Specialist Pathway (specialist recognition)

Under the Specialist Pathway (specialist recognition), AMC-accredited specialist medical colleges assess the training and qualifications of overseas-trained specialists for comparability with the training and qualifications of specialists trained in Australia. The colleges set the standards of training and coordinate the training, education and examination of medical specialists in Australia. You must be assessed by an AMC-accredited specialist medical college before you can apply to the Medical Board of Australia for specialist registration.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for specialist assessment, you must:

  • have been awarded your primary medical qualification from a training institution listed in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) on the FAIMER website
  • have satisfied all the training and examination requirements to practise in your field of specialty in your country of training. If you cannot meet this requirement, you may be eligible to apply for the Standard Pathway (AMC examinations) and then for a specialist medical college training program.

If your specialist qualification is not in the specialty being assessed, you must provide evidence that the training and examination requirements were completed and passed for that specialty (e.g. obtain a letter from the college confirming this information or a copy of your training or examination curriculum).

Process summary

Your training institution is listed on IMED FAIMER website for your primary medical qualification---Complete and satisfy all training and examination requirements to practise in your field of specialty in your country of training---Do you have an AMC candidate number?---If yes, Complete Specialist application forms (A & B)---If no, Apply online or complete Specialist application forms (A & B)---If you applied online, complete forms P1 and Specialist Application (B)---Complete, sign and witness the Specialist application forms and all supporting documents as listed in the checklists---The AMC assesses your application---Primary medical qualification and specialist qualification/s sent to ECFMG for EICS verification---Receive an email to confirm the outcome of your assessment---If your application is assessed as complete, the AMC refers your application to the relevant specialist medical college---Specialist medical college completes its assessment and advises AMC of the outcome---The AMC advises you and the Medical Board of Australia of the outcome of the college’s assessment

Assessment process

The AMC and the specialist medical colleges have different roles in the assessment process:

  • The AMC assesses the information in your application and your supporting documentation (as listed in your application checklist) to determine whether it can refer your application to the relevant specialist college.
  • The specialist medical college assesses your training and experience for comparability with the training and experience of an Australian-trained specialist.

The Medical Board of Australia, which administers the registration laws, makes the final decision on whether to grant limited or specialist registration.

Information on registration and application forms for specified training are available on the Medical Board of Australia website.

The AMC administers the application process and assesses your application and documentation. It does not:

  • advise you on your specialist qualifications, training or experience unless you have completed a formal assessment through the procedures outlined on this website
  • provide information on the training, examination or other requirements of the specialist colleges (you should ask the relevant college about such matters)
  • issue visas or offer any advice on migration to Australia (information on immigration is available from the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship).
  • have any involvement in employing doctors in Australia (information on employment is available from Australian state and territory health authorities).
  • process applications for postgraduate or specialist training in Australia (information may be available from the relevant specialist college).

How to apply

Download the step-by-step instructions on how to apply for the Specialist Pathway (specialist recognition) (427KB).

Curriculum vitae

As part of your application, you must include a CV that includes the following information:

  • a list of your primary and specialist qualifications, including dates awarded
  • the details of your primary and specialist training
  • the start and end dates (month and year) of current and previous jobs and a description of the day-to-day duties of each job held
  • a list of current registering authorities
  • a list of your publications or research papers
  • examinations you have undertaken
  • any other activities you have been involved in
  • the details of at least three current referees.

You will also need to explain any gaps in your employment history.

You must incorporate the required information in your CV and not provide it as attachments.

A curriculum template is available on the AMC Forms webpage to assist you in preparing your application for assessment by the relevant specialist college.

AMC Forms
Application Procedures and Requirements for Specialist Assessment (PDF 1MB)
Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship
FAQs
International Medical Education Directory
Medical Board of Australia
Specialist medical colleges (PDF 64KB)
State and territory health authorities (PDF 57KB)
Quick Guide on Applying to the Australian Medical Council
Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 January 2012 11:32
 
Australian Medical Council