For many international medical graduates (IMGs) the pathway to being registered as a doctor involves the Australian Medical Council exams. But for doctors who have worked in more than one country already there are sometimes other options, the PLAB. But you need to be careful that you meet all the required criteria for your PLAB to be recognised.
Doctors sometimes ask whether the Professional Linguistics Assessment Board (PLAB) is accepted or recognized in Australia. The simple answer to this question is yes. The PLAB will be recognized by the Medical Board of Australia and this will mean that you are not required to sit the AMC exams. You will be able to apply for registration via the competent authority pathway. As a bonus, you will also be exempt having to prove your English language proficiency. However, it is important to check the full requirements. In particular, doctors who complete the PLAB must also complete 12 months of supervised training in the United Kingdom. If you have not completed this training your PLAB will not be accepted.
Lets dive a little deeper into the requirements of the PLAB. Why it is that the PLAB is accepted in Australia. As well as the other options for not having to undertake the AMC examinations.
What is the Purpose of the AMC Examination?
The AMC Examinations are the main route by which doctors from most other countries can apply to become registered as a doctor in Australia. Without medical registration in Australia it is illegal to work as a doctor.
The AMC exams consist of a written (multiple choice) examination and clinical examination and are set at the equivalent standard as what would be expected of an Australian medical school graduate commencing their first working year in Australia, which is called an internship.
Australia sets high standards for medical practice and therefore, with a few exceptions, we do not directly recognize the output of medical schools from many countries. So the AMC Examinations have been established as a process for testing the capability of IMGs.
So Who Needs to Sit AMC Examinations?
If you have graduated from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Canada or the United States you are not able to sit the AMC exams. Because you are not required to do so.
If you are from any other country you are able to sit the AMC examinations. However, if you have specialist qualifications you probably want to try the specialist pathway instead.
Also, if you are not from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Canada or the United States. But have worked in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada or the United States. You may also be able to avoid the AMC Exam process and can apply via Competent Authority.
Notice though we did not say “Republic of Ireland”. If you are an IMG who has worked in the Republic of Ireland before this does not help you avoid the AMC exams.
Read on.
The Competent Authority Pathway.
The Medical Board of Australia recognizes the medical school training systems of the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United States of America and Canada as equivalent to the Australian medical system and therefore does not require medical graduates from these countries to sit additional examinations to prove that they are capable of working as a doctor in Australia.
New Zealand medical school graduates are treated as identical to Australian graduates. In fact New Zealand Medical Schools are accredited by the Australian Medical Council as well. New Zealand doctors can apply directly for general registration, so long as they have completed an intern year in either Australia or New Zealand.
Graduates of the UK, Rep Ireland, US and Canada can apply for registration in Australia so long as they have also completed the basic requirements for being registered as a doctor in their country. You will also need a job offer prior to applying for registration. So long as the Medical Board is satisfied that you will be provided with sufficient level of supervision for 12 months you can work under “provisional registration”. Once this period is complete and you have returned satisfactory supervisor reports you will be able to apply for general registration.
If You Are Not From the UK, US, Ireland, New Zelaand or Canada You Can Still Come Under the Competent Authority Pathway.
Some doctors work in a range of countries. Countries like the UK and Canada have similar systems to Australia for allowing IMGs to work in Australia.
So if you have completed any of the following:
- PLAB in the UK;
- NZREX in New Zealand;
- USMLE in US; or
- LMCC in Canada
You are also able to apply for registration via the competent authority pathway and can skip the AMC exams.
However, as mentioned earlier. You do need to do all the steps. One thing that can sometimes catch IMG doctors out is that they have completed all the examination steps of one of these processes BUT NOT completed the supervision steps. So, for example, have not completed a Foundation Year in the UK. Or have not completed 2 years of ACGME accredited training in the United States.
The Specialist Pathway.
The Specialist Pathway is for doctors from any country. Competent Authority or Standard Pathway. It enables a doctor to apply to be recognised as a specialist in Australia.
