| Ahpra |
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency is the national organisation responsible for implementing the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme) across Australia. |
| Area of need |
Is a geographical location where the medical needs of its population are unmet. Individual Australian State and territory governments determine their own AoN locations. |
| AMC examination status |
· eligible The status on the candidate’s AMC account to indicate eligibility to proceed with the AMC examinations process.
· not eligible The status on the candidate’s AMC account to indicate inability to proceed with the AMC examinations process. This can be due to either outstanding requirements or no verification status (outsourced or verified) received for the medical degree (final medical diploma/primary qualification) in medicine and surgery. |
| AMC portfolio |
This is an online application to the AMC for new and existing candidates. This platform allows candidates to add details of the medical degree (final medical diploma/primary qualification) in medicine and surgery and/or specialist/postgraduate qualifications to be verified for registration and/or college assessment purposes. |
| Authorised translation service |
A registered or sworn translator; their details must appear on each translated page. |
| CAT |
A form of computer-based test administration in which each candidate takes a unique, customised examination. The AMC Multiple Choice Examination is a CAT exam. |
| CAT MCQ examination authorisation |
An AMC-issued document authorising an eligible applicant to schedule for one examination event covered in a 12-month period (authorisation period). Once the authorisation has been consumed and the candidate needs to resit the examination, another authorisation can be purchased to reschedule for another CAT examination. |
| CAT MCQ examination event |
One of a number of events within a 12-month authorisation period—you can choose to sit the CAT MCQ examination at only one of the events. |
| Competent authority |
An overseas assessment or accreditation body approved by the Medical Board of Australia, with advice from the AMC, as competent to assess for medical registration the applied medical knowledge and basic clinical skills of IMGs. List of competent authorities are available on the Medical Board of Australia’s website. |
| Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates |
ECFMG is a member of Intealth serves international organisations and authorities involved in medical registration, licensing and assessment by obtaining primary source verification of the medical education and registration credentials of medical graduates who completed their medical education outside their jurisdictions. |
| EICS ECFMG International Credentials Services |
This was the verification previously used (mid 2006 to 2015). Qualifications verified through EICS verification remains valid. |
| Final medical diploma |
Medical degree (final medical diploma/primary qualification) in medicine and surgery. |
| Full English translation |
A word-for-word translation from the original language to English. |
| Intealth |
Provides services that enhance and support the education and training of health care professionals, verify their qualifications required to practice, and inform the development of health workforce policies around the world. |
| International Medical Graduate |
· obtained a medical degree (final medical diploma/primary qualification) in medicine and surgery from a an eligible medical school including confirming the degree title and graduation years are eligible as on the AMC website.
· completed additional postgraduate specialty training and examinations and is awarded specialist and/or postgraduate medical education qualifications and recognised as a specialist in the country that provided the training. |
| Medical Board of Australia |
· registers medical practitioners and medical students
· develops standards, codes and guidelines for the medical profession
· investigates notifications and complaints about medical practitioners
· where necessary, conducts panel hearings and refers serious matters to Tribunal hearings
· assesses international medical graduates who wish to practise in Australia, and
· approves accreditation standards and accredited courses of study. |
| Medical degree |
Final medical diploma/primary qualification in medicine and surgery |
| MyIntealth |
Online environment for accessing services offered by Intealth and its members, ECFMG and FAIMER. |
| Pearson VUE |
Provider who delivers the AMC CAT MCQ examination in Pearson VUE test centres in Australia and internationally and where an eligible candidate can schedule for a AMC CAT MCQ exam event. |
| Pilot items |
Non-scored items in the AMC CAT MCQ examination used to test and calibrate new questions for possible use in future examinations. |
| PLAB |
Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test of the General Medical Council of the UK. |
| Pre Employment Structured Clinical Interview |
A PESCI is an objective assessment of the clinical experience, knowledge, skills and attributes of an international medical graduate to determine whether they are suitable to practise in a specific position for which they are seeking registration. The Medical Board of Australia decides whether or not a PESCI is required, based on the nature of the position and the level of risk inherent in it. The AMC accredits PESCI providers. |
| Primary source verification |
The process to check an international medical graduates’ reported credentials and qualifications. Primary sources include medical school degree certificates, specialist qualifications, postgraduate medical education credentials (specialty training or residency credentials). The AMC uses the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates’ service to verify each international medical graduates’ qualification and credentials. |
| Statutory declaration |
A written statement declared to be true in the presence of an eligible witness. |
| Workplace Based Assessment |
The WBA pathway it is an alternative to the AMC clinical exam component of the Standard assessment pathway for international medical graduates. A WBA program is a structured program (minimum six months) of on-the-job assessment. It tests if the candidate has adequate and appropriate set of clinical skills and the professional qualities to practise safely within the Australian healthcare environment and cultural setting. The AMC accredits the programs of WBA providers. |
