DOCTORS & SURGEONS
To work as a doctor or surgeon in Australia you must be registered with the Medical Board of Australia (MBA). As an International Medical Professional/ Graduate (IMG), your qualifications must be assessed to determine if they meet Australian standards. The Australian Medical Council (AMC) assesses overseas qualifications of IMGs. ​
If you are registered to practice in New Zealand, please click here.
If you are applying for a Visa, please click here.
Key Terms:
Medical Board of Australia (MBA), International Medical Professional/ Graduate (IMG), Specialist International Medical Professional/ Graduate (SIMG), Australian Medical Council (AMC), Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC), Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS)
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Accreditation of your qualifications and skills assessment
Your primary medical degree and school must be an eligible institution according to the Australian Medical Council (AMC) and the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS). Specialists must gain primary source verification (PSV) of both a primary medical degree and specialist degree. If eligible, you can continue your assessment with AMC to gain an AMC Certificate. The accreditation process includes;
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Application with AMC for PSV. You will need to set up an account with AMC to gain PSV.
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the AMC uses the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) for PSV. Apply to ECFMG and set up an EPIC/ MyIntealth account to gain verification of your medical degree. The outcomes are uploaded to your AMC account.
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Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs): must also obtain a qualifications assessment from the relevent specialist medical college.
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Determine which pathway fits your qualifications
Once you have received PSV from the AMC, you will then use one of the following pathways to gain registration with the Medical Board. This is determined by your circumstances:
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Competent Authority Pathway: an IMG with a qualification and practice experience recognised by the relevent medical board from a competent authority country. These include;
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UK: General Medical Council (PLAB test and graduates of GMC-accredited medical courses)
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Canada: Medical Council of Canada (LMCC)
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USA: Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates of the United States (USMLE); and National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (COMLEX-USA)
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New Zealand: Medical Council of New Zealand (NZREX)
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Ireland: Medical Council of Ireland (graduates of MCI-accredited medical courses).​
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Standard Pathway: an IMG with a qualification from an institution not recognised as a competent authority institution but is recognised by both the AMC and the WDOMS. AMC manages assessments as part of the Standard Pathway.
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​Expedited Specialist Pathway: SIMGs who have obtained their primary qualification in medicine and surgery by a training institution recognised by AMC and WDOMS, and a specialist qualification and relevent experience from a college and country on the Board's expedited specialist list. Specialist qualifications to be considered include, anaesthesia, general practice, obstetrics and gynaecology, and psychiatry.
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Specialist Pathway: SIMGs with a speicalist qualification not on the expedited
specialist list. See also options for specialists in an area of need.
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Next steps to registration
Each pathway has specific requirements you must fulfil to be eligible for general registration with the MBA. Upon completion of all requried supervised practice and assessments, you will be able to apply for full registration with the MBA.
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Competent Authority Pathway: As a competent authority pathway candidate, you will need to secure a suitable position to complete 12-months of supervised practice. You will need to apply for provisional registration to complete the supervised practice. If you are working in general practice, you will need to complete a pre-employment structured clinical interview (PESCI).
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Standard Pathway: As a standard pathway candidate, you will need to pass the AMC CAT MCQ exam. Additionally, you will need to complete one of the following assessments;
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 AMC Clinical Examination - Once passed, you will need to apply for provisional registration.
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WBA (workplace-based assessment) - You must have passed the AMC CAT MCQ examination to be eligible for WBA. Once you have passed the AMC CAT MCQ, you must apply for limited registration to practice in an approved WBA clinical position.
You are required to complete 12-months of supervised practice in addition to successful completion of the assessments. ​
If you are working in general practice, you will need to complete a pre-employment structured clinical interview (PESCI).
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​Expedited Specialist Pathway: As a expedited specialist pathway candidate, you must apply to the MBA for specialist registration. You must arrange your supervision and the position you wish to fill. The MBA requires a supervision plan to be submitted for approval. You will be required to complete 6-months of supervised practice, including orientations, supervised practice reports and any additional requirements from the MBA to complete your assessment.
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Specialist Pathway: As a specialist pathway candidate, you must apply to the MBA for limited registration. You must arrange your supervision and practice position. The MBA must approve your arrangements for supervision and practice. You must complete between 3 and 24 months of supervised practice, including upskilling or assessments required by the specialist college. Specialists in an area of need must complete the relevent applications and qualifications assessment for the specialists college associated with the area of need.
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Note: All registration types require English Language proficiencies. See below for details.
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New Zealand registered Doctors and Surgeons
New Zealand medical graduates are eligible for general registration with the Medical Board of Australia. See the Board's site, here, for information on general registration for New Zealand medical graduates. If you are yet to complete your internship, see here for provisional registration to complete your internship.
Visa Applicants
Visit here for more information on coming to Australia as a medical practitioner.
Need-to-know
Estimated Costs
(in AUD$)
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AMC Fees: $7,000-8,000; including AMC portfolio, CAT MCQ examination and results, clinical examination and results, or work-based assessment. Click here for further information.
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​MBA Fees: Initial fees - application and registration for provisional registration $1,263 Secondary fees - application fee for general registration after converting from provisional registration $521, general registration fee $1,058. Click here for further information.
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ECFMG EPIC Fees: minimum USD$230 for account set-up and primary source verifcation of one credential. Click here for more information.
Estimated Time Commitment
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MBA registrations can take between 4 to 6 weeks.​
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AMC portfolio processing time takes about 5 business days. Examinations occur on specific dates.​
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Between 3-24 months of supervised practice determined by your circumstances and pathway.
English Language Requirements
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For all registrations, IMGs must meet English Language requirements. There are different options for English assessment according to your circumstances. Click here to be directed to Ahpra's self-assessment English proficiency tool and options. Click here for the AMC's English Language requirements.​
Documentation
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If you are not able to provide your medical certification to the ECFMG, contact them directly to discuss alternative options. ​
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Final Medical Diploma
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Final Medical Transcript
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Alternate Graduate Certificate
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Postgraduate Specialist Qualification
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Documents that are not in English must be uplaoded with a copy translated to English according to ECFMG's English Language Standards. Click here for more information.
Other Career Options:
If you are unable to gain arecognition for your full qualifications, here are some other options for careers you may pursue in Australia;
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Teaching/ lecturing (may require a limited registration, check with your employer and MBA registration standards).
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Biomedical sciences
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Pathology
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Nursing
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Aged care services
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Disability care services