So its another pathway which avoids the AMC exams. Which in the case of many specialists may be quite daunting as it will have been some time since you have studied such a broad range of medicine.
Rather than going through the AMC examination process. The specialist pathway places you directly in contact with the specialist colleges. Who do a review of your training, qualifications, and experience to determine whether you are comparable or If you are found to be comparable. You will be offered a period of registration to demonstrate your performance and you may also have to sit further specialty examinations.
Once again, you need a job offer to complete this process.
If you are not found to be comparable you will have to either sit the AMC examinations or apply for competent authority if that option is available to you.
I Really Don’t Want To Do The AMC Exams. Are There Any Other Options?
There is one final option but its not particularly popular as it is time limited, has certain restrictions and is not meant as a mechanism for making a permanent move to Australia.
This option is called the Short Term Training in a Medical Specialty Pathway. It is an option for gaining either provisional or limited registration for a period of up to 24-months to undertake additional specialty training in Australia. This registration category is generally made available to Advanced Trainees or Junior Consultants from other countries who are looking to augment their training experience.
And. Once again. You do need a job offer to apply for the registration.
Barring enrolling in medical school in Australia. There are no other options for not doing the AMC exams.
Related Questions.
Question: Do I Need to Do The Foundation Program to Complete the PLAB Requirements for Australia?
Answer.
It is generally a good idea if you can successfully complete the 1st Year of the Foundation Program in the UK. Note you only need to complete one year.
However, if you are unable to do this the Medical Board of Australia will accept alternative evidence that you have worked successfully in similar posts:
This is the direct quote from the Medical Board documents:
There are two ways in which you can demonstrate that you meet the ‘12 months supervised training (internship equivalent) in the UK’ component of the eligibility criteria for category A (as per guidance initially provided in August 2015):
1. Provide evidence of ‘12 months supervised practice/training in an Approved Practice Setting in the UK’. Acceptable evidence would include:
a. confirmation in writing from the hospital(s) and/or employer(s) that you have satisfactorily completed 12 months supervised practice/training in the UK, and
b. confirmation in writing from the hospital(s) and/or employer(s) that the practice setting is an ‘Approved Practice Setting’.OR
2. Provide evidence of ‘a minimum of 12 months practice in the UK’2
. Acceptable evidence would include:
a. confirmation in writing and/or certificate of service from the hospital(s) and/or employer(s)that you have had a minimum of 12 months practice in the UK.You will also need to provide evidence that you have ‘successfully completed the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test since 1975’.
Medical Board of Australia
Question: Will I Need to do an English Test?
Answer. This is a complex question. Its probably best to assume that you do. Even if you are coming from an English speaking country. Until you have established that you do not.
Generally speaking if you can prove that you have been high-schooled in English and studied Medicine in English you will be fine.
However, there are many circumstances where this has proven to not be the case. Even choosing to work for a small period in another country where English is not the first language can result in you having to sit an English test.
For doctors who have completed the PLAB and NZREX. The Medical Board will generally exempt you from the need for an English Test. This is because the PLAB and NZREX include an examination of English.
Question: Can I Count Part of My PLAB or USMLEs Towards the AMC Multiple Choice Examination?
Answer. No. The AMC will not recognize partial completion of any of these examinations as a proxy for the exam here.
Hi Anthony, I just came across your post. really helpful and thank you. my question is are you able to help one get a job over there in Australia since most of the registration process getting through involves having a job first?
Hi Bless thanks for your kind words. I do work directly with doctors to maximise their chances of getting a job in Australia. As you say it really does come down to whether you have a job offer or not.
Hi Tony, I have 4 years experience in Australia and I can’t seem to het over the AMC clinical. Will the australian experience count towards the PLAB if I start the PLAB exams now in order to apply for the competent authority pathway?
Hi Daniela, it is possible that your supervised practice in Australia could be counted as part of the PLAB -> competent authority process.
What’s the job situation like now and probably 12 months from now?
Australia has been slowly expanding its medical graduate output. This has probably made it tighter for certain categories of IMGs. It’s hard to get a good idea of the prospects. I would say that the number of positions being advertised that will take IMGs is probably a little bit less than it was 5 or 10 years ago.
