IMG Registrar Training Program

Eligibility – Entry into Year One of the Program

Applicants applying for entry into Year One of the IMG Registrar Training Program must complete all fields in the online initial application form. Note that progression to Year Two of the IMG Registrar Training Program requires the candidate to meet additional criteria, which must be satisfactorily achieved to allow progression.  These criteria are required to be met for progression to Year Two of the IMG Registrar Training Program.  Failure to meet these requirements may lead to dismissal from the program.

Selection Criteria

Selection into the IMG Registrar Training Program is competitive.  The criterion and weighting of selection criteria includes:

• Curriculum Vitae – 50%
• Structured Interview – 50%

Curriculum Vitae

During scoring of an application, points will be awarded for the following:

• Clinical Experience
• Higher Degree
• Research
• Publications – quality of journals
• Presentations at international meetings
• Administrative involvement and organisation skills
• Other activities – leadership qualities

Structured Interview

The structured interview will be scored with points awarded for the following:

• Medical interviewing skills
• Physical examination skills
• Clinical judgement
• Treatment / advice
• Communication skills
• Professionalism
• Procedural skills
• Familiarity with social and cultural issues and idioms

Eligibility – Progression to Year Two

In order to progress to Year Two of the IMG Registrar Training Program, candidates must pass summative assessment (refer to the ‘Exit Examination’ tab above for further information) and must also meet the following requirements:

• Satisfy Department of Immigration and Border Protection (http://www.border.gov.au) requirements regarding working in Australia;
• Satisfy Department of Health / Department of Human Services requirements for obtaining a valid Medicare Provider Number for medical practice in Australia;
• Satisfy Medical Board of Australia registration standard requirements

Department of Immigration and Border Protection

Registrars must obtain a valid working visa through the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.  This is to be obtained independently.

Department of Health & Department of Human Services

For most training practice positions, Registrars must obtain and maintain a valid Medicare Provider Number.

Section 19AB

Section 19AB of the Act applies to overseas trained doctors (OTDs) and foreign graduates of accredited medical schools (FGAMS) who gained their first medical registration or became permanent Australian residents or citizens on or after 1 January 1997. Section 19AB restricts their access to Medicare provider numbers and requires them to work in a district of workforce shortage (DWS) for their medical specialty in order to access Medicare benefits arrangements.  OTDs and FGAMS who are subject to section 19AB are generally required to work in a DWS for a minimum period of 10 years (referred to as the 10 year moratorium requirement) from the date of their first Australian medical registration.

Section 19AA

Section 19AA of the Act was introduced to recognise and support general practice as a vocational speciality, as well as to provide a framework for achieving long term improvements in the quality of doctors working in Australia. As section 19AA of the Act is a quality assurance measure there is no exemption from the requirement to obtain vocational recognition to be eligible to access the Medicare benefits arrangements.  Section 19AA of the Act places a requirement on all doctors who were registered in Australia after 1 November 1996 and are permanent residents or Australian citizens to obtain vocational recognition as a GP, specialist or consultant physician in order to access Medicare rebates. A doctor is considered to be vocationally recognised once they have obtained a Fellowship qualification that is recognised in Australia. Doctors who are subject to section 19AA of the Act may otherwise obtain Medicare access if they are working towards obtaining a Fellowship qualification on one of the approved workforce or training programmes that are included in Schedule 5, Part 2 of the Health Insurance Regulations 1975 (the Regulations).

Medical Board of Australia

Registrars must meet minimum Registration Standards to obtain Limited Registration from the Medical Board of Australia.  This may include:

• Limited Registration for Area of Need, or;
• Limited Registration for Postgraduate Training or Supervised Practice

The minimum Registration Standards include:

1. Meet the requirements in the Board’s approved registration standards for:

• English language skills
• Recency of practice
• Professional indemnity insurance, and
• Continuing professional development

2. Comply with the Board’s proof of identity policy as published on either the Board or the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) websites

3. Provide evidence of having been awarded a primary degree in medicine and surgery, after completing an approved course of study at a medical school listed in the current International Medical Education Directory (IMED) of the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER), or other publications approved by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) and/or Board. An approved course of study means that you must be able to demonstrate that you have completed a medical curriculum of at least four academic years (full-time equivalent), leading to an entitlement to registration in the country issuing the degree to practise clinical medicine

4. Provide evidence that you have applied for, or have the results of, primary source verification of medical qualifications from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) International Credentials Service (EICS)

5. Provide evidence of successful completion of a medical internship or comparable. The Board may issue guidance on what defines a comparable medical internship.

6. Provide a curriculum vitae that meets the standard format that has been approved by the Board

7. Provide details of past registration history: you are also required to arrange for the Board to receive certificates of good standing / registration status (or equivalent type of certificate) from each registration authority that you have been registered with in the previous 10 years. The certificates should be supplied, where possible, directly to the Board from the relevant registration authority

8. Satisfactorily complete a criminal history check in accordance with guidance issued from time to time by the Board of AHPRA

The above is not exhaustive.  Further information regarding the minimum registration standards are available through the AHPRA website at www.ahpra.gov.au

Recognition of Prior Learning – Year Two Direct Entry Pathway

Candidates who have passed the AMC CAT MCQ may apply directly for entry into Year Two of the IMG Registrar Training Program.

Candidates who have additionally passed the AMC Clinical Exam and hold a valid AMC Certificate may also apply for entry into Year Two of the IMG Registrar Training Program.

Recognition of prior learning is only valid for Year One subjects.  All candidates must enrol in and complete all Year Two subjects regardless of prior learning or qualifications obtained.  All candidates must meet Year Two eligibility requirements in order to secure or maintain a position in the IMG Registrar Training Program.