Final-year medical students urged to apply for registration online now

16 Nov 2015

Final-year medical students who will soon complete an approved program of study can go online now to apply for registration before they graduate.

The online graduate application service on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website smooths the path from study to work by enabling final-year students to apply for registration four to six weeks before completing their course.

Medical graduates of an approved program of study must apply for provisional registration to undertake a period of internship in Australia, before being eligible for general registration.

All applicants are required to return supporting documents to AHPRA by mail to complete their application - see Next Steps Checklist. It is important that this is done as soon as possible after applying online so applicants can be granted provisional registration in time to start their internships in an accredited position.

Certain applicants will need to apply for an international criminal history check (ICHC) before submitting their application for registration.

Graduates must meet the Medical Board of Australia’s registration requirements to be a registered medical practitioner. Registration standards that relate to medical graduates are: 

• criminal history 
• English language skills, and 
• professional indemnity insurance.

There are six simple steps to registration for graduates:

1. Students apply for registration four to six weeks before completing their program at Graduate applications on the AHPRA website. 
2. Applicants fill out an online application (if eligible) or download an application form. 
3. Applicants send supporting documents to AHPRA by mail to complete the application. 
4. Education providers advise AHPRA when applicants are eligible to graduate. 
5. AHPRA finalises assessment, confirms registration, publishes new graduates’ names on the national register of practitioners and sends out registration certificates. 
6. New graduates registered with the National Board are eligible to start work as soon as their name is published on the national register.

For more information

• Go to Graduate applications on the AHPRA website for FAQ and links to more information 
• For registration enquiries or difficulties in accessing the online application form: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) 
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200