Pathways to Medical Registration

Note: All applicants applying for medical registration must first apply to the Australian Medical Council (AMC) for Primary Source Verification of their qualifications. Further information.

To practice as a doctor in Australia you must obtain medical registration with the Medical Board of Australia (MBA). The pathway options include:

Competent Authority Pathway

The Competent Authority pathway is for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who are non-specialists or specialists and are seeking provisional registration with a view to obtaining general registration.

IMGs who hold a primary medical degree from a medical school listed in the current International Medical Education Directory (IMED) of the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER), and who have completed training or assessment with an approved competent authority may apply for provisional registration via the Competent Authority pathway.

IMGs must have secured an offer of employment before applying to the Board for registration. Further information.

Standard Pathway

The Standard pathway is for IMGs who have a primary qualification in medicine and surgery awarded by a training institution listed in the current International Medical Education Directory (IMED) of the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER), and are not eligible for the Competent Authority pathway or the Specialist pathway.

The Standard pathway has two alternative processes leading to the award of the AMC Certificate:

• AMC examinations
• Workplace-based assessment.

IMGs on the Standard pathway must successfully complete 12 months of supervised practice (minimum of 47 weeks full-time service) in an approved position. Further information.

Specialist Assessment Pathway

IMGs who have a primary qualification in medicine and surgery from a training institution listed in the current International Medical Education Directory (IMED) of the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) and have satisfied all the training and examination requirements to practise in their field of specialty in their country of training, can apply for assessment under this pathway (specialist recognition or area of need). Further information.