Assessment of Specialist Medical Qualifications

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Assessment

Specialist practice in Australia

Specialist medical training and practice in Australia arose from the model of postgraduate advanced clinical training developed in the United Kingdom. National specialist medical colleges set the standards of training and coordinate the training, education and examination of medical specialists in Australia. Table 1 sets out the areas of medical practice assessed by the specialist colleges in Australia.

Standards for specialist assessment

Overseas-trained specialists applying for specialist assessment will be expected to have satisfied all the training and examination requirements to practise in their field of specialty in their country of training.

The standard applied to the assessment of overseas-trained specialists will be a standard of comparability to an Australian trained specialist in that field. Where components of the specialist medical college examination and assessment procedures are applied, they will be the same components or derived from the same examination components that apply to local specialist trainees.

Eligibility for specialist assessment

To be eligible for assessment as a specialist, you must hold a primary degree in medicine and surgery issued by a medical school listed in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) of the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research; or other publications approved by the AMC.

Degrees in traditional Chinese medicine and the degree of Doctor of Osteopathy (awarded in the United States) are not recognised as primary qualifications for the purposes of specialist assessment.

You must also have completed formal postgraduate training in one of the fields of specialist medical practice recognised in Australia.

You do not have to hold Australian or New Zealand permanent resident status or citizenship.

From January 2009, you must demonstrate English Language Proficiency by providing evidence in accordance with the national policy.

We reserve the right to verify the authenticity of your formal qualifications directly with the awarding institution or through recognised international agencies, such as the International Credentials Services of the United States Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (EICS).

Procedures for assessment of overseas specialist qualifications

Fellows of Australian specialist medical colleges

If you are a Fellow of an Australian or Australasian specialist medical college in a recognised field of specialisation, you may apply direct to the relevant state or territory medical board for conditional registration.

Overseas-trained specialists who are not Fellows of an Australian specialist college

Note: If you have access to the internet specialist applications can be made online

For other overseas-trained specialists, the procedures are:

Apply online.
Return the application forms, required documentation and assessment fee to us. We will assess your eligibility to present for specialist assessment by the relevant specialist medical college. If you are eligible and your documentation meets the requirements, we will forward your documentation to the assessing college.
The college will assess your application. You will need to pay the college's interview or assessment fees directly to the college.

Applicants for assessment by the Adult Medicine Division or the Paediatrics and Child Health Division of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians will be required by the college to complete an Application Form for an overseas-trained Physician/Paediatrician Seeking Assessment by The Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
When the college assessment is complete, the AMC will advise you and the state and territory medical boards of the outcome.

If you are currently living overseas, it is in your own interests not to leave your country before we have confirmed your eligibility to have your specialist qualifications assessed and the assessment has been completed.

College assessment procedures

The specialist medical colleges' assessment procedures follow their formal assessment programs as applied to local trainees.

The assessment may include:

initial assessment of documentary evidence of specialist training overseas and relevant experience, including a review of log books etc.
a formal interview
Part I or Primary Examination of the relevant college (or a modified examination based on the Part I Examination)
further specialist training
Part II (Membership or Fellowship) Examination (or a modified examination based on the Part II Examination).

Most colleges require applicants to present for an examination as part of the assessment process (examination requirements are summarised in Table 2).

See Table 3 for a list of Specialist Medical College Interview and Assessment Fees.

Note: The colleges' assessment requirements and procedures may be changed at any time.

College requires further training

It has been found that many overseas-trained doctors require advanced specialist training to meet the standards required to practise in Australia.

After initial assessment by a college, you may be given restricted registration by a medical board for up to two years to complete supervised specialist practice, where the college has specified this as a requirement for full registration. If the college directs you to complete more than two years of further training, the state or territory medical boards may require you to pass the AMC Examinations and obtain the AMC Certificate to gain unconditional registration.

While you might fulfill a college's requirements for registration to practise in Australia, you might not be eligible to apply for election to fellowship of the college without meeting further requirements of the college. This could include some form of bridging training or experience. Further information should be sought from the relevant college.

There are limited numbers of advanced training positions in Australia, and these are subject to open competition with Australian specialist trainees.

What the AMC does not do

The AMC cannot advise you on your specialist qualifications, training or experience without completing a formal assessment through the procedures outlined in this website.
We cannot provide further information on the training, examination or other requirements of the specialist medical colleges. You should direct inquiries about such matters to the relevant college.
We are not involved in issuing visas or migration to Australia. Direct such enquiries to the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
We are not involved in the employment of doctors in Australia. Further information on employment is available from Australian state and territory health departments.
We do not process applications for postgraduate or specialist training in Australia. Further information may be available from the relevant specialist medical college.

