As an International Medical Graduate (IMG) aiming to practice medicine in Australia, the necessity to pass the Australian Medical Council (AMC) exams depends on the registration pathway you pursue.
1. Standard Pathway:
This pathway is intended for IMGs whose qualifications are not recognized under the Competent Authority Pathway. To be eligible for registration:
After passing these assessments, you can apply for provisional or limited registration to undertake a period of supervised practice. Upon satisfactory completion of 12 months (minimum of 47 weeks) of supervised practice, you become eligible to apply for general registration.
2. Competent Authority Pathway:
This pathway is designed for IMGs from countries with medical qualifications and training recognized by the Medical Board of Australia, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, New Zealand, and Ireland. If you are eligible for this pathway:
- AMC Examinations: You are exempt from the AMC examinations.
Instead, you can apply directly for provisional registration to complete a period of supervised practice. After satisfactorily completing 12 months (minimum of 47 weeks) of supervised practice, you can apply for general registration.
3. Specialist Pathway:
For IMGs who have completed specialist training overseas and wish to practice as specialists in Australia:
- AMC Examinations: You are generally not required to pass the AMC exams.
Instead, your qualifications and experience will be assessed by the relevant Australian specialist medical college to determine comparability to Australian-trained specialists. Depending on the outcome, you may need to undertake additional training or supervised practice before obtaining specialist recognition and registration
Important Considerations:
- English Language Proficiency: All IMGs must demonstrate proficiency in English, typically by achieving the required scores in the IELTS or equivalent tests.
- Primary Source Verification: Your medical qualifications must be verified through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates' Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC) service before applying for registration.
For detailed information and guidance on the registration process, it's recommended to consult the Medical Board of Australia's official guidelines and the Australian Medical Council's resources.
