Everything you need to know about the medical career pathways in Australia.

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STEP 1: Choose your registration pathway

 

There are different pathways by which an IMG (International Medical Graduate) can work as a doctor in Australia. The most relevant pathways to us are:

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1. Standard pathway

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2. Specialist pathway

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3. Competent authority pathway

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In brief, specialists can go through either standard or specialist pathways, non- specialists can go through standard pathway only and competent authority pathway if you have worked in an equivalent healthcare system after passing their exams e.g., USMLE, PLAB, etc.

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The most common pathway is the standard pathway, where you need to give AMC examinations. In specialist and competent authority pathway you do not need to give the exams but need to satisfy other requirements.

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For more information go to REGISTRATION PATHWAYS

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STEP 2: STARTING YOUR JOURNEY: Verify your qualifications and create an AMC online account.

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IMGs are required to submit their primary qualifications (final medical diploma) directly to ECFMG’s Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC) for verification, but also complete an AMC online application to establish an AMC portfolio.

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All IMGs must apply for primary source verification of their medical qualifications through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC), regardless of which of the three assessment pathways are being pursued.

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What is the role of the AMC (Australian Medical Council?

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The AMC is the verifications authority of Australia, responsible for maintaining the AMC’s qualifications portal with information and updates on verifications processed by ECFMG. The qualifications portal is used by the Medical Board of Australia for registration purposes and by the Australian specialist medical colleges for assessment purposes.

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The AMC conducts the assessment process for IMGs in the Standard Pathway (AMC examinations) only; it does not conduct assessments in the competent authority or specialist pathways. The AMC has no role in processing applications for registration or in granting registration, which is a function of the Medical Board of Australia (the Board).

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HERE IS HOW THE JOURNEY BEGING

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The journey begins by creating your EPIC account and completing an AMC online application to stablish your portfolio.

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1. Make sure that your Primary qualification was completed and awarded by a training institution recognised by the AMC.

 

2. Create EPIC account and confirm your identity with ECFMG. Indicate that you plan to apply to the AMC when completing your request to establish an account.

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3. Establish AMC Portfolio for processing by AMC – you require an EPIC ID to be able to complete the portfolio application. Your AMC candidate number will be confirmed by email within 3-5 working days.

 

4. Upload qualification/s to your EPIC account for processing by ECFMG. As you upload each qualification, request that a EPIC report be sent to the AMC. When your credential is sent for verification, the AMC will be notified to update the verification status on the AMC qualifications portal.  

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a. For the Standard Pathway (AMC examinations) and Competent Authority pathways, submit your final medical diploma for verification.

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b. For specialist assessment purposes, your final medical diploma and postgraduate qualification/s must be submitted.

 

5. Once your qualification has been verified you can proceed with the pathway you are eligible for.

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For more information about General Fees - CLICK HERE

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For more information go to https://www.amc.org.au/assessment/pathways/overview/

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STEP 3:  Complete AMC examinations if you are on the Standard Pathway

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STEP 3.1 MCQ (Also known as AMC Part 1)

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Eligibility criteria to appear in the AMC MCQ exam:

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1. Having a recognised primary medical qualification i.e., MBBS, MD, etc. All International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who have a primary qualification in medicine and surgery awarded by a training institution recognised by the AMC are eligible to apply for assessment.

 

2. English proficiency test results are NOT REQUIRED at this stage.

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The AMC CAT MCQ Examination tests knowledge of the principles and practice of medicine in the fields of general practice, internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, psychiatry, women’s health, population health and ethics. 

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The MCQ is a computer-administered fully integrated multi-choice question examination delivered in one 3.5-hour session in examination centres worldwide. The examination consists of 150 A-type MCQs (one correct response from five options). It focuses on essential medical knowledge involving understanding of the disease process; clinical examination and diagnosis; and investigation, therapy and management.

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You are expected to complete all 150 items. Failure to complete all 150 scored items in the examination may lead to insufficient information for a reliable determination of your ability and therefore a result on the AMC adaptive scale. The examination result is recorded as ‘Fail — Insufficient data to obtain result’.

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The content blueprint (the number of questions on each patient group) for the examination follows.

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Candidate results will be available to download from their candidate portals at 9.00am on the Thursday, four weeks following their AMC CAT MCQ examination. This is in accordance with the process notified on the AMC website - https://www.amc.org.au/assessment/mcq/mcq-results/

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Did you know that you can give the AMC CAT MCQ Examination in other countries outside Australia?

