The ACRRM Specialist Pathway

ACRRM Codified List

If your qualification is on the ACRRM Codified List, you may be eligible to apply through the ACRRM Specialist Pathway.

Eligible countries include: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the United States.
*This list is subject to change.

Minimum Clinical Care Requirement

Minimum of three years providing clinical care away from ready access to specialist medical, diagnostic and allied health services, since achieving your specialist qualification.

Criteria for inclusion on the Codified List

The qualification has the following features:

• Comparable definition to the Australian definition of a general practitioner
• Accredited as a General Practice/Family Physician training program/qualification by medical board, medical council or relevant authority
• Leads to specialist medical registration in own country
• Recognised by other GP Colleges in other countries as a GP specialist qualification

The training program has the following features:

• A published curriculum
• Two or more years of supervised placements
• Accredited training sites and supervisors
• Uses a range of teaching and learning approaches
• Uses a range of appropriate validated assessment methods and standard setting processes to set the pass mark.

MyIntealth validates your identity as well as medical credentials, ensuring their authenticity for physicians and organisations globally. Utilising ECFMG’s renowned primary-source verification process, MyIntealth confirms details such as medical education, training, and registration/licensure. Its web-based platform provides secure, convenient, and efficient services, reflecting the high standards set by ECFMG Certification.

Purpose: Verify your identity and Medical Credentials. You must nominate the Australian Medical Council (AMC) to receive an MyIntealth Report for each credential

Timeframe: 4 weeks

• Set up your MyIntealth Account
• Confirm your identity with MyIntealth
• Upload your required Credentials and nominate the AMC to receive an MyIntealth report for each credential.
• Record your MyIntealth ID

For more information on fees and charges

The AMC sets national standards for medical education and assessment to protect the health of the Australian community. It oversees medical education, training, and assessment, setting accreditation standards, evaluating programs and international medical graduates, and collaborates with government bodies to maintain high standards.

Purpose: The AMC will verify all qualifications for the Australian Specialist Colleges and the Medical Board of Australia

Timeframe: 2 weeks

Cost: AMC Account AUD $642.00 | Additional Qualifications AUD $107.00 each

Useful Links:

• Review the AMC Candidate Account Guide

• Set up your online AMC portfolio

• Fees and Charges

Purpose: To practice as a health practitioner in Australia, you need to prove your English proficiency to ensure safe practice.

To qualify for initial registration, you must demonstrate English proficiency through one of the following methods:

• English is your primary language, and you completed all your primary and secondary education, as well as tertiary qualifications in the relevant professional discipline in English in a recognised country, or

• You have a combination of secondary education and tertiary qualifications, including at least two years of secondary education and tertiary qualifications, all taught and assessed solely in English, in a recognised country, or

• You have completed at least six years of continuous education, including tertiary qualifications, taught, and assessed solely in English in any recognised country, to support your eligibility for registration under the National Law, or

• You meet the specific test score requirements in one of the following English language exams. The below English language tests are accepted by AHPRA. For more information about the tests, please refer to the providers website linked below Australia will accept two test sittings within a 6-month period, provided that they meet the minimum score requirement outlined in the Registration Standard.

  
  

   

For more information view:

Registration Standard: English Language Skills

The Medical Board of Australia will accept two test sittings within a 12-month period, provided that they meet the minimum score requirement outlined in the Registration Standard.

Useful Links:

• Registration Standard (Medical)

• Accepted English language tests

• Recognised Countries

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) can apply for assessment through the Specialist Pathway with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.

To apply, submit your application — including the Specialist Pathway Application Form — via the My Documents section in MyCollege on the ACRRM website. DXC Medical will email ACRRM to notify application has been submitted. 

Your application will be assessed based on how your skills and experience compare to the competencies outlined in the eight domains of rural and remote practice in the Rural Generalist Curriculum.