Table 2: Summary of college training/examinations

Specialist college	Usual examination requirement	Comments
Anaesthetists	All applicants may be required to undertake all or part of either the Final FANZCA examination or a modified version of this examination	Candidates may also be required to undertake a period of supervised practice of up to 24 months (Clinical Practice Assessment CPA). The CPA can be undertaken concurrently, or before or after the examination. All applicants have five years from the date of interview to complete requirements.
Dermatologists	Applicants may be required to successfully complete some or all parts of the ACD's Fellowship examination.	All applicants may be required to successfully complete up to two years of accredited supervised clinical training.
Emergency Medicine	Most applicants are required to sit the Fellowship examination, and some applicants will also be required to sit the Primary (basic sciences) examination.	Most applicants are required to undertake a period of supervised clinical attachment in an approved emergency department.
General Practitioners	Those overseas-trained doctors with equivalent training and qualifications are granted FRACGP ad eundum gradum without further requirements.	Currently FRNZCGP; MRCGP and Certificate of the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice (UK); Certificate in Family Practice from the College of Family Physicians of Canada and successful completion of both parts of the Medical Council of Canada qualifying examination.
	Other overseas-trained doctors with recognised training and qualifications are eligible to sit the FRACGP examination without further requirements.	Currently MRCGP; Certificate of the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice (UK); Membership of the Irish College of General Practitioners; Certificate of the American Board of Family Practice; Master of Family Medicine, South Africa; Master of Prax Medicine, South Africa; Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Family Physician; Membership of the College of Family Practitioners by examination (MFGP/MCFP) South Africa; Master of Medicine (Family Medicine) from the National University of Singapore.
	Those overseas-trained doctors without recognised training and qualifications or GP experience may apply to join the RACGP Training Program and then sit for the FRACGP examination.
	Those overseas-trained doctors with over 4 years full-time GP experience (or part-time equivalent) recognised by the RACGP may sit the FRACGP examination.
Medical Administrators	Final oral examination used as a screening test.
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists	Applicants may be required to successfully complete the MRANZCOG Written Examination, In-hospital Clinical Assessments, MRANZCOG Oral Examination and two years of prospectively approved accredited post-membership training
Occupational Medicine	All applicants are likely to be required to sit some component of the Fellowship exam.	A special basic sciences exam may be required.
Ophthalmologists	The written component of the RANZCO Advanced Clinical Exam (RACE) is likely to be required as a first step.	For many there may also be a requirement for a period of supervised practice.
Paediatricians	In most cases, Part I written and clinical or clinical alone will be required to confirm clinical competence.
Pathologists	All applicants will be required to sit at least the oral component of the Part II Exam	Part I Exam is the major barrier in Australian Fellowship program.
Physicians	In most cases, Part I written and clinical or clinical alone will be required.	Subspecialty long case exam will be at the level expected of an Australian Trainee completing training.
Psychiatrists		Special Day 1 viva only exam may be used in special cases.
Public Health Medicine	All applicants are required to complete a period of supervised training before specialist assessment. Assessment will include an oral examination, an examination of the applicant's curriculum vitae including details of their work and experience, their publications, reports etc., and a consideration of the record of their training program, including supervisors' reports.	All applicants will be required to hold a recognised degree of Master of Public Health or its equivalent.
Radiologists	Most applicants will be required to complete the college Part II Exam.
Rehabilitation Medicine	In most cases, Part II written and clinical or clinical alone will be required to confirm clinical competence.
Surgeons	Most applicants will be required to complete the college Part II Exam. For many there may also be a prior requirement for a period of supervised practice.	Where an applicant has not completed an equivalent assessment, a pass in the college Part I Examination may be the first requirement.

Further training and/or examinations requirements

Periods of advanced specialist training will conform with normal college requirements of an accredited position under supervision and subject to satisfactory supervisor/mentor reports. In general, examinations will be taken as part of the normal college program and under the normal college examination format. It would be necessary to enrol in the college training program in order to complete these requirements.

Table 3: Specialist Medical College Interview/Assessment Fees

Please Note: The following fees are as notified by the relevant college to the AMC. Applicants are advised that college fees are subject to variation from time to time, and further information should be sought direct from the relevant College. (See paragraph D31 of the Information Booklet for Applicants.)

Fees are inclusive of the GST, where this is payable.

College	$
Australian and NZ College of Anaesthetists Area of Need Assessment Specialist Assessment	1441 4323
Australasian College of Dental Surgeons	4040
Australasian College of Dermatologists Initial assessment fee If asked to attend for an interview, applicants must pay an interview fee	4884 4884
Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Area of Need Assessment Specialist Assessment	1000 2000
Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine	6700
Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine	6700
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners	195
Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (If asked to attend for an interview, applicants must pay an interview fee)	500 1500
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Initial assessment fee If asked to attend for an interview, applicants must pay an interview fee	2046 4092
Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine	6700
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists Standard Specialist Assessment Dual Area of Need and Specialist Assessment	3900 3900
Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Residing overseas Residing in Australia	2500 2750
Royal Australasian College of Physicians Paediatrics and Child Health Division Adult Medicine Division	6700 6700
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists	4300
Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine	6700
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists	1600
Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine	6700
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons – Initial assessment & interview fee If an interview is not required, the interview component of the assessment fee $4669.50 will be refunded.	7062
Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine	6700
College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand Area of Need Assessment Specialist Assessment	1650 3850
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine	550
Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons	4040

Submit your specialist application online now.

Last Updated on Thursday, 10 June 2010 11:41