Do I need to have my overseas qualifications verified to practise as a specialist in Australia?

Yes. You must have your overseas qualifications verified if your primary medical and/or specialist qualifications are not recognised in Australia. However, if your primary medical qualification was issued by an Australian or New Zealand training institution, you should contact the relevant specialist college for guidance and further information on whether you are required to apply through the AMC for the Specialist Pathway.

What assessment pathways are available for overseas-trained specialists whose primary medical qualifications are not recognised in Australia?

Two assessment pathways are available:

• Specialist Pathway (recognition). The Specialist Pathway (recognition) is for overseas-trained specialists who are seeking recognition for the purpose of obtaining registration to practise unsupervised or independently in Australia. They must have satisfied all the training and examination requirements to practise in their recognised field of specialty in their country of training.
• Area of Need Specialist Pathway. The Specialist Area of Need assessment process is for overseas-trained specialists who have been selected by an employer as suitable for consideration for appointment to designated area of need specialist positions in Australia.

Registration for area of need specialist positions is likely to include limitations on the location, nature and extent of practice. Information about Australian state and territory government schemes to recruit overseas-trained doctors to rural areas is available from state and territory health departments.

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.

Can the AMC give me any advice on my specialist and/or area of need assessment?

No. The AMC cannot advise on your specialist qualifications, training or experience until you complete a formal assessment through the procedures outlined on this website.

Can the AMC advise me on my training and assessment choices?

No. The AMC cannot advise you on your training or assessment choices. Inquiries about training, examination or other requirements of the Australian or Australasian specialist colleges should be directed to the college concerned.

Can the AMC help me if I want to undertake further specialist training in Australia and then return to my home country?

No. The AMC cannot help you as we are not involved in processing applications for postgraduate or specialist training in Australia.

If you intend to complete postgraduate or specialist training in Australia and then return to your home (or another) country, it is possible that you would be regarded as a specialist-in-training.

Further information about training programs is available from the specialist colleges. Information about registration during training is available on the Medical Board of Australia website.

How do I begin the specialist assessment process?

You may apply online or you may apply through the AMC by downloading the application form available on the forms page of the AMC website. The AMC fee structure is also on the website.

The procedures for area of need specialists are different. You can download the booklet Applying to the Australian Medical Council and the relevant application information from this website.

What is the AMC's role in the assessment process?

The AMC:

• undertakes the initial assessment of applications on behalf of the specialist colleges
• reports the outcome of the assessment to the applicant and the Medical Board of Australia.

The AMC has no direct role in the formal assessment of overseas-trained specialists.

How long does it take for specialist and area of need specialist assessment applications to be processed?

The AMC processes all applications strictly in the order they are received. The processing time depends on whether the application is satisfactory and meets the requirements set out in the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

The AMC processes specialist assessment applications that are completed correctly by the candidate and meet all the documentation requirements set out in the step-by-step instructions on how to apply. The AMC cannot comment on specialist college processing times.

Specialist Area of Need applications are processed as a priority. However, the processing time depends on whether the application is satisfactory and meets the requirements set out in the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

How much does it cost to be assessed as a specialist?

The AMC fee structure is available on the website. You must pay the fee when you lodge the application form with the required documents. Each application requires payment of an application fee; the fee is non-refundable.

Information about specialist college interview and assessment fees for the Specialist Pathway is available on college websites. You should contact the relevant college for information about fees for Specialist Area of Need Pathway assessments.

What are the closing dates for specialist assessment applications?

There are no closing dates for specialist assessment applications.