Short term training in a medical specialty pathway

SIMGs or SIMGs in training who would like to complete a short period of specialist or advanced training in Australia.

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

To be eligible for the Short-term training pathway, SIMGs must have satisfied all the training and examination requirements to practise in their field of specialty in their country of training or be a SIMG in training within two years of completing their specialist training.

They also need to have already secured an offer of a training position in Australia.

The Short-term training pathway does not lead to ongoing registration in Australia. It is short term only and does not lead to specialist registration. IMGs on this pathway return to their country after completing their training.

IMGs on the Short-term training pathway need to apply for limited or provisional registration to undertake their training.

• Apply to the AMC for primary source verification (PSV) of your primary and specialist qualifications. The AMC uses ECFMG verification services.
• Apply to the ECFMG to establish an EPIC/MyIntealth account for verification of your qualifications.
• Secure a suitable training position in Australia.
• Apply to the relevant specialist medical college for an assessment of your suitability for the training position (using Medical Board application form AAMC-30 – see below).
• The specialist medical college assesses your suitability for the training position.
• The specialist college will send you the outcome of the assessment – suitable or not suitable for the position.
• Apply to the Medical Board for limited registration. You can apply for provisional registration if you are also eligible for the Competent Authority pathway.

• You can start practising when the Medical Board has granted you provisional or limited registration.
• Complete an orientation to the Australian health system.
• After three months practice, submit orientation and work performance reports (see Supervision arrangements and forms below).
• Submit a work performance report at annual renewal of registration.

There are different fees charged by different organisations for different purposes.

• The AMC charges a fee to establish an AMC candidate account for you, so it can arrange primary source verification (PSV) of your qualifications. Contact the AMC for fee information.
• ECFMG charge a fee for the EPIC PSV service. Contact the ECFMG for more information about fees.
• The specialist medical colleges charge fees for an assessment of suitability for the short-term training pathway. See the relevant college website about fees for IMGs.
• Ahpra and the Medical Board charge an application fee and a registration fee for limited or provisional registration. See the Medical Board fees page.
• CPD homes charge a joining fee. See the relevant CPD home for fees.

The application and medical registration forms are on the Board’s forms page.

• Application for assessment by a medical college - AAMC-30

Application forms for provisional or limited registration

• Application for provisional registration as a medical practitioner - Australian Medical Council certificate holders or applicants via the competent authority pathway - APRI-30

OR

• Application for limited registration postgraduate training or supervised practice as a medical practitioner - ALPS-30

IMGs on the Short-term training pathway must be supervised while undertaking their training.

The supervision forms are on the Board’s IMG supervision page.

IMGs need to submit a supervised practice plan with their application for registration and nominate a supervisor who the Board will need to approve.

• Supervised practice plan and supervisor's agreement for IMGs with limited or provisional registration - SPPA-30

While you are undertaking your training, holding limited or provisional registration, you and your supervisor will need to complete these reports and provide them to the Board after three months’ practice:

• Orientation report for IMGs with limited or provisional registration - ORIG-30
• Work performance report for IMGs with limited or provisional registration - WRIG-30

See the Guidelines - Supervised practice for international medical graduates on the Board’s supervision page for more details.

Registration standards define the requirements to apply for registration and for ongoing registration.

For limited registrants - Limited registration for postgraduate training or supervised practice registration standard.

See also the mandatory registration standards for English language, criminal history, CPD, professional indemnity insurance and recency of practice on the Board’s registration standards page.

If you are on the Short-term training pathway and you have limited or provisional registration, you need to have a CPD home and do 50 hours CPD each calendar year.

You can choose an AMC-accredited CPD home that is suitable for your scope of practice – either a college or non-college CPD home. The CPD homes are listed on the Board’s About CPD homes page.

General information about CPD is on the Board’s CPD page.

Guidelines - Short-term training in a medical specialty for international medical graduates who are not qualified for general or specialist registration are on the Board’s codes and guidelines page.

A list of the specialist medical colleges is available on the Board’s Useful contacts webpage.