Hi
I am emergency trainee in UK currently. I graduated in Slovenia(EU), so do not have PLAB.
I will not finish specialty training in UK as moving to Australia.
Do I need AMC exams or would I be eligible for competent pathway as have been working in UK for the past 3 years?
Thank you
Lana
Hi Lana, yes you will need to do the AMC exams. You required the full PLAB for an exemption from this.
Hi
I am Joyonta paul, i have done my MBBS in Bangladesh. My question is if I complete PLAB and do Fy2 in Uk as i have already completed my internships in Bangladesh which is equivalent to Fy1.
So should i need to sit for AMC exam..???
Or i can directly apply for Australia to get a job and get registration
You will need to complete supervised training in the UK and then you can apply for the competent authority pathway.
Hi
I am Joyonta paul, i have done my MBBS in Bangladesh. My question is if I complete PLAB and do Fy2 in Uk as i have already completed my internships in Bangladesh which is equivalent to Fy1.
So should i need to sit for AMC exam..???
Or i can directly apply for Australia to get a job and get registration
And what is the percentage of getting resistration in competent pathway..?
Thank you in advance
Most doctors who apply for competent authority are approved.
Hi,
I’m currently in the 6th month of my FY2 placement in the UK. Can I still apply for jobs and get a registration in Australia towards the completion of my 12 months of supervised training. Also, are there any benefits of starting placement in Australia in jan/feb as the academic sessions rolls from Jan to Jan?
Thanks in anticipation.
Hi Deepsha, you only need to have successfully completed FY1 to apply for competent authority. I’d recommend aiming for jobs out of sync with the academic calendar here as you will find it easier to interest employers. Most of the Jan to Jan jobs go to local doctors.
Hi there!
Would passing all parts of MRCP help in any way to get licensed in Australia?
Thanks in advance!
Not unless it is accompanied by a CCT.
Dear Anthony
I have graduated from Sudan
And currently working as a GP in the UAE.
I have passed all my MRCPCH exams and OET so I am qualified for full GMC Registration.
Is there any pathway to practice and start training in Australia just with this?
From previous answers, I understood I may need CCT.
What is that and where will I obtain it from and how many years worth of traning and where will a case like mine need in order to obtain a CCT.
A CCT is a Certificate of Completion Training which is issued by the GMC in the UK when you complete specialist training. I would definitely advise you to get this if you can.
Hello Anthony,
I’m a medical graduate from Nepal. I’ve completed my MBBS and i’ve done 1 year of internship exams. I’ve also sat for the sri lankan exams after i came back to my home country. I am a bit confused with which pathway i should follow. Standard pathway after AMC exams or if i do PLAB and then FY2 and then go to Australia. ( as my internship is recognised for FY1). Does it give me a better chance to find a job if I have gmc registration?
Thank you for this really helpful article.
Hi if you have a quick route to GMC registration I would do this. But it sounds like you need to sit either exams. If you want to work in Australia it’s generally better to take the direct route.
I recommend a strategy call to clarify https://shop.advancemed.com.au/product/strategy-call/
Hello Anthony.
If I pass both parts of Plab and have an internship of one year completed from Sri Lanka. Would that make me eligible for an exception from AMC and give me eligibility of competent pathway registration.
Thank you in advance
Hi no. Because the UK supervision experience has to be approved by the GMC and from the UK or another competent authority country.
hello Anthony, thanks for this forum, am a foreign medical graduate from Nigeria (MBBS) . Do I need to write the IELTS/OET first before i can sit for PLAB?
Again, how do i apply for a “Short Term Specialist Training” in AUSTRALIA
Thanks
Hi I’m not sure what the requirements for sitting the PLAB are. I believe the English proficiency is tested as part of the PLAB.
Hi Anthony, you’re God sent 🙂
I’m an Australian resident, graduated from Norway(done with my Internship of 18months), currently working in UK. Than I’m planning to do PLAB. Now I’m sure I’ll be good to go for competent pathway. However, as per reading comments I cant understand the part ” you have to have a job offer “. If I’m understanding it rightfully, ones competent pathway relies on a job offer? And if I somehow do not have one I’m not eligible for this pathway?
