Medical Board of Australia - Interns
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Interns

Australian and New Zealand medical graduates undertaking an accredited internship in Australia

Australian and New Zealand medical graduates must apply for provisional registration so they can undertake a period of accredited intern training to become eligible for general registration.

Interns are only permitted to work in accredited intern positions. They are not permitted to carry out any clinical work outside of their allocated intern position.

The Board’s registration standard, Granting general registration as a medical practitioner to Australian and New Zealand medical graduates on completion of intern training defines the requirements that Australian and New Zealand medical graduates must meet to be eligible for general registration.

In summary, graduates in an accredited intern position must satisfactorily complete:

  • a term of at least eight weeks that provides experience in emergency medical care
  • a term of at least 10 weeks that provides experience in medicine
  • a term of at least 10 weeks that provides experience in surgery, and
  • a range of other approved terms to make up 12 months (minimum of 47 weeks full-time equivalent service).

All terms must be accredited against approved accreditation standards by an authority approved by the Board. These authorities are known as postgraduate medical councils or intern training accreditation authorities.

Final year medical school students are encouraged to apply for provisional registration six weeks from completing their medical course and this can be done by completing an online application.

 

Mandatory registration standards You must meet the requirements of the registration standards for:
  • English language skills
  • recency of practice
  • professional indemnity insurance
Proof of identity Provide evidence of proof of identity in accordance with the Board's and AHPRA’s proof of identity policy as revised from time to time
Medical qualifications Provide evidence of having been awarded a primary degree in medicine and surgery, after completing an approved program of study from an Australian or New Zealand medical school accredited by the Australian Medical Council
Criminal history check Complete a criminal history check in accordance with guidance issued from time to time by the Board or AHPRA
Fees Pay the required fee(s).

All documents submitted to support an application for registration must comply with the requirements for certifying and translating documents.

You may be required to submit additional information in support of your application to help the Board determine whether you are suitable for provisional registration.

During your provisional registration period, you must:

  • restrict your practise to the accredited intern position, and
  • comply with the Board’s registration standards for continuing professional development, professional indemnity insurance and recency of practice.

If you require another period of registration to complete your intern training, you can apply to renew your provisional registration. You will be required to attach a statement signed by your employer of the progress you have made towards meeting the requirements for general registration.

A suite of intern training documents detail the requirements of intern training including resources and tools for interns and providers of intern training.

If you hold provisional registration, you can apply for general registration online no more than four weeks before your anticipated internship completion date, through your online services account using your User ID. For more information on how to apply for general registration go to the provisional to general webpage.

 

Eligible medical interns can apply for an initial Medicare provider number online: A message from Services Australia

Australian and New Zealand medical graduates granted provisional registration without conditions or notations, can get an initial Medicare provider number online from Services Australia. After Ahpra sends Services Australia your registration details, Services Australia will email you to invite you to apply for a Medicare provider number using Health Professional Online Services (HPOS).

You can apply for a prescriber number at the same time. HPOS also allows you to view your application at any time and apply for additional Medicare provider numbers.

This is the fastest way to get your Medicare provider number. For more information about what you need to do before you receive the invitation email, please visit the Services Australia webpage.

 
 
 
Page reviewed 27/08/2018