Who Can Do Medical PG in Australia?
Global medical graduates who have completed MBBS in their home country or any other country and are registered there can do medical PG in Australia. This includes Indian professionals who have completed their MBBS from a recognised university/institute.
However, there are eligibility criteria and some prerequisites for international medical graduates who want to pursue a PG in Australia, which are described below-
Primary Medical Qualification
Applicants must have a primary medical qualification recognised by the Australian Medical Council (AMC). This qualification should be equivalent to an Australian or New Zealand medical degree.
English Language Proficiency
MBBS graduates need to demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving satisfactory scores on either the Occupational English Test (OET) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
AMC MCQ Exam
Indian doctors are required to pass the AMC MCQ Exam, a computer-based multiple-choice examination that assesses medical knowledge in various disciplines. This exam is a prerequisite for eligibility to take the AMC Clinical Exam.
AMC Clinical Exam
After passing the AMC MCQ Exam, IMGs must successfully complete the AMC Clinical Exam. This practical examination evaluates clinical and communication skills.
Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA)
IMGs may need to undergo a supervised workplace-based assessment to demonstrate their competence in a clinical setting in Australia. This can be an alternative for those who don't want to take AMC Clinical Exam.
Professional Development Program (PDP)
Completion of the AMC Professional Development Program (PDP) is mandatory for Indian MBBS graduates seeking registration in Australia. The PDP focuses on continuous professional development and ensuring that candidates are familiar with the Australian healthcare system.
Visa Requirements
Candidates must also meet visa requirements to study and work in Australia. The appropriate visa subclass for medical practitioners is often the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, Skilled Subclass 491 Visa or the Subclass 482 visa.
Therefore, to be able to do medical PG in Australia, global medicos must ensure that they fulfil all these requirements. We will talk about the step-by-step procedure to fulfill these requirements in the next sections.
Top Universities for Medical PG in Australia
Doctor of Medicine (MD) is the medical PG course in Australia, which is generally a 4-year long course. Here are some of the top universities for doing medical PG in Australia.
College | Specialisation |
| Anesthesia and Pain Management | |
| Dental Surgery | |
| Dermatology | |
| Emergency Medicine | |
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) | General Practice |
College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (CICM) | Intensive Care Medicine |
The Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA) | Medical Administration |
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) | Obstetrics and Gynaecology |
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) | Ophthalmology |
| Pathology | |
| Internal Medicine | |
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) | Psychiatry |
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) | Radiology |
| Rural and Remote Medicine | |
Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP) | Sports and Exercise Medicine |
| Surgery |
Procedure to Do Medical PG
As mentioned above, you need to clear the AMC exam to get admission to a medical PG program in Australia. Let us now discuss in detail the step-by-step procedure to pursue PG admission.
Skills Assessment
The first step is to let the Australian authorities know that you are eligible to practice PG there. The Australian Medical Council (AMC) is responsible for the skills assessment process. The process involves submitting documents such as academic transcripts, proof of medical degree, and other relevant qualifications. The outcome of the skills assessment will determine the eligibility of the IMG to proceed with the AMC exams.
AMC MCQ Exam
After a successful skills assessment, you need to take the AMC MCQ Exam (Multiple Choice Question Exam). The MCQ Exam is a computer-based test that assesses medical knowledge across various domains, including clinical medicine, anatomy, physiology, and pathology. A passing score in the MCQ Exam is a prerequisite for proceeding to the next stage.
English Proficiency Test
Proving English proficiency is mandatory for getting a study/work visa in any English-speaking country, just like it is in Australia. IMGs may showcase their English language proficiency by taking the Occupational English Test (OET), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE).
AMC Clinical Exam
After successfully completing the MCQ Exam and meeting English language proficiency requirements, IMGs can register for the AMC Clinical Exam. The Clinical Exam is a practical assessment of clinical and communication skills. It is conducted in a clinical setting with standardised patients, where candidates are evaluated on their ability to take a patient's history, perform a physical examination, and communicate effectively.
Visa and Registration
Once Indian doctors have successfully completed the required exams, they need to apply for the appropriate visa to study and work in Australia. The visa options for medical practitioners often include the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa or the Subclass 482 visa.
In parallel, IMGs should apply for registration with the Medical Board of Australia. The registration process may involve submitting evidence of qualifications, passing the AMC exams, and fulfilling other specific requirements.
By meeting all the prerequisites and submitting all the documents, including the AMC and English test scores, Indian doctors can take admission in their preferred medical specialisation course and start with their post-graduation.
As you can see, the process is quite straightforward, with the AMC exam being the highlight of the process. We will talk in detail about the AMC exam in the next section.
About the AMC Exam
The AMC (Australian Medical Council) examination is a series of exams that international medical graduates (IMGs) must pass to demonstrate their eligibility and skills to practice medicine in Australia. The exams assess the medical knowledge and clinical skills of individuals trained overseas.
The first exam is the AMC MCQ examination, which consists of a computer-based multiple-choice exam. It assesses the candidate's medical knowledge in various fields, including clinical medicine, anatomy, physiology, and pathology. You can take the AMC exam in your home country at your nearest testing centre, after you successfully complete skills assessment.
After clearing the AMC MCQ exam, you must pass the AMC clinical exam for full registration. It is a practical examination that evaluates the clinical and communication skills of the candidate. The exam is conducted in a clinical setting, and candidates interact with standardised patients to demonstrate their clinical competence. It assesses skills such as history-taking, physical examination, communication, and clinical reasoning.
However, if you want to skip the clinical examination, you can take the WBA and the PDP instead. Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA) is a component of Australian registration, which involves supervised clinical practice in an approved medical workplace in Australia.
It is designed to ensure that IMGs are competent in a real-world clinical environment. Finally, the PDP is a mandatory program for all IMGs seeking registration in Australia. It focuses on continuous professional development and helps candidates stay updated with the Australian healthcare system.
Read more about the AMC exam in this blog.
Why Choose Australia to Pursue Medical PG?
Global students dream of pursuing studies in an established and outstanding country like Australia. There are several reasons for the same, including the following-
- World-Class Medical Education- Australian universities offer high-quality medical education with modern facilities and innovative teaching methods. Many of them rank highly in global university rankings.
- Internationally Recognized Qualifications- Medical degrees obtained from Australian institutions are widely recognised and respected worldwide. This facilitates career opportunities not only in Australia but also in other countries.
- Advanced Healthcare System- Australia boasts a robust healthcare system with state-of-the-art medical facilities and technologies. Students can gain hands-on experience with advanced medical equipment and procedures, enhancing their clinical skills.
- Research Opportunities- Australian universities are at the forefront of medical research, offering students numerous opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research projects and clinical trials.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency- Australia offers various visa options for international students, including pathways to permanent residency for those who wish to pursue a long-term career in the country.
- High Quality of Life- Australia consistently ranks high in quality of life indices, offering a safe, stable, and welcoming environment for international students. Additionally, its beautiful landscapes and vibrant cities make it an attractive destination for living and studying.
Parting Thoughts
Given the correct guidance and knowledge, any Indian MBBS graduate can complete the path of pursuing a medical PG in australia. Australia is homogenous society and the skilled migration scheme of the government encourage medical graduates from India an other countries to contribute to their research and healthcare system. So whether you have recently completed your MBBS or are a seasoned professional, there is no time to waste in order to upskill yourself and upscale your career.
To get comprehensive help and guidance, you can get in touch with the experts at Academically. Our AMC preparation course can help you clear the AMC examination and complete all steps of Australia migration with significant ease.
Fill up this form for a free one on one counselling session.
