Apply for the Medical Residency & Speciality Training in Australia ....
Mar 21, 2023 10:50:35
Looking for English-speaking training, excellent hospitals, and clear college-led pathways to specialist status? Australia offers paid, structured postgraduate training with globally respected Fellowships. Here’s a practical, SEO-friendly guide for international medical graduates (IMGs).
English-medium system with strong patient safety standards and modern hospitals.
Paid training posts (hospital employment with incremental pay and benefits).
College-led specialist training (FRACP, FRACS, FACEM, FANZCA, FRANZCR, FRANZCOG, RACGP/ACRRM, etc.).
Balanced lifestyle: great cities, outdoor culture, and competitive salaries.
Pathways for IMGs with transparent registration and visa options.
Australia’s pathway is employment-based and college-run (no national “match”). Typical stages:
Intern (PGY1) – 12 months supervised practice (Aussie grads).
Resident / RMO / HMO (PGY2+) – prevocational years, rotations to build experience.
Registrar (vocational training) – entry into a specialist college program (3–7+ years, specialty-dependent).
Fellowship – complete training + exams → become a Fellow (e.g., FRACP, FRACS) and eligible for specialist registration.
Post-fellowship subspecialty training – additional 1–3 years in niche areas (e.g., interventional, ICU, subspecialty surgery).
Key colleges
RACP (Physician & Paeds), RACS (Surgery), RACGP & ACRRM (General Practice), ACEM (Emergency), ANZCA (Anaesthesia/ICU via CICM), RANZCOG (OB-GYN), RANZCR (Radiology), RANZCP (Psych), RACP subspecialty societies (Cardiology, Gastro, Heme/Onc, etc.), RCPA (Pathology), RANZCO (Ophthalmology), ENT, Ortho, Plastics, Urology, Neurosurgery and others under RACS.
To work clinically you must register with the Medical Board of Australia (AHPRA). Common IMG routes:
Standard Pathway (non-specialists)
For doctors without recognized specialist qualifications.
AMC exams: AMC CAT MCQ + AMC Clinical (or approved Workplace Based Assessment, WBA).
Start with Limited/Provisional registration under supervision → progress to General registration after requirements.
Competent Authority Pathway
For grads who completed internship/licensure in designated countries (e.g., UK, Ireland, USA (USMLE + internship), Canada, NZ).
Usually no AMC Clinical; after supervised practice (typically 12 months FTE) → General registration.
Specialist Pathway (specialists & trainees)
For doctors with overseas specialist qualifications or advanced training.
Relevant college assesses comparability (substantially/partially/not comparable).
May require top-up training, exams, or peer review to achieve Specialist registration.
English language: IELTS/OET (or accepted equivalents) unless exempt.
Supervision: Required levels set by AHPRA; employer and supervisor must be approved.
Common visas:
TSS (Subclass 482) – employer-sponsored; widely used for registrars/medical officers.
Training (Subclass 407) – for structured, supervised training not leading to ongoing work (used in some fellowship/observership contexts).
Skilled visas/PR – independent or state-nominated pathways (separate points processes).
Jobs: Apply directly to state health services and hospitals (NSW Health, Queensland Health, Victoria Health, WA Health, SA Health, NT Health, ACT Health, Tasmania) and larger private networks. Selection is interview- and merit-based.
Tip: Rural and regional hospitals often have more IMG opportunities and broader hands-on exposure.
Selection is competitive and run by each college.
Requirements usually include: Australian clinical experience, supervisor reports, General registration (or appropriate Limited with conditions), specific rotations (e.g., medicine, surgery, ED, ICU), ALS/ACLS/ATLS/APLS courses, referees, and sometimes portfolio/interview & entrance exams.
Duration & structure (indicative):
RACP (Adult/Paeds): Basic training ~3 years + exams → Advanced training 2–3 years (Cardiology, GI, Heme/Onc, Respiratory, Endocrine, Nephro, Rheum, ID, etc.).
RACS (Surgery): Core Surgical Training + SET in subspecialty (Gen Surg, Ortho, ENT, Plastics, Urology, Vasc, Neurosurg, Cardiothoracic) ~5–6+ years total.
ACEM (Emergency): ~5–6 years including exams, paeds/ICU/anaes blocks.
ANZCA (Anaesthesia): ~5 years + pain/ICU options; CICM (Intensive Care) ~6 years.
RANZCR (Radiology): 5 years with physics & viva/long cases; Radiation Oncology similar length.
RANZCOG (OB-GYN): 6 years plus assessments and surgical logbooks.
RACGP (GP): ~3 years (plus exams: AKT/KFP/OSCE replacement formats) with DPA/rural incentives; ACRRM (Rural GP) ~3–4 years with broader scope (ED/procedures).
1–3 years in advanced areas: Interventional Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Advanced GI/ERCP, Hem-Onc (BMT/Cell therapy), Pulm/Crit, ICU subspecialties, Neonatology/PICU, IR, MSK/Neuro/Body MRI, Pain, Spine, Complex General Surgical Oncology, HPB, Colorectal, Urogyn, MFM, Gyn Onc, Hand, Microsurgery, etc.
Positions are hospital/college-accredited; Senior Registrar/Fellow roles are salaried.
Residents/Registrars are salaried employees; rates vary by state and year level, with penalties for nights/weekends, and paid leave (annual, sick, parental), plus CME allowances.
Hours: Enterprise agreements set caps, fatigue management, and rostering rights.
Living costs: Higher in Sydney/Melbourne; more affordable in Adelaide, Brisbane (outer), Perth, Hobart, Canberra, and regional centers.
