AMC Registration
In order to work as a medical practitioner in Australia you must either have registration with the AMC (Australian Medical Council) or be registered for special purposes with one of the Australian Medical Boards. For full registration with the AMC you must have completed your medical degree in Australia or New Zealand or pass the AMC exam (equivalent to final medical exam).
Most overseas doctors therefore choose to apply for special purpose registration which initially requires:
- Completing form M1SP, together with supporting documentation
- Applying to have your qualifications verified by the EICS.
- Determining whether you need to write the IELTS exam.
- Requesting certificates of good standing from the respective health boards.
1. Completing form M1SP, together with supporting documentation
Global medics will supply the M1SP application which you will need to complete and return with the following supporting documentation and the application fee of AUD 445:
- Notarized copies of your medical qualifications, together with official translations thereof if the original is not in English.
- Notarized copy of the biodata page of your passport, containing your photo, names, passport number etc.
- Original IELTS certificate, indicating a minimum of 7 in each of the categories. Please note that not everyone is required to have sat the IELTS examination. Further information on whether you would be eligible for exemption can be seen in separate IELTS section
- One colour passport photograph endorsed on the back by a witness as follows: I (witness) certify this photograph to be a true likeness of (applicant's name) and signed and dated on the back by the witness AND the applicant.
- Global Medics will prepare your CV in the appropriate format, and return it to you for you to sign the declaration on the last page.
2. EICS verification
If you intend working in Queensland as a doctor, your qualifications must be verified by the EICS in the United States of America.
The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) established the International Credentials Services (EICS) in 2000 to assist international medical registration authorities in obtaining primary source verification of medical education and registration credentials of physicians applying for licensure whose medical education was completed outside their jurisdictions. EICS offers assistance to these authorities by obtaining primary source verification of medical school diplomas, medical school transcripts, certificates of postgraduate training and certificates of medical registration.
Each medical board has slightly different application forms and Global medics can supply the correct one and provide guidance to help you complete it. The EICS only require photocopies of your degrees. These do not need to be notarized, however the Affidavit and Release' must be certified by a Consular Official, First Class Magistrate, or Notary Public. (Commissioner of Oaths/Declaration and Justices of the Peace are not acceptable)
3. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
A national English Language Proficiency requirement for all International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who require registration in Australia has been accepted by:
- Medical Board of the Australian Capital Territory
- Medical Board of New South Wales
- Northern Territory Health Professions Licensing Authority
- Medical Board of South Australia
- Medical Council of Tasmania
- Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria
- Medical Board of Western Australia
- Australian Medical Council
The test is administered at least once a month by IELTS Australia and The British Council at over 230 centres worldwide.
Applicants need to submit evidence to the relevant registration authority of competency in speaking and communicating in English as demonstrated by having completed the IELTS examination (Academic module) to the following standard:
- The Board will require the applicant to have achieved a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components
- Alternative English proficiency tests that will be accepted are: a) pass in the Occupational English Test (OET), b) pass in the English language component of the United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE previously ECFMG) but not the TOEFL component of the current USMLE examination, or c) A pass in the Professional Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) in the United Kingdom; or d) A pass in the English language proficiency component of the New Zealand Registration Examination (NZREX)
- Results must have been obtained within 2 years prior to applying for registration
- An IELTS (or approved equivalent) Test Report Form more than two years old will be accepted as evidence of present level of ability if accompanied by proof that a candidate has actively maintained employment as a medical practitioner in a country where English is the native or first language.
NOTE:
applicant is responsible for the cost of English tests. For Medical Board of Queensland pass results in each component of the IELTS or Occupational English Test (OET) must be obtained at the one sitting i.e. pass results in a module from a previous attempt at either examination can not be carried forward to a subsequent sitting which, when combined, would give an overall pass in the examination.
Exemptions may apply when the applicant can provide evidence of secondary education in a country where English is the native or first language.
At the Board's discretion, an exemption may be approved in special circumstances to applicants applying for registration. Examples would be, but are not limited to:
- perform a demonstration in medical techniques; or
- undertake research which involves limited or no patient contact; or
- undertake postgraduate study or training while working in an appropriately
- supported environment which will ensure patient safety is not compromised.
4. Certificates of Good Standing
You will require a certificate of good standing from every medical board you have ever been registered with. Note that these certificates of good standing must be sent directly from the licensing authority to the medical board you may not have these in your possession. The medical board in will not accept faxed copies.
Global medics are happy to provide the correct addresses and departments for each medical board where COGS must be couriered to.