overseas-trained specialists applying for assessment of comparability to the standard of a specialist trained in that specialty in Australia (specialist recognition)
overseas-trained specialists applying for an area of need specialist level position in Australia (area of need)

Eligibility

IMGs who have a primary qualification in medicine and surgery awarded by a training institution recognised by both the Australian Medical Council and the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) and who 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).

If you currently hold, or previously held, general registration you are not eligible to apply for the specialist pathway. You can complete the requirements for specialist registration while holding general registration, through a separate process. You are not eligible to apply for limited or provisional registration to complete the specialist recognition process.

Primary source verification

Before applying for the Specialist pathway, IMGs must apply to the Australian Medical Council (AMC) for primary source verification of their qualifications.

The AMC verify qualifications through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC).

Further information is available on the AMC website.

Specialist pathway

There are two pathways within the Specialist pathway:

Specialist pathway - specialist recognition:

the IMG applies directly to the relevant specialist medical college who assesses comparability against the criteria for an Australian-trained specialist in the same field of specialty practice
the outcome of the specialist medical college's assessment will determine the relevant registration type
the relevant specialist medical college will require the IMG to undertake a period of supervised practice, which may include other requirements such as workplace-based assessments, training or examinations, before recommending that the IMG be granted recognition as a specialist.

Learn more about the Specialist pathway - specialist recognition

Specialist pathway - area of need:

the IMG applies directly to the specialist medical college who assesses their qualifications and relevant experience against the specified requirements of a position in a confirmed area of need
area of need is determined by the relevant state or territory health authority (the AMC, the college and the Board have no role in determining which areas are declared area of need)
this pathway does not lead to specialist registration. IMGs on the Specialist pathway - area of need can also be on the Specialist pathway - specialist recognition if they wish to gain specialist registration with the Board.

Learn more about the Specialist pathway - area of need

How to apply for the Specialist pathway

IMGs apply directly to the specialist medical college for the Specialist pathway.

Application forms for the Specialist pathway - specialist recognition and Specialist pathway - area of need are available on the relevant college website. A list of the college websites is available below:

Specialist medical colleges, PDF (71.7 KB,PDF)

Process for applying for Specialist pathway (specialist recognition or area of need or both):

Apply to the AMC for primary source verification

See how to apply for PSV at the AMC website

Apply to the relevant specialist medical college for assessment

Download an application form from the college website (specialist recognition or area of need or both)

Complete your application form

Attach the supporting documentation including primary medical qualifications
Ensure your supporting documents meet college requirements i.e. copies of documents are correctly certified, documents are translated into English (if required) by an authorised service
If you are applying for an Area of need assessment, ensure you attach the area of need declaration, position description, offer of employment and location details

Review your application before you submit

Supporting documents must be attached and meet the document requirements of the college
Payment of the fee must be included

Incomplete applications will result in delays to your assessment and may incur a fee

Submit your application to the college

Incomplete applications will not be progressed

College confirms receipt of your application

This is not a confirmation of assessment

College sends you the assessment outcome

Your assessment outcome will determine whether you can apply to the Medical Board of Australia for limited or provisional registration or specialist registration

Download a PDF of How to apply for the Specialist pathway (specialist recognition or area of need or both) (212 KB,PDF)

Medical registration

The outcome of a specialist medical college’s assessment of the IMG’s application for the Specialist pathway will determine the type of registration the IMG may apply for with the Board. The Board makes the final decision on whether to grant registration.

An IMG who qualifies for provisional/general registration, via the Competent Authority Pathway, is not eligible to apply for limited registration. They must apply for provisional registration.

Registration types for IMGs on the Specialist pathway:

Pathway	Assessment outcome	Registration type
Specialist pathway – specialist recognition	IMGs who have been assessed by the college as substantially comparable or partially comparable and are working towards specialist recognition	Limited registration for postgraduate training or supervised practice OR Provisional registration (for IMGs qualified for the Competent Authority pathway)
Specialist pathway – area of need	IMGs who have been assessed by the college as suitable for an area of need position	Limited registration for area of need OR Provisional registration (for IMGs qualified for the Competent Authority pathway)
Specialist pathway – specialist recognition and area of need	IMGs who have been assessed by the college for specialist recognition and an area of need position	Limited registration for area of need OR Provisional registration (for IMGs qualified for the Competent Authority pathway)
Specialist pathway – specialist recognition	IMGs who have been admitted as Fellows of an AMC accredited specialist medical college, or who have been advised by the college that they are eligible for fellowship	Specialist registration

IMGs with limited or provisional registration must work under supervision. Further information about supervision is available on the Supervision page.

In addition, all IMGs are required to comply with the Board’s registration standards.

The list of specialties that have been approved by the Ministerial Council is available: Specialties and specialty fields.

Further information

Standards, reports and resources.

Page reviewed 28/08/2023

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