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Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, Guam, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Northern Mariana Islands, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, UK, US, and US Virgin Islands. 

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To find an examination venue go to: www.vue.com/amc

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You can take the AMC Trial Examination through the link below: https://trial-exam.amc.org.au/ AMC Clinical Examination Part

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For more information on how to prepare for the MCQ examinations (aka AMC 1) go to –  MCQ PREPARATION ADVICE

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STEP 3.2 Complete AMC Clinical Examination (or AMC Part 2) and get you AMC certificate, UNLESS you secure a job offer after passing you AMC Part 1  (For more information go to Standard Pathway).

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Eligibility criteria to appear in the AMC Clinical Examination 

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1. Candidates are required to meet the pass standard in the MCQ examination before being eligible to proceed to the clinical examination. 

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2. English proficiency test results are NOT REQUIRED at this stage.

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The clinical examination requires the candidate to demonstrate ability at the level of a graduating final year medical student about to commence the (pre-registration) intern year, across a broad range of required clinical disciplines.

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The AMC Clinical Examination tests clinical skills in medicine, surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology, paediatrics, and psychiatry. It involves assessment of the candidate’s capacity in such areas as history taking, physical examination, diagnosis, ordering and interpreting investigations, clinical management and communication with patients, their families and other healthcare workers.

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The clinical examination is a multi-station examination of three hours and 20 minutes duration and is administered on a single morning or afternoon. It is a 20-station multidisciplinary structured clinical exam that assesses your skills in Medicine, Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry. 

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The 20 stations will be comprised of 14 scored stations, 2 pilot (non-scored) stations, and 4 rest (non-scored) stations. The 4 non-scored rest stations allow candidates an opportunity to have a break at predetermined intervals. As with the AMC Multiple-Choice-Question (MCQ) examination, the clinical examination pilot stations will not be identified to candidates during the examination. 

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All stations are of equal length. Each station will be of 10 minutes duration (comprising two minutes changeover and reading time, and eight minutes assessment time). One trained examiner will be involved in each assessed station. Stations may use actual patients, simulated patients, telephone consultations, models or video patient presentations. Other relevant equipment, e.g. prescription pads, charts, may also be used in the examination.

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There is no limit on the number of attempts a candidate may have at the clinical exam.

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For more information about pass requirements, global rating and results – CLICK HERE 

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For further advice on how to prepare for your AMC clinical examinations, kindly refer to – CLINICAL RESOURCES

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STEP 4: Job Hunting

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Eligibility criteria to apply for medical registration in Australia.

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1. AMC CAT MCQ (AMC Part 1) Examination alone + English proficiency 

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AMC CAT MCQ + Clinical Examination (AMC Part 2) + English proficiency

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2. English proficiency test results are REQUIRED at this stage

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3. Internship Certificate

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4. Offer of employment

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If this is your first job as an International Medical Graduate (IMG) you are likely to be eligible for either Limited Registration (MCQ + English proficiency) or Provisional Registration (MCQ + Clinical + English proficiency).

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Once you have completed your AMC Examinations, the next step is applying for a job.

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Is the internship mandatory?

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Sometimes, people ask if the internship is mandatory to get a job in Australia. Theoretically speaking it is not a mandatory requirement, but it is next to impossible to get any job in Australia if you have not completed a minimum of 12 months internship. You would not get an internship job in Australia unless you are an Australian graduate. People with very little experience as a doctor overseas are finding it increasingly difficult to find the first medical job in Australia

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Which positions to look for? 

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RMO (Resident Medical Officer) / HMO (Hospital Medical Officer) / JMO (Junior Medical Officer) / TMO (Trainee Medical Officer)  🡪 They all mean the same, but the name of the position is different in each state. In any case, you will be working as a junior doctor under the supervision of a senior doctor, usually a consultant (a specialist). 

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The second next most important piece of information to look for are, the SELECTION CRITERIA. They usually appear towards the bottom of the job ad. In a doctor job ad there is always one selection criteria that describes what qualifications and registration you need. The KEY WORDS that you are looking for are “eligible for registration” or words similar to this. Check this before you waste your time reviewing the position description and ringing potential employers.

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How to find a medical job in Australia? 

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For information about the Annual Recruitment Campaigns CLICK HERE

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For information on how to apply outside the campaigns CLICK HERE

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For information about Personal approach to the employers CLICK HERE

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For more useful information go to -  COVERING THE GAP AND CPDS  - CLINICAL OBSERVERSHIP AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT 

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For further advice on job applications go to – BOOK A COACHING SESSION 

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