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Download a PDF of these Guidelines - Supervised practice for international medical graduates (146KB)
Further information about supervision is available on the Supervision page.
These guidelines apply to international medical graduates (IMGs) who are granted limited registration or provisional registration under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law as in force in each state and territory (the National Law).
All IMGs who are granted limited registration or provisional registration must be supervised. Supervision remains a requirement of registration for the duration of the IMG’s limited or provisional registration.
These guidelines do not apply to Australian and New Zealand graduates with provisional registration (interns) who undertake a period of supervised practice in an accredited intern position. The supervision requirements for interns are specified in the National Internship Framework.
Supervision provides assurance to the Medical Board of Australia (the Board) and the community that the practice of the medical practitioner with limited or provisional registration is safe and is not putting the public at risk.
Supervision also monitors and supports the IMG throughout the period of limited or provisional registration. The supervision introduces and promotes a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
Formal supervision processes monitor and assess the IMG’s performance, within a structured framework. Performance review and feedback are important components of supervision. Feedback should describe the strengths of the IMG, areas that need development, and strategies that the IMG might employ to improve performance. Good supervision should enable the IMG to review and develop their practice in a constructive and supportive environment, and to develop and enhance their knowledge, skills and professionalism.
In deciding the level of supervision that is necessary, the Board will take into consideration a range of factors that include the:
During the period of limited or provisional registration, the Board will approve a principal supervisor as well as co-supervisor(s) depending on the employment arrangements.
At the end of the period of limited or provisional registration granted, and after considering the work performance reports provided by the supervisors, the Board will determine whether the IMG is suitable for ongoing registration.
Except where otherwise stated, the word ‘supervisor’, as used throughout these guidelines, refers to all types of supervisors including principal supervisor, co-supervisor, term co-supervisor and temporary co-supervisor.
All IMGs should have both formal and informal supervision, tailored to their level of supervision and individual needs.
All IMGs with provisional or limited registration must be supervised. The Board imposes specific obligations on the IMG, their supervisors and the IMG’s employer.
The levels of supervision are designed to ensure that the practice of the IMG is safe.
1Note that this is accreditation of the practice by an independent accreditation agency (Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL) or GPA ACCREDITATIONplus). This is separate to accreditation of the training post against RACGP and/or ACRRM standards for general practice education and training.
The Board requires supervisors to provide regular work performance reports regarding the IMGs that they are supervising.
The work performance reports should be completed and signed jointly by the principal supervisor and any co-supervisors responsible for direct supervision during the period of supervised practice.
If there is a change of supervisor during the period of supervision, where possible, the new supervisor should consult with the exiting supervisor to inform the work performance report.
IMGs and their supervisors may be audited to check compliance with the Board’s supervision requirements. The IMG, their supervisors and the IMG’s employer may be required to provide evidence that the IMG is practising in accordance with their level of supervision and the supervision arrangements approved by the Board.
These guidelines take effect on 4 January 2016.
The Board will review these guidelines from time to time.