Revised registration standards for limited registration published today

28 Apr 2016

The Medical Board of Australia (the Board) has today published the revised registration standards for the four types of limited registration available under the National Law¹.

The revised registration standards will come into effect on 1 July 2016 and are being published now to support a smooth transition.

The revised registration standards for the four types of limited registration are:

• Registration standard for limited registration for postgraduate training or supervised practice
• Registration standard for limited registration for area of need
• Registration standard for limited registration in public interest
• Registration standard for limited registration for teaching or research

Limited registration applies to international medical graduates (IMGs) who do not qualify for general or specialist registration. The registration standards for the four types of limited registration define the requirements IMGs must meet to be granted limited registration or to renew limited registration.

The revised standards will replace the current standards. Applicants for registration and registered medical practitioners renewing registration are expected to meet the requirements of the registration standard that applies to their type of registration from 1 July 2016.

The Board has made few changes to the requirements for limited registration. The standards have been reformatted and reworded to make them clearer. The key changes to the registration standards are:

• IMGs applying for limited registration for postgraduate training or supervised practice must provide evidence of successful completion of a medical internship or comparable. However, there is an exemption to this requirement if an IMG can secure an accredited internship position in Australia.
  
  Note: IMGs should be aware that intern positions are difficult to obtain so it is better to complete an internship overseas before applying for limited registration. For more information about this exemption see the revised registration standard and associated guidance below.  
  
  
• IMGs applying for or renewing limited registration for area of need to work in a general practice position for the first time in Australia, must have at least three years’ (full-time equivalent) experience working in general practice or primary care. This is to support public safety.
  
  Note: If you are renewing registration to continue working in a current general practice position, this requirement does not apply. However, if you have exhausted the number of renewals allowed under the National Law and are making a new application for registration to work in general practice, this requirement will apply.
  
  Note: IMGs submitting applications for limited registration for area of need to work in general practice via the standard pathway from 1 July 2016, should only undertake a pre-employment structured clinical interview (PESCI) before applying for registration if they can meet the Board’s requirements for registration. For more information see ‘When should you arrange a PESCI?’
  
  
• The purpose of limited registration in the public interest has been made clearer:
  
  • this type of registration cannot be used to circumvent the need for Ministerial designation of area of need
    
    
  • IMGs coming to Australia for a short period to demonstrate a clinical technique or participate in a workshop will apply for limited registration for teaching or research rather than limited registration in public interest.
    
    
• A more streamlined process for applying for a change in circumstances. Registered medical practitioners seeking to change the circumstances under which limited registration was granted such as changes to supervision arrangements or places of practice will not be required to make a new application for registration for significant changes.
  
  All applications requesting minor or significant changes in circumstances will be managed through the one application form. A new application for registration will only be required if the practitioner seeks to change their type of registration or if they have exhausted the number of renewals allowed under the National Law.
  
  Note. Although the revised registration standards allow the Board to charge a fee for requests to change in circumstances, the Board has waived the fee for 2016/2017. The Board will decide on a fee for 2017/18.

Revised registration standards

New Guidelines for short-term training in a medical specialty published today

The Board has developed new Guidelines Short-term training in a medical specialty for international medical graduates who are not qualified for general or specialist registration (the Guidelines). These Guidelines will come into effect on 1 July 2016 and are being published now to support a smooth transition.

These guidelines apply to international medical graduates (IMGs) who are either qualified specialists, or specialists in training in other countries, who wish to have additional training in Australia for a short period of time (usually up to two years). Practitioners in this pathway have to confirm that they do not intend making further applications for registration in Australia at the end of the specified training period.

The Guidelines are linked to the revised registration standard for limited registration for postgraduate training or supervised practice. Both documents define the eligibility criteria for registration under this existing pathway (specialist pathway – short-term training) to be known as the ‘short term training in a medical specialty pathway’ from the effective date.

The eligibility criteria for registration under this pathway have not changed. However, the Guidelines clarify the intended purpose of this pathway and make it clear that this pathway does not lead to a qualification for specialist registration. International medical graduates seeking to qualify for specialist registration must meet the requirements of the ‘specialist pathway - specialist recognition’.

The Guidelines also clarify the roles of the specialist medical colleges and the Board in assessing and registering IMGs seeking short-term training in a medical specialty.

Guidelines Short-term training in a medical specialty for international medical graduates who are not qualified for general or specialist registration.

¹Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory