IMG Registrar Training Program

About the IMG Registrar Training Program

The IMG Registrar Training Program is a world-class vocational training program for international medical graduates wishing to pursue a career in medicine in Australia through the Standard Pathway for international medical graduates.  The Standard Pathway as described by the Australian Medical Council is the most common pathway for international medical graduates seeking to achieve General Registration with the Medical Board of Australia. The IMG Registrar Training Program provides vocational training in general practices and hospitals and combines in-practice learning, small group training, seminars and online modules.  The Program enables registrars to build their medical knowledge and experience, develop competence and familiarity with the Australian health care system, and meet the requirements of the Australian Medical Council to achieve General Registration with the Medical Board of Australia. The Program enables registrars the only formalised and structured learning and training pathway to achieve BOTH certification with the Australian Medical Council (through conferral of the AMC Certificate) AND general registration with the Medical Board of Australia (through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency – AHPRA). 
To facilitate their transition into Australian medical practice, registrars receive a competitive salary from the accredited Australian Training Practice by whom they are employed throughout Year 2 of the Program.

Program Vision

1. To graduate doctors who can effectively function as safe junior doctors, working under supervision, within the Australian health care system.
2. To graduate doctors who have a strong foundation of relevant and necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will enable them to undergo postgraduate training in any one of the many fields of medicine
3. To graduate doctors who will be committed to the ethos of medicine, personal development and life-long learning

Program Objectives

At the completion of studies, graduates of the IMG Registrar Training Program will:

• Understand the basic and clinical sciences and be able to apply them to deliver safe and quality medicine
• Have the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to identify and manage common and serious illness
• Apply key principles learned to maintain the health of both individuals and communities
• Incorporate research and evaluation into clinical practice and the delivery of health services
• Direct their own learning and evaluate their own performance before and after graduation
• Maintain an understanding of information technology, sources of evidence and its application to practice, and clinical audit
• Apply the highest ethical and professional standards in their practice of medicine

Program Structure

The IMG Registrar Training Program is usually completed over a minimum 2-year period. The length of the training program may be reduced with recognition of prior learning.  Doctors of this program may require extensions of learning in order to meet all of the requirements of the program, which is granted on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning allows direct entry into Year Two of the training program. However, positions are limited as priority is given to accommodating registrars who have completed Year One of the training program. Refer to the ‘Entry Requirements’ tab above for further information about the Year Two Direct Entry Pathway.

Year One

• IMG101 – Foundations of Australian Medical Practice Course
• IMG102 – Advanced Strategies for AMC MCQ Exam Preparation Course

Year 2

• GP100 – Essentials for Working as a Doctor in Australia
• GP101 – Essentials for Orientation to Australian Medical Practice
• PESCI102 – PESCI Interview Preparation Online Course
• IMG201 – Bridging Course for the AMC Clinical Exam
• IMG202 – Advanced Strategies for AMC Clinical Exam Preparation Course
• IMG203 – Live Preparation Workshop for the AMC Clinical Exam
• IMG204 – IMG Vocational Training Course

Method of Training

The methods of training include:

• Seeing patients in a supervised setting
• In-practice education, where you are guided by a medical supervisor
• Self-paced learning, including completing online modules
• Face-to-face educational activities, in a small group setting
• Clinical examination workshop and tutorials
• Australian Medical Council Exams preparation

Year One of the Program is delivered completely online through our Learning Management System (LMS).  In Year Two of the Program, most of the training is delivered by interactive practice-based teaching and experience, as well as online through the LMS.  The training involves patient-stimulated learning where registrars have direct contact with patients as well as in-practice teaching where you learn from talking to, watching and interacting with your clinical supervisor.  There are additional formal pre-planned activities, such as tutorials taught by your supervisor or other staff.  As a registrar completing the training program, you will receive full support and resources to ensure that you’re on the right track to meet the requirements of attaining General Registration and your AMC Certificate.

Completion of Training

Successful completion of the IMG Registrar Training Program will see graduates obtain the AMC Certificate from the Australian Medical Council, as well as General Registration with the Medical Board of Australia, subject to assessment by the Medical Board of Australia to established standards.  Conferral of this certification will open pathways for International Medical Graduates to pursue their career objectives within the Australian health care system including further specialist training pathways.

Extension of Training

Registrars who are unable to successfully complete the AMC Clinical Exam during Year Two of training may apply for extension of training to enable a re-test or repeat examination.  Extension of training is granted on a case-by-case basis and occurs in 12-month contract terms.  Extension of training is granted based upon feedback from the Training Practice Supervisor, and direction of the Medical Board of Australia with regards to the Registrar’s limited registration.  If extension of training is not granted for any reason, dismissal from the program will occur.

Your Salary

Registrars in Year Two of the IMG Registrar Training Program will be employed by accredited practices and will receive a salary from the Training Practice during this part of their training.

The final salary is determined by the Training Practice upon consideration of the position and job classification, plus the statutory rate of superannuation as determined by the Commonwealth, which is currently 9.5% at minimum.

Initial Application Form – Step 1

The initial step is to complete the online application form below. The online application will ask a series of questions to check your eligibility for the program.  You will also be asked to provide certain documentation and a CV. Refer to the ‘Enrolment’ tab above for further information about the application and competitive selection process.