Getting registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) doesn’t have to be complicated. Apart from the 3 Main International Medical Graduates Pathways That we described in this Article, There are also some alternative pathways that you can Use to gain registration in Australia.
Who Is this Alternate pathway for?
If you have passed the USMLE exams or PLAB but haven’t matched yet (since part of the Competent Authority Pathway requires you to undergo 1 year FY1 experience in the UK or 2 years of residency in the United States to be eligible for CAP), but due to job saturation in the UK or limited/ Competitive residency opportunities in the US, you are unable to complete the required clinical experience, this alternate pathway offers a viable option for gaining medical registration in Australia. You can apply for limited registration in Australia and gain supervised clinical experience, which can later be used to qualify for general registration through the Competent Authority Pathway.
Let’s Break It Down:
What Is the Competent Authority Pathway?
This pathway is for doctors trained in certain countries like the UK, Ireland, or the USA. Normally, it requires:
- Passing an exam like PLAB, USMLE.
- 1 Year of Clinical experience in UK or 2 Years in case of US
What is Provisional Registration?
All IMGs moving to Australia will begin with Provisional Registration,
This allows these Doctors to undergo a year of supervised practice in Australia which is a limited practice following Guidelines set by Ahpra. This registration level is equivalent to GMC Registration During FY1 year.
What is General Registration?
This type of registration unlike provisional registration allows you to practice independently Fully registered. You can say this level of registration is equivalent to successfully completing your FY1 year in UK, however note that only after 1 year supervised practice under provisional registration makes you eligible to apply for General Registration
I Have Passed My PLAB 1/2 or USMLE Step 1/2ck/3 But haven’t Got a Job or Matched in the respective Countries, Do these Exams Help me in anyway?
Simple answer: Yes, Read Below to get an insight!
What Does the Rule Say?
AHPRA allows this:
“Australian clinical experience can be substituted for the post-examination or post-training experience for the purposes of meeting the criteria for eligibility for the Competent Authority pathway.
This period of practice in Australia may also be accepted as meeting the requirements for the 12-month period of supervised practice which is required to gain general registration via the Competent Authority pathway.”
In simple terms, your supervised work in Australia counts towards your registration.
How Do You Go About it?
Since You have Done These Exams it means you have already met one of the criteria required for the competent pathway But You are unable to secure a job in these countries To fully qualify for the competent pathway, You can take the AMC MCQ which makes you eligible for Job in australia. You can use this 1 year for supervised practice to qualify for the Competent pathway.
STEPS:
- Pass AMC Part1 Exam: Take the AMC Part 1 which makes you eligible for 1 year supervised practice under limited registration.
- Find a Job: Get a supervised position in Australia under limited registration.
- Do the Work: Complete at least 12 months of supervised practice.
- Apply for General Registration: Use your Australian experience to meet AHPRA’s requirements.
Example: Sarah’s Journey
Sarah was a doctor from the UK. She passed PLAB but couldn’t secure a job due So she didn’t meet the 12-month requirement for the Competent Authority Pathway. Instead of going back to the UK, Sarah attempted AMC Part1 exam under Standard pathway, found a job in Australia under limited registration. She worked for 12 months under supervision, completing her required clinical experience.
Afterward, Sarah applied for general registration through the Competent Authority Pathway, using her Australian experience to fulfill the requirements. She didn’t need to take AMC Clinical Exam.
Final Thoughts
If you’re an international doctor, passing PLAB or USMLE can be a significant step to aquiring AHPRA registration. Combine it with Australian clinical experience, and you’ll meet the requirements for general registration.