Please correct me
Hi Ali
Yes that’s correct. To commence on any IMG pathway you need to have a suitable job offer first.
Hi Anthony,
Is it possible for one that has provisional GMC licence and PLAB certificate to do a twelve-month foundational programme and continue the medical practice in Australia?
Hi Evangeline. Yes. if you do the FY1 in the UK. Then you are eligible for the Competent Authority pathway in Australia. You still need to find a job here though.
Hi Anthony
If I do a two year residency in Russia will it consider as an internship an australia? I am currentlu planning to take Internal medicine for my residency.
Yes that would suffice as equivalent.
Hi, as you said we can skip AMC exams if we work in the UK for 12 months if the job is accredited. Can you please let me know how to check if a job is accredited or not?
Thank you!
There’s no set rule. The Medical Board here expects you to be able to show something official that demonstrates you worked in a supervised role. They have never issued any official guidance on this standard.
Hello Anthony,
If I pass both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 and I work for 12 months in the UK in a non-training job would I be able to start working in Australia then?
Only if that job is accredited in some way.
Hello
I have completed plab and acquired GMC registration. In the UK there are training posts and non training equivalents. For example fy2 training job and fy2 non training job. So am i eligible if i do one year of fy2 non training job in UK. ? And also otherwise, is one year of internship back in India sufficient to show as experience?
Hello Kundan one year of internship in India would be enough for standard pathway. But not for competent authority. The official wording from the Medical Board of Australia is as follows:
“There are two ways in which you can demonstrate that you meet the ‘12 months supervised training (internship equivalent) in the UK’ component of the eligibility criteria for category A (as per guidance initially provided in August 2015):
1. Provide evidence of ‘12 months supervised practice/training in an Approved Practice Setting in the
UK’.
Acceptable evidence would include:
a. confirmation in writing from the hospital(s) and/or employer(s) that you have satisfactorily completed 12 months supervised practice/training in the UK, and
b. confirmation in writing from the hospital(s) and/or employer(s) that the practice setting is an ‘Approved Practice Setting’
OR
2. Provide evidence of ‘a minimum of 12 months practice in the UK’.
Acceptable evidence would include:
a. confirmation in writing and/or certificate of service from the hospital(s) and/or employer(s) that you have had a minimum of 12 months practice in the UK.
You will also need to provide evidence that you have ‘successfully completed the Professional and
Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test since 1975’.”
https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/Registration/International-Medical-Graduates/Competent-Authority-Pathway.aspx
Is it really hard finding a job in Australia ?
And in place of fy1 can a person do non training job too for an year ?
Hello it’s generally fairly easy for someone with full PLAB to gain a job via competent authority, certainly much more so than standard pathway. Generally, any UK job where you can show a supervision report will do. But check the requirements with the Medical Board.
Hi Anthony,
If I finished my rotations in Ecuador.
I want to do the plabs and then work for a year in UK.
Then can I apply to AUS?
Even if I am not registered in UK since I will oy get provisional registration?
If you do the PLABs and work in the UK you will get registration there. Not sure what your question is?
Hello sir
If i clear plab and 1 year experience then go to my own country for specialist training after completing i can apply as a specialist in Australia
Potentially
Hi Anthony
I have completed MBBS from Bangladesh; moreover, I passed MRCS from The Royal College of Surgeons of England. I am eligible for GMC registration after clearing oet/ielts. Is it possible to exempt AMC exam without any further training? In which pathway I should proceed?
Regards
Dr MRK
Hello MRK thanks for the question. You would either need to complete the full requirements of the PLAB, including the supervised placement requirements OR go on to complete a Certificate of Completion (of Specialist) Training. Passing UK College exams has no relevance in Australia unless this is part of the CCT.
