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Employing an International Medical Graduate

Background

This information has been developed to assist practices to understand the process of employing an International Medical Graduate (IMG). Many practices in NSW face challenges of ensuring they have a stable workforce of GPs. Employing IMGs is one option that a practice can use when planning for business growth, replacing GPs and to effectively service the community demands for primary care.

This information applies primarily to IMGs who are seeking their first position in Australia. It is important to note an IMG who already has registration and/or residency in Australia will have a simpler process to being able to work at your practice.

If you have an applicant who is already registered in Australia, contact your RDN Medical Workforce Consultant or the team on recruit@nswrdn.com.au for further assistance and guidance on the process for an individual applicant.

The key points to consider:

 

Medicare billing restrictions apply to IMGs. The restrictions are set out in Australia’s  Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act).

  • Section 19AA of the Act details restrictions on non-vocationally recognised doctors.
  • One option to meet the 19AA requirements is for the doctor to enrol on the  More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP) which is administered in NSW by RDN.
  • Section 19AB of the Act details restrictions on where an IMG may work (commonly known as the moratorium). To meet the 19AB requirement, a doctor must work in a location classified as Distribution Priority Area (DPA) for the period of their moratorium.
  • An IMG who is a specialist must also be recognised as a specialist by Medicare.

To make sure you’re employing the right person for the job, check:

  • their registration pathway and likely supervision requirements
  • they have passed the AMC MCQ – without this they cannot progress towards registration
  • they have passed an  English Language Proficiency  (ELP) test - without this they cannot progress towards registration
  • their visa
  • their residency status
  • whether they are vocationally recognised.

If you are unsure of any of these things contact the team on recruit@nswrdn.com.au for free unbiased advice.

IMGs are subject to immigration requirements for temporary or permanent entry visas. If you are nominating for an employer-sponsored visa, you must first apply for and obtain a Health Workforce Certificate through the  Visa’s for GPs initiative.

The IMG you employ must be eligible for registration with the  Medical Board of Australia. They must be offered a job before they can have their skills assessed for a registration pathway. This will determine eligibility for medical registration.

The two most common registration categories for IMGs are:

IMGs are not eligible for general registration until they have:

  • passed the AMC Clinical exam and gained an AMC Certificate or
  • met the eligibility criteria for the competent authority pathway and
  • completed 12 months of supervised practice.

Before registration is approved, the IMG may also have to sit a Pre-Employment Structured

Clinical Interview (PESCI). RDN can provide information on preparing your practice and applicant doctor for the PESCI.

All IMGs with provisional or limited registration must be supervised. Doctors with general registration may also require supervision if they have less than 6 months GP experience. Contact the team on recruit@nswrdn.com.au for more information.

You will need to meet the Medical Board of Australia’s requirements for supervising an IMG and the proposed supervisor(s) will need to complete an online education and assessment module.

RDN is funded by the Federal and State Government to assist practices in MMM 2-7 regions, our services are free of charge and unbiased. We aim to assist you to navigate the complex process of employing an IMG in your practice as one part of a recruitment, succession planning and practice management tool.

Contact your Medical Workforce Consultant for help with recruiting an IMG or email the team on  recruit@nswrdn.com.au and we will be happy to assist you further.

RDN has a site visit grant IMGs may be able to access (depending on your practice location) to assist with funding to visit your practice during the recruitment process or for an observership prior to them sitting the PESCI. RDN also offers a relocation grant that they may be eligible which again depends on your practice location. More information can be found here.

RDN has a dedicated team who keep in touch with the doctor during their enrolment on MDRAP and have a range of resources to assist. 

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