Specialist Pathway

Specialist Pathway

Education > IMGs > Live and practice medicine in Australia > Specialist Pathway
Last updated 4 August 2023

Disclaimer
Before you start reading the information on this webpage, please be aware that this information is a guide only and is subject to change based on updated regulation and policy. Each individual’s experience may vary slightly.

Overview

The Specialist pathway is for overseas-trained specialist GPs who wish to be assessed for comparability to the standard of an Australian-trained specialist GP.

The RACGP is the specialist medical college for general practice, and you will need to meet all eligibility criteria to apply to the RACGP for a comparability assessment to determine if you are eligible for this pathway. This assessment will consider your specialist general practice qualification, the nature of the training, methods of previous assessment, general practice experience, continuing professional development (CPD) and continuity of practice.

If our assessment shows that you are substantially or partially comparable, then you are eligible to apply for the RACGP’s Practice Experience Program Specialist (PEP SP).

To begin the PEP SP you will need to have an approved job offer so that you can complete six months of supervised general practice. You’ll also need to meet some education requirements and undertake workplace-based assessments.

Steps to Fellowship

  • Secure an offer for a position in comprehensive general practice. Find a position, contact a Rural Health Workforce Agency, or reach out to a medical recruitment agency for assistance.
  • Obtain letter of offer from your intended practice. This should include the intended hours, duties and date of commencement.
  • Ensure your offer of employment meets the conditions for a 3GA program provider number.
  • Upload information about your job offer including supervisor details, the scope of practice and location to the PEP SP application platform.
  • RACGP assessors will review the information.
  • Once your job offer is approved, you can apply for AHPRA medical registration.
  • The RACGP uploads Report 1, which is an interim outcome assessment, to the AMC portal:
    • Substantially comparable: Apply to AHPRA for provisional registration or limited registration.
    • Partially comparable: Apply to AHPRA for  provisional registration or limited registration.
    • Non-comparable: Apply to AHPRA for the competent authority or standard pathways to medical registration.
    • Practitioners who complete their primary medical degree and their internship in a competent authority country (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or the United States) are eligible for provisional registration. Once an IMG qualifies for provisional registration they cannot apply for limited registration. Applicants who have not completed their primary medical degree and internship period in one of the countries listed above need to apply for limited registration on the specialist recognition pathway.
  • Translate all documents into English and certify.
  • Complete English language test (if needed).
  • Complete criminal history check.
  • Ensure you meet the registration standards.
  • Complete AHPRA registration application.
  • AHPRA will assess your application against the registration standards and decide if you are eligible for registration. This usually takes six to eight weeks.
  • If you are eligible, you will receive a notice of in-principle approval from AHPRA.
  • Present in person at an AHPRA office or your practice office for an identification check.
  • If you are granted registration, your name will be published on the National Register of Health Practitioners within two weeks.
  • Check which visa options would suit your need with Department of Home Affairs Visa Finder (for example, with pathways to permanent residency for temporary residents, direct pathways to permanent residency, temporary business sponsored visas)
  • For enquiries about 3GA programs and visa status, please contact your local Rural Workforce Agency for assistance
  • The Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482) medium-term stream is the most common pathway for migrating to Australia as a doctor and requires that you be sponsored by an Australian medical practice or hospital. For this visa, follow the step-by-step guide here.
  • Apply to enter the PEP Specialist within 12 months of receiving your comparability assessment outcome
  • Provide evidence of the following:
    • That you have appropriate AHPRA medical registration and your name appears on the National Register of Health Practitioners.
    • An approved job offer.
    • Completion of an advanced life support course.
    • An agreement with a suitable supervisor and two supervisor training plans completed by your practice.
  • If all requirements are met, you will be provided with the program agreement.
  • Pay the invoice and return a signed program agreement to the RACGP.
  • Complete the Medicare provider number application form and submit it to the RACGP.
  • The RACGP will help you to apply for an approved placement, a Medicare provider number and to have your approved placement entered into the Register of Approved Placements.
  • The Medicare provider number application form will be processed by the RACGP and the Department of Health and Aged Care and Medicare. Contact approvedplacement@racgp.org.au if you have any questions.
  • You will receive an approved placement outcome letter issued directly from Services Australia or Medicare that outlines your specific provider number, placement address, exemption/s, and placement start and end dates.
  • Commence work in the RACGP-approved practice within six calendar months from signing the program agreement. The PEP SP six-month term commences from the first day of work.
  • Submit your AHPRA orientation report (ORIG-30 form) and AHPRA work performance report (WRIG-30 form) to the RACGP and the Medical Board of Australia.
  • Complete all the workplace-based assessment components within three to six months of commencing work. These include:
    • online core learning units
    • Complete the MultiSource Feedback (MSF) activity comprising the Doctor’s Interpersonal Skills Questionnaire (DISQ), Colleague Feedback and Evaluation Tool (CFET) and self-appraisal.
    • Complete work-based activities outlined in the participant handbooks below.
  • For more information about the PEP SP education program for each stream (Partially and Substantially Comparable) please refer to the specific guides provided below:
  • 1) PEP SP Participant Handbook - Partially Comparable Stream
  • 2) PEP SP Participant Handbook - Substantially Comparable Stream
  • Check the PEP SP Fellowship Exams Policy to see if you have satisfied the educational, training, experience and administrative requirements prior to enrolling in the Fellowship exams, to better ensure exam readiness and success. to better ensure exam readiness and success.
  • Enrol in the RACGP Fellowship exams via the RACGP website.
  • Complete and pass the:
    • Applied Knowledge Test (AKT)
    • Key Feature Problem (KFP) exam
    • Clinical Competency Exam (CCE)
  • Check and ensure you have met the PEP SP Requirements for Fellowship Policy
  • Apply to the RACGP for Fellowship as soon as you’ve met the Fellowship requirements.
  • Once you have received confirmation of Fellowship, apply for specialist registration with AHPRA.

Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter with updates, exclusive resources, webinars, events and news

 
 

Sign up for RACGP International Membership

Join the RACGP to be a part of a like-minded community of GPs and access a range of exclusive benefits:

  • Simple and relevant information
  • Answers to your specific questions
  • Top tips and helpful advice
  • Networking opportunities
  • Learning modules and CPD

JOIN RACGP NOW