Competencies

SIMG's comparability is assessed against the competencies in the eight domains of rural and remote practice as described in the Rural Generalist Curriculum:

• Provide expert medical care in all rural contexts
• Provide primary care
• Provide secondary medical care
• Respond to medical emergencies
• Apply a population health approach
• Work with Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and other culturally diverse communities to improve health and wellbeing
• Practise medicine within an ethical, intellectual and professional framework
• Provide safe medical care while working in geographic and professional isolation

Requirements

SIMGs are deemed non-comparable to a FACRRM if they cannot demonstrate the following requirements:

• Minimum of three (3) years providing clinical care away from ready access to specialist medical, diagnostic and allied health services, since achieving their specialist qualification
• Achieving their qualification through completion of a supervised training program
• Partial or substantial comparability in each of the eight domains
• Extended practice relevant to community needs
• Ongoing professional development that is comparable to MBA requirements

Find out more about the ACRRM Specialist Pathway in the Specialist Pathway Guide.

Fees
All fees for the ACRRM Specialist Pathway for IMGs are GST-exempt and non-refundable
*All fees are subject to change 

Once submitted, ACRRM will review your application and supporting documentation to ensure all required information for assessment has been provided.

If your application is successful and you are deemed suitable, you will be invited to attend a structured interview via videoconference.

If you are assessed as partially or substantially comparable to an Australian-trained Fellow of ACRRM, you will be eligible to commence the Specialist Pathway. If you are deemed not comparable you will need to consult the Medical Board of Australia for other registration options.

Timeline: 6-8 weeks

Discuss with your consultant the requirements to be completed for your level of registration.

You are required to have all supporting documents translated in English by an AHPRA approved translator and certified in line with AHPRA's guidelines.

You will need to update your CV into an AHPRA approved format as part of your application. Our team can assist with this.

• Create an AHPRA account

• You are required to have supporting documents translated in English and certified:
• Certified copy of foreign passport
• Certified copies of 2 of the following: birth certificate, driver’s license, identity card and/or marriage certificate
• Certified copy of primary medical degree certificate
• Certified copy of specialist qualification
• Certified copy of English language test (if expired)

• Additional evidence will be required depending on your qualification. Our team can provide you with evidence required.
• You will need to complete an International Criminal History Check for every country you have lived in for 6 months or more since your 18^th birthday.
• Apply for your Certificate of Good Standing (CoGS) or Certificate of Registration Status (CoRS) as soon as your AHPRA application has been submitted as they expire after 3 months.

A visa is required to work in Australia primarily to regulate immigration and ensure that individuals entering the country for employment purposes meet certain criteria and adhere to relevant laws and regulations.

Purpose: Gain temporary working rights within Australia

Timeframe: 4 - 12 weeks depending on circumstances

Cost: To be discussed with your migration lawyer

• Speak to our consultants to determine which visa options would suit your needs with Department of Home Affairs

• The primary method for doctors to migrate to Australia is via the medium-term stream (2-4 years) Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482), which requires sponsorship from an Australian medical practice

• Visa nomination costs are covered by your sponsoring medical clinic

• Visa application costs are covered by the applicant. These costs vary depending on the family members travelling with you

• DXC Medical recommends engaging a trusted migration lawyer to support your visa application. We work in close partnership with Maria Rodriguez from Longton Migration to provide expert guidance and ensure a smooth, compliant process. For more information, visit: https://www.longtonlegal.com.au/

Once your Visa has been processed, you can apply for your Medicare Provider and Prescriber Numbers.

Medical Practitioners also require a Medicare Provider Number so that you can see, treat, bill, order diagnostic testing and refer your patients to allied health or specialist services. Your provider numbers are site specific and required for every individual location that you work.

Purpose: To obtain provider number, start working and receive payment for services.

Timeframe: During peak processing times (like the Christmas/New Year period) Services Australia recommend allowing up to 6 weeks for your provider / prescriber number to be issued.

Cost: There is no cost to apply for Medicare numbers

Useful links:

• Provider and prescriber numbers

• Medicare billing restrictions for international medical graduates

• 10-year moratorium