Standard Pathway

The Assessment Services section is available for telephone enquiries Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. Alternatively, you can contact us via our Contact Form.

The Standard Pathway is for international medical graduates (IMGs) seeking general registration with the Medical Board of Australia (the Board) and involves completion of the written examination (CAT MCQ) and the structured clinical examination of the Australian Medical Council (AMC) or approved workplace based assessment program.

How to apply

Refer to Establish an AMC portfolio

IMGs who have a primary qualification in medicine and surgery awarded by a training institution recognised by the AMC is eligible to apply for assessment under this pathway.

Eligibility

The Standard Pathway is for IMGs who are not eligible for the Competent Authority Pathway or the Specialist Pathway.

IMGs who have completed a primary qualification in medicine and surgery, awarded by a training institution recognised by the AMC is eligible to apply for assessment under this pathway.

The Standard Pathway has two alternative processes leading to the award of the AMC Certificate:

Standard Pathway (AMC examinations) – Assessment is by examination only—the AMC CAT MCQ Examination and the AMC Clinical Examination. Most non-specialist applicants will be assessed through this method.
Standard Pathway (workplace based assessment) – Assessment is by examination and workplace based assessment—the AMC CAT MCQ Examination and workplace based assessment of clinical skills and knowledge by an AMC-accredited authority. Currently assessment programs in four states have been accredited to pilot workplace based assessment. As a result, relatively few applicants are assessed through this pathway.

IMGs on the standard pathway must successfully complete a 12 month period of supervised practice (minimum of 47 weeks full time service) in an approved position. This is a Medical Board of Australia requirement, not an AMC requirement.

IMGs are required to submit medical qualifications directly to ECFMG’s Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC) for verification, but also complete an AMC online application to establish an AMC portfolio.

Primary source verification

Part of the Standard Pathway process, through the AMC, is the primary source verification of an IMG’s primary qualifications through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).

Before applying for the Standard Pathway, IMGs must apply for primary source verification of their qualifications.

Learn more about primary source verification.

Medical registration

The AMC has no role in processing applications for registration or in granting registration, which is a function of the Board, the registration authority of Australia.