Hi Anthony
My
question is that how can I secure FY1 placement in England ,after passinng OET,and PLAB? and the next question is that If I work in hospital here in Australia as RMO and meanwhile grab PLAB certificate ,am I exmempted from AMC Clinical?
Regards
Ali
Brisbane
Hi Alireza I’m an expert on Australian doctor employment so I can’t really tell you how to get an FY1 placement in the UK. I understand its a similar process to here in Australia in that occasional gaps in the FY program emerge and they accept IMGs for these posts. I’m assuming from your question you already have AMC Part 1. If you had the full PLAB certificate yes you would be able to apply via competent authority. But I’m curious as to why you wouldn’t just attempt the Clinical here. It would be quicker.
Hi
I’ve full gmc registration and working in NHS as a registrar.
If I complete 12 months, am I eligible for AMC registration??
Hello Arunkumar have you completed the PLAB?
Am so confused. Having passed Plab 1 and 2 without the clinical experience in the UK. Can one get that experience in Australia to qualify for the competent pathway
With the UK or equivalent experience yes. Without it you are looking at the Standard Pathway.
I am from Afghanistan and graduated from medical facility in Afghanistan.
I don’t have specialization I a
Hi Mohammad. I’m not sure what your question is?
Hi I am general surgeon from india with MRCS how do I register with amc?
https://youtu.be/Ds0x1B7sZo0
Hello I m 41 years doctor , I m working as specialist family medicine in UAE I hold Mrcgp international , without residency program so can I apply for specialist pathway in RACGP or I need to go to AMC directly
You would likely need to go via AMC path
Hi sir.
What if i complete plab and 12 months supervised training in uk.
Where will i get placement in australia? I mean Which year of training?
How many years will it take to become seniour registerer in dermatology/medicine?
How many years after competent authority pathway ?
Then you would be eligible for the competent authority pathway. You would need to take your chances with employers and would mainly be applying for RMO jobs.
After plab and one year experience in uk how would u apply for specializatio traning in Australia .. what this competent pathway
You apply for a supervised post here first.
Hello.
I’m a Doctor from Bangladesh. I did my MBBS there but completed Masters in Dermatology in the United Kingdom. I have 3 years work experience post postgraduation. Can I apply for Specialist or Competent authority pathway?
I would say not as it sounds like you completed a university degree in the UK which is not the same as a fellowship. And you did not mention that you have a CCST.
Hi Anthony,
I am a medical graduate from belarus and doing my internship here for 1 year. I am preparing for PLAB 1&2. When i pass both plab exams i can directly enter FY2 by passing FY1. After completing FY2, will i be eligible to work in Australia bypassing AMC exams? Or do i have to do FY1 anyway?
Thank you in advance 😀
Hi Chamuli
Yes. If you manage to complete a supervised Foundational year in UK as well as all other components of PLAB you should be ok to apply for competent authority pathway posts.
Hi Anthony,
I have passed plab 1 and plab 2. Did my internship back home. I am working for a non training job equivalent to FY2 and is supervised. Will I be able to apply by comprtent pathway?
Thank you
I am from iran.l am working here as a cardiologist for 5 years.how can I immigrate to Australia as a cardiologist؟
Hello
It would sound like you are looking at the specialist pathway. I have youtube videos on this subject that you can review. If you want further help I would suggest booking a strategy call with me.
Hi
Thank you very much for the precise clarification.
I have GMC registration, as I have UK recognized post graduate qualification.( MRCPCH). But I do not have uk working experience. Instead, currently I am working in Australia under short term training (visa 482) for 1 year.
After 1 year Australian working experience can I apply general registration in Australia? Or what are the options available for to do so.
Thank you.
Ruban
Hi Ruban. No. You would probably have to apply via the Standard Pathway and do the AMC exams. It sounds like you are on a Short Term Specialist Training Registration which is time-limited and cannot convert over to other forms of registration.
Hello. I am from India. I am an orthopedic surgeon working currently in Singapore. I have an mrcs degree which can land me a registrar job and full GMC registration in the UK.. Which that experience, can I move to Australia?
That would not make you eligible for the Standard Pathway. The blog post explains why.