IMGs via the competent authority pathway

Registration

The competent authority pathway is for international medical graduates (IMGs) who are non-specialists or specialists and who are seeking general registration.

IMGs who meet the criteria of one of the competent authority categories must apply for provisional registration so that they can complete a period of approved supervised practise to become eligible for general registration.

Learn more about the competent authority pathway.

How to apply for provisional registration

All application forms for provisional registration are available on the forms page.

Requirements for provisional registration

Eligibility for the competent authority pathway	Provide evidence of your eligibility for registration via the competent authority pathway.
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 course of study at a medical school listed by both the Australian Medical Council AMC) and the World Directory of Medical Schools or other publications approved by the AMC and/or the Board. An approved course of study means that you must be able to demonstrate that you have completed a medical curriculum leading to an entitlement to registration in the country issuing the degree to practise clinical medicine.
Primary source verification of your qualifications	Provide evidence that you have applied for, or have the results of, primary source verification of your medical qualifications by an authority approved by the Board. You must apply to the Australian Medical Council who will verify your qualifications through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates ECFMG) Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials EPIC).
Medical internship or comparable	Provide evidence of satisfactory completion of a medical internship or comparable.
Registration history	Provide details of registration history outside of Australia. If you previously had, or currently have registration as a health practitioner in a country outside of Australia, you are also required to arrange certificates of good standing/registration status (or equivalent type of certificate) from each registration authority that you have been registered with in the past 10 years. The certificates should be supplied directly to the Board from the relevant registration authority, unless the relevant authority confirms it is not able to issue a certificate directly to the Board.
Curriculum vitae	Provide a curriculum vitae that meets the standard format that has been approved by the Board.
Criminal history check	Complete a criminal history check in accordance with guidance issued from time to time by the Board or AHPRA
Employer details and supervised practice plan	Provide the following information from your proposed employer: 1. written confirmation of your offer of employment 2. employer contact details 3. position description including key selection criteria addressing clinical responsibilities and qualifications and experience required to meet the requirements of the position 4. name, qualifications and contact details of the proposed principal supervisor and any co-supervisors, and 5. a supervised practice plan, prepared in accordance with the Board’s guidelines for supervision of international medical graduates. The supervision plan includes details about the supervisor/s, describes how supervision will be provided to ensure safe practice, and includes details of CPD activities in accordance with the Board’s CPD registration standard. It will also include written confirmation from the proposed principal supervisor that they agree to provide supervision and to comply with supervision obligations as required by the Board.
Pre-employment structured clinical interview (PESCI)	If you are proposing to work in general practice, provide the results of a PESCI with a provider approved by the Board that confirms that you are suitable for the specific position.
Fees	Pay the required fee(s).

Documents supporting your application

If you have previously been, or are currently registered in a health profession in Australia under the National Scheme and have therefore provided information to a Board previously, some of the documentation requirements for registration may be waived. In most cases, the application forms indicate whether a requirement or document is waived.

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 for provisional registration to help the Board determine whether you are suitable for provisional registration.

Responsibilities of provisional registration

During the registration period, you must:

work under supervision and in the position for which registration was granted
comply with the Board’s registration standards for continuing professional development, professional indemnity insurance and recency of practice
comply with the supervision plan approved by the Board
ensure your principal supervisor provides regular reports to the Board regarding your work performance as described in the Board’s guidelines for supervision of international medical graduates, and
perform satisfactorily in the position for which you were registered to practise.

If you do not maintain your employment in the position for which provisional registration was granted, you are unable to comply with the requirements on your practice and therefore cannot practise medicine until the Board grants approval for a new position.

Renewal of provisional registration

When you apply to renew your provisional registration, you must:

complete a renewal of registration application that includes the annual renewal statement in accordance with the provisions in the National Law, section 109
demonstrate compliance with any conditions, undertakings or requirements on your registration set by the Board
submit work performance reports in accordance with the Board’s guidelines for supervision of international medical graduates, and
demonstrate that you have performed satisfactorily in the preceding registration period. This is usually demonstrated through the submission of work performance reports (template WRIG-30).

Applying for a change in circumstances

If you wish to change the circumstances under which your registration was granted, you must apply to the Board for approval of any proposed changes. For example, if you want to work in a new position, want to change or add work sites to your existing position, change supervisors or change supervision levels, you must complete the Request for change in circumstances for international medical graduates with limited or provisional registration form (ACCL-30) for the Board’s consideration.

IMGs who are on the specialist pathway who are participating in hospital based, college supervised exam preparation and/or fellowship exams, outside their approved registration location(s), do not need Board approval of the additional locations, provided the IMG has no patient care responsibilities and they do not interfere with or intervene in the management of any patients. IMGs will need to seek the approval of the hospital to participate in these activities.