GP Journeys: From Dubai to Cairns
- July 26, 2024
GP couple Dr Roshan Oommen and Dr Roshna Abrham have started an exciting new chapter for their family, relocating from the bustling city of Dubai to the scenic coastal town of Cairns i...
Read ArticleWith more than 10 years international GP recruitment experience, our dedicated team of consultants will guide you through the process of relocating to Australia, from selecting the perfect location, negotiating a competitive package, selecting the correct medical registration pathway, visa nomination and assisting with the relocation itself.
From our offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Wollongong we have successfully relocated more than 50 international medical graduates (IMGs) from the UK, Ireland, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Germany and the Netherlands, via the Specialist, Competent Authority and Standard Pathways. You can read their stories in our GP Journeys blog series below.
International medical graduates whose medical qualifications are from a medical institution outside of Australia or New Zealand, and who are seeking registration to practice medicine in Australia, must provide evidence of eligibility to undertake one of the following assessment pathways:
The Specialist pathwayis for overseas-trained specialist GPs who wish to be assessed for comparability to the standard of an Australian-trained specialist GP.
Australia is the only country in the world with two GP colleges. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural & Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
Both colleges have a Specialist Pathway that recognises different international qualifications, so it is important to check the codified lists of both colleges to see if either or both recognise your qualification.
RACGP codified list ACRRM codified list
ACRRM require international GPs on their Specialist Pathway to work in a DPA / MMM4-7 location.
The RACGP require international GPs on their Specialist Pathway to work in a DPA / 1-7 location for substantially comparable GPs and a DPA / MMM2-7 location for partially comparable GPs.
Substantially Comparability = 12 month duration and no exams
IMGs who are recognised as being substantially comparable on either of the two specialist pathways are eligible to apply for fellowship (FACRRM or FRACGP) after 12 months of full-time work. Once achieved, doctors can then apply for vocational registration.
Partial Comparability = 24 month duration plus college exams
IMGs who are recognised as being partially comparable on either of the two specialist pathways are eligible to apply for fellowship (FACRRM or FRACGP) after they have completed 24 months of full-time work and passed the respective college exams. Once achieved, doctors can then apply for vocational registration.
Distribution Priority Area (DPA)
The Distribution Priority Area (DPA) classification identifies locations in Australia with a shortage of medical practitioners.
International medical graduates are required to work in a DPA location for up to 10 years as part of the 10-year moratorium.
Modified Monash Model (MMM)
The Modified Monash Model (MMM) is how the Department of Health define whether a location is a city, rural, remote or very remote. The model measures remoteness and population size on a scale of Modified Monash (MM) category MM1 (major city) to MM7 (very remote).
Government accredited GP training programs use the model to define where a GP in training must work.
Job Search
To view the latest jobs eligible for the Specialist Pathway, click HERE and select ‘RACGP PEP Specialist Stream and/or ACRRM Specialist Pathway
The Competent Authority Pathway (CAP)is intended for overseas-trained non-specialists, but it is also available to specialists, including general practitioners. It is a pathway to general registration and does not result directly in recognition or registration as a specialist in Australia.
The CAP recognises 5 ‘competent authorities.
Category A & B United Kingdom: General Medical Council (GMC)
Category C Canada: Medical Council of Canada (LMCC)
Category D United States: Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
Category E New Zealand: Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ)
General Practitioners on the Competent Authority Pathway are required to sit and pass a Pre-Employment Screening Clinical Interview (PESCI) prior to applying for provisional medical registration with AHPRA. This pathway allows a GP to apply for general registration after a period of 12 months full-time work in Australia.
The pre-employment structured clinical interview (PESCI) is a fitness-for-task assessment and interview conducted by a panel of assessors, intended specifically for non-specialist International Medical Graduates (IMGs) applying for registration in Australia via the Standard or Competent Authority pathways.
You will require a job offer before being able to apply for a PESCI from any of the three accredited PESCI providers (RACGP, ACRRM or the Institute of Medical Education)
The Standard pathway is for IMGs who are not eligible for the Competent Authority pathway or the Specialist pathway.
IMGs who have a primary qualification in medicine and surgery awarded by a training institution recognised by both the Australian Medical Council and the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) can apply for assessment under this pathway.
As with the Competent Authority Pathway, IMGs are required to sit and pass a Pre-Employment Screening Clinical Interview (PESCI) prior to apply for medical registration with AHPRA. Unlike the CAP, IMGs apply for Limited Registration with AHPRA.
The pre-employment structured clinical interview (PESCI) is a fitness-for-task assessment and interview conducted by a panel of assessors, intended specifically for non-specialist International Medical Graduates (IMGs) applying for registration in Australia via the Standard or Competent Authority pathways.
IMGs eligible for the Standard Pathway are required to pass the Australian Medical Council (AMC) Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) exam, also known as the AMC Part 1, and an approved English Test (OET, IELTS or PTE), prior to applying for a job in Australia.
International Medical Graduates have several visa options available to them, including arriving as a temporary or permanent resident. It is most common for doctors to arrive as temporary residents, as this is significantly quicker and cheaper than applying for permanent residency from outside of Australia.
We provide you with approved migration agents that specialise working with medical practitioners and their families. These agents provide a free consultation and offer a subsidised rate for applicants referred by DXC Medical.
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GP couple Dr Roshan Oommen and Dr Roshna Abrham have started an exciting new chapter for their family, relocating from the bustling city of Dubai to the scenic coastal town of Cairns i...
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