What if I have questions?

The AMC Assessment Services Support section is available Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm AEST to answer your telephone enquiries. Alternatively, you can make email enquiries to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

How do I find out about the progress of my application?

The AMC will communicate with you at key points in the process and deals with applications as quickly as possible. You should not contact us unnecessarily—for example, to ask whether we have received your documents.

Did the AMC receive my mail?

We will send you an email to advise you that we have received your documents. If you do not receive an email, your email address may not be valid and you should contact the AMC call centre.

How long does the AMC take to process my application?

The time it takes the AMC to process an application depends on whether the application is satisfactory and meets the requirements set out in the booklet Applying to the Australian Medical Council. Initial assessment of an application takes three to five days, but may take longer if there are unforeseen circumstances.

What happens if my application is assessed as incomplete?

You have six months from the date of initial assessment to submit the outstanding required documentation. If you fail to provide the documentation in the six-month period, your application will lapse and you will be required to submit a new application with all required documentation and the full application fee. For further information, download the AMC's policy document on incomplete applications (PDF 368 KB).

Can the AMC answer questions about registration to practise medicine?

No. You must contact the Medical Board of Australia for information about registration.

How do I apply for a visa for entry to Australia?

The AMC does not handle visas. If you are outside Australia, you must contact an Australian embassy or high commission.

How can I obtain employment in Australia?

The AMC does not process applications for employment in Australia. Information about employment is available from Australian state and territory health authorities.

How can I obtain a Medicare provider number?

The AMC does not have information about Medicare provider numbers. Information about Medicare provider numbers is available from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

Can I change my address details over the telephone or by email?

Yes, the AMC will change your address details over the phone. However, you cannot change your address details by email, only by completing and attaching a change of address form.

I have a public health/traditional Chinese medicine/osteopathy qualification—can I apply?

The AMC will not accept any of the above qualifications as they are not a primary medical degree in medicine (clinical) and surgery.

What is a basic medical qualification?

A basic medical qualification is the formal qualification awarded after completion of a course of study in medicine (clinical), surgery and associated disciplines that enables the person holding the qualification to work as a medical practitioner in Australia.

General (non-specialist) medical registration in Australia requires a practitioner to complete a comprehensive program of training and examination.

Basic medical training consists of a primary medical degree obtained from a medical school accredited by the AMC after completion of one of the following:

• an undergraduate course in any discipline and then a 4-year, graduate entry medical course
• an undergraduate medical course of 5 or 6 years duration
• a 12-month internship in approved/accredited posts.

What is a specialist medical qualification?

A specialist medical qualification is a formal qualification awarded after completion of a comprehensive program of advanced postgraduate training in defined and legally recognised clinical disciplines.

In Australia, the education and training requirements for each medical specialty depend on the type of clinical medical practice, but can be summarised as:

• pre-vocational training involving broad practical clinical experience in the intern and second postgraduate years, during which career aspirations are clarified
• vocational training in a chosen specialty.

Vocational training commonly includes basic and advanced training for three to seven years, depending on the specialty.

The educational component of vocational training includes the completion of:

• a broad education program in basic medical sciences and clinical skills, with objective assessment of proficiency
• supervised practical training in accredited training programs that emphasise graduated practical experience and further development of a knowledge base in the science and practice of the specialty
• the requirements for fellowship of the specialist medical college, including a range of structured objective assessments and satisfactory supervisors' reports.

The structured assessments conducted during specialist training and the progressive increase in experience and level of responsibility are closely related. To be safe to practise as a specialist, it is not possible to sit and pass these examinations in isolation from the training program.

However, the specialist medical colleges allow medical practitioners who have undertaken comparable training and gained experience outside Australia and New Zealand to be assessed and recognised for specialist medical practice.

To encourage the development of additional skills and to broaden career paths, the colleges support participation in research and completion of postgraduate degrees (PhD, MD) during training or during periods when training is temporarily interrupted.

How can I authorise an agent (third party nominee) to act on my behalf?

Under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the AMC is generally not permitted to disclose personal information about a candidate to a third party (e.g. agent, employer) without the candidate's consent. A candidate may authorise a third party (agent) to communicate or act on the candidate's behalf by completing the Authority to Receive Information Concerning an AMC Candidate/Applicant Form.