confirmed job offer, especially for Limited or Provisional registration and for PESCI.

• To bill under Medicare, you need a Medicare provider number from Services Australia, and IMG Australia doctors are often subject to particular restrictions.

Planning these steps early saves frustration later, especially if you are preparing for AMC Clinical, RACGP exams or college assessments.

Important Registration Information

The quiz provides a simplified overview based on common scenarios. It cannot reflect every variation, but it is designed to help you understand how registration types usually line up with AMC exams and your training background.

In broad terms:

• Limited registration

  • Often used for supervised practice in a specific position

  • For many IMGs on the Standard Pathway, this becomes available after passing the AMC MCQ examination and meeting other MBA requirements (for example English, PSV, recency of practice)

  • You must work under supervision and usually in a role approved by the MBA, which may also require a PESCI

• Provisional registration

  • Typically follows completion of the Competent Authority Pathway or after passing the AMC Clinical Examination or WBA, again subject to all other MBA standards

  • Allows you to work under supervision, usually for 12 months (full‑time equivalent), in an approved position

• General registration

  • The goal for most IMGs

  • Usually granted after you successfully complete the required period of supervised practice on Limited or Provisional registration, with satisfactory supervisor reports and compliance with all standards

• Specialist registration

  • For overseas‑trained specialists who complete Specialist Pathway requirements with the relevant college and are recommended to the MBA as substantially comparable

The table below gives a quick reference guide to how these registration types relate to common IMG situations:

Registration Type	Typical Entry Point For IMGs	Supervision & Usual Duration
Limited	After AMC MCQ (Standard Pathway) or for certain short‑term specialist or Area of Need roles	Always supervised; tied to a specific position and location
Provisional	After Competent Authority Pathway or AMC Clinical / WBA	Supervised for about 12 months (full‑time equivalent)
General	After successful period on Limited or Provisional registration	Independent practice within any conditions set by the MBA
Specialist	After college assessment on the Specialist Pathway	May still include college‑mandated CPD and other requirements

All pathways also require evidence of:

• English language proficiency

• Recency of clinical practice

• Good standing with all previous regulators

• Identity verification and successful PSV of required qualifications

You must always confirm the exact requirements that apply to your situation.

Disclaimer: This quiz offers general guidance only. Registration requirements are complex and subject to change. Always verify current requirements through the Medical Board of Australia and Australian Medical Council websites before making career decisions.

Next Steps After Using The IMG Pathway Navigator

Once you have completed the quiz and have a sense of your likely pathway, you can plan your next steps with more confidence. You can also repeat the IMG Pathway Navigator (Australia) quiz as your circumstances change (for example, after passing a new exam or gaining extra experience).

If The Standard Pathway Looks Likely

You may need to:

• Create a MyIntealth account and an AMC account, then establish your AMC portfolio.

• Confirm your degree is eligible using AMC tools and submit it for PSV.

• Plan for the AMC MCQ Examination, followed by the AMC Clinical Examination or a WBA program if available at your workplace.

• Organise supervised employment in Australia (often hospital or GP positions) that fits the MBA’s Limited or Provisional registration requirements.

Many IMGs choose to combine AMC MCQ preparation with early recall strategies to build a strong base for the clinical exam. Regular resources for preparation and timed practice can all make a difference here.

If The Competent Authority Pathway Seems Appropriate

You should:

• Confirm you meet all detailed criteria for your specific competent authority country (for example, completing UK Foundation Programme years or US residency components as required).

• Make sure your qualifications and training are fully documented and submitted for PSV.

• Review MBA guidance on supervision, provisional registration and the period of practice required before applying for general registration.

The quiz result can prompt you to read the relevant MBA pathway pages in detail and prepare documents early, so that once you have a job offer you can move through registration more smoothly.

If You Are An Overseas-Trained Specialist

If the quiz suggests the Specialist Pathway:

• Identify the correct Australian specialist college for your field.

• Review that college’s policies on comparability, additional training, exams and supervised practice.

• Use your AMC portfolio to have both your primary degree and specialist qualifications verified.

• If you are considering an Area of Need position, work closely with the potential employer, as the role itself must be assessed and approved.

Many specialists also plan for CPD requirements, workplace-based assessments and formal reports from supervisors, so early planning and honest self‑assessment of your current practice standard are very helpful.

For IMGs Preparing For PESCI

If you plan to work as a GP or in another role that requires PESCI:

• Use your quiz outcome to understand how PESCI interview success fits within Limited or Provisional registration.

• Familiarise yourself with the specific PESCI provider’s criteria (for example RACGP or IME) and the type of cases they commonly assess.

• Build your clinical reasoning, communication and consultation skills so that your PESCI preparation complements your AMC Clinical or college exam goals.

Looking for more detailed information about IMG pathways? Stay tuned for our upcoming comprehensive guide to medical registration in Australia.