Why is Australia a Top Choice for Doctors from Sri Lanka?
Australia attracts thousands of international medical graduates, or IMGs every year. The significantly better pay, improved work-life balance, opportunities for career growth, and an inclusive and warm culture adds to its appeal.
- Average pay of a freshly minted doctor in Australia is around 80,000 AUD or nearly 1.5 crores LKR.
- One of the highest life expectancy in the world.
- World class infrastructure, quality education, and a strong economy.
- Work-life balance, and a healthy lifestyle are valued.
- Skilled workers are in demand.
- Exceptional packages, bonuses, paid leaves, and various other entitlements.
- Incredible landscapes and pristine beaches; ideal for setting up a base.
- Immigration of skilled workers is supported by the government.
- Provision of various incentives for skilled workers by the government.
Sri Lankans in Australia make up to 2% of the total population. All festivals are celebrated with equal gusto and pleasure.
From Sri Lanka to Australia: A Doctor’s Guide
Let’s take a look at what all you’d need in your journey from Sri Lanka to a practicing physician in Australia.
- Valid Passport: Your passport should be a current one, with a clean, and legible personal information page.
- Valid medical degree from an institute recognised by the AMC: You can check the eligibility of your institute on the WDoMS site. Your degree should be comparable to an Australian medical degree as recognised by AMC.
- Proof of work experience (if applicable): Additional training, internship, specialization and work experience can be added as qualification in your AMC portfolio.
- Proof of English language proficiency: In order to practice in Australia, you need to be well versed in English. IELTS and OET scores are accepted.
- Offer for a job: You need to secure a job offer and complete the mandatory internship to get general registration with the Medical Board of Australia.
- Work Visa: You would need to apply for a work visa in order to work in Australia.
Note: Once your documents are in order, you need to clear the Australian Medical Council Exam (AMC CAT MCQ), and the AMC Clinical Exam or AMC WBA Assessment.
The Australian Medical Council (or AMC) regulates the registration of international medical graduates and doctors to practice medicine in Australia.
To get your license to practice, you need to qualify your Australian Medical Council exams. As a proof of your command over English, you can take either one of the tests:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Min Score 7 bands
- Occupational English Test (OET)- Min Score B
What’s the AMC Exam?
Australian Medical Council Exam, or the AMC Exam, is a comprehensive examination of the eligibility of the IMGs, which covers all the important topics from diagnosis and treatment, patient examination and counselling, management strategies, and legal and ethical issues.
The AMC Exam consists of 2 distinct tests:
1. AMC Computer Adaptive Test (Multiple Choice Questions) or AMC CAT MCQ
2. AMC Clinical Examination
There is an alternative to the AMC Clinical Exam, which can be taken instead if you have work experience in Sri Lanka. It is the Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) programme.
How to Apply for the AMC Exam
1. Selection of the correct registration pathway.
2. Checking the eligibility of your graduate schools, degree title, and year of graduation.
3. Creation of Mylntealth account, followed by an AMC account and making a portfolio with the required documents.
4. Verification of the uploaded documents through the EPIC services.
5. Completion of the portfolio and payment.
Make sure that you regularly check the status of the verification process. This can take anywhere between 6-8 weeks.
You can find more details about the registration process on our AMC registration blog .
AMC Exam Test Centre in Sri Lanka and Fees
The AMC CAT MCQ exam can be taken online. The test centre in Sri Lanka is in Colombo:
ICBT Campus, No. 36, DE KRESTER PLACE, Colombo-00400, Sri Lanka.
The fees for the application, AMC tests, and additional qualifications are tabulated below, in both AUD and LKR
| Operation | Fees (AUD) | Fees (LKR)* |
| Portfolio Application Fees (Inclusive of 1 qualification) | 642 | 1,24,034 |
| Addition qualification (per qualification) | 107 | 20,672 |
| AMC CAT | 2920 | 5,64,144 |
| Verification of CAT MCQ exam result | 107 | 20,672 |
| Online Clinical Exam | 4391 | 8,43,341 |
| In-person Clinical Exam | 3991 | 7,71.061 |
| Workplace Based Assessment | 1070 | 2,06,724 |
*As per the currency exchange rate on 8th May, 2025. Subject to change, please check before payment.
You can also get refunds in case you decide to cancel your registration, or in case your verification is not done adequately.
What’s after the AMC Assessment?
If you’re a fresh medical graduate, once you’ve cleared your AMC Exam 1 (MCQ), you will be eligible for the AMC Clinical exam. Before this, you should take your English language proficiency test.
In case you have work experience, you can opt for the WBA programme. It will take you up to 12 months of supervised work to complete this assessment.
For Sri Lankan doctors who specialise in any field, the specialised pathway will be most suitable for your experience.
Clearing the complete AMC assessment will get you registered with the Medical Board of Australia, and you will get your license to practice!
As a fresh graduate, this will also open opportunities for you to pursue your post graduation from Australia.
Now that you’re equipped with all the necessary information required for starting your journey to become a registered doctor in Australia, it’s time to start the prep work!
We, at Academically, have been at the forefront in preparing doctors and IMGs for this big move to practice in Australia. You can go through our AMC exam preparation course which will help polish your skills to ace this exam, or connect with us for any queries, we’ll be happy to help.