Australian Fellowships (e.g., FRACP/FRACS/FACEM/FANZCA/FRANZCR/RANZCOG/RACGP/ACRRM) are widely respected; however, licensing abroad is country-specific. Check your home medical council for reciprocity or exam requirements.
Choose your pathway: Standard vs Competent Authority vs Specialist Pathway.
English & exams: Book IELTS/OET; plan AMC (MCQ + Clinical/WBA) if Standard Pathway.
Documents & verification: Primary-source verification (EPIC/ECFMG-style), notarised copies, CV, references, vaccination records.
AHPRA registration: Apply for Limited/Provisional/General or Specialist registration as eligible.
Job applications: Target hospitals (regional and metro), craft an Australia-style CV, address selection criteria, line up referees.
Visa & onboarding: Employer sponsorship (482/407), occupational health, indemnity, supervision plan.
Map college entry requirements early: Tick off rotations/courses to be competitive for registrar selection.
Internal Medicine & subspecialties (Cardiology, GI, Heme/Onc, Resp, Endo, Nephro, Rheum, ID), General Practice (RACGP/ACRRM), General Surgery & subspecialties, Orthopaedics, ENT, Urology, Plastics, Neurosurgery, Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesia, Intensive Care, Paediatrics & Neonatology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Radiology, Psychiatry, Pathology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Public Health Medicine, Ophthalmology, Dermatology.
Target regional hospitals first to secure Australian experience and supervisor reports.
Keep a procedure/logbook-driven CV; include QI with closed loops, audits, teaching, and courses (ALS/ACLS/ATLS/APLS).
Network smartly: Contact departments, attend grand rounds, join college trainee events.
Know your college prerequisites (rotations, minimum time, exam windows) well before applying.
Consider rural pathways (RACGP/ACRRM) with incentives and faster progression to independent practice.
Can international doctors do residency in Australia?
Yes—through AHPRA registration (Standard/Competent Authority/Specialist Pathway) and hospital employment, then selection into a college training program.
Do I need AMC exams?
If you’re on the Standard Pathway, yes (AMC MCQ + Clinical/WBA). Competent Authority or Specialist Pathways may not require both.
Is training paid?
Yes. Interns, RMOs, registrars, and fellows are paid employees with benefits.
How long to become a specialist?
Usually 5–8+ years post-internship depending on specialty and exam timing.
Which visa should I use?
Commonly TSS 482 (employer sponsored) or Training 407; options depend on your role and hospital.
Do I need rural work?
Not always, but rural/regional roles often offer more opportunities and may be required/incentivised in GP training (DPA).
Assess your best AHPRA/AMC/College pathway
Timeline for English & AMC exams and document verification
Hospital/job shortlisting, Australia-style CV and interview prep
Strategy for college selection (RACP/RACS/ACEM/ANZCA/RACGP/ACRRM/others)
Visa & onboarding checklist (482/407, indemnity, vaccinations, housing)
Competent Authority pathway
Specialist pathway
Standard pathway
Short term training in a medical speciality pathway
The Competent Authority pathway is for overseas-trained non-specialists, but is also available to specialists, including general practitioners. This pathway leads to general registration.
IMGs who have passed recognised examinations or have completed training through a Medical Board of Australia approved competent authority, can apply for assessment under this pathway.
IMGs applying for the Competent Authority pathway should apply directly to the Medical Board of Australia for provisional registration.
United Kingdom – General Medical Council (GMC) and Professional and Linguistics Assessment Board (PLAB) examination or graduates of GMC-accredited medical courses in the UK
Canada – Licentiate examinations of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC)
United States – United States Medical Licensing Examination of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME)
New Zealand – Medical Council of New Zealand Registration EXamination (NZREX)
Ireland – medical courses accredited by the Medical Council of Ireland.
The Specialist Pathway for medical residency in Australia is designed for international medical graduates who have completed specialist training in their home country and wish to obtain specialist recognition in Australia. This pathway allows international medical graduates to gain registration as a specialist with the Medical Board of Australia.
To be eligible for the Specialist Pathway, international medical graduates must:
Hold a specialist medical qualification that is recognized by the Medical Board of Australia.
Have completed a minimum of 3 years of specialist training in their home country.
Meet the English language proficiency requirements set by the Medical Board of Australia.
Meet the other registration requirements set by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
The application process for the Specialist Pathway involves submitting an application to the relevant specialist medical college in Australia, along with supporting documentation of qualifications and experience. The medical college will assess the application and determine the suitability of the candidate for specialist recognition in Australia.
If the application is successful, the international medical graduate may be required to complete a period of supervised practice in Australia before being granted specialist recognition. The duration of the supervised practice period may vary depending on the specialty and individual circumstances.
The Standard Pathway for international medical graduates to practice as a medical practitioner in Australia involves passing a series of exams administered by the Australian Medical Council (AMC).
The exams required under the Standard Pathway include:
This is a computer-based multiple-choice question exam that assesses basic medical knowledge and understanding.
The AMC MCQ (Multiple Choice Question) exam is a standardized test used to assess the medical knowledge and clinical skills of international medical graduates (IMGs) who want to practice medicine in Australia. The exam is administered by the Australian Medical Council (AMC), and passing the exam is a requirement for registration as a medical practitioner in Australia.
The AMC MCQ exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover a range of medical disciplines, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and clinical medicine. The questions are based on Australian medical practice, and the exam is designed to assess the knowledge and skills of IMGs who have completed their medical education and training outside of Australia.
The exam is computer-based and is administered at various locations around the world. Applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, including holding a primary medical qualification that is recognized by the AMC and having a good standard of English language proficiency.
This is a practical exam that assesses clinical skills and communication with patients. It is typically conducted in Australia and involves simulated patient encounters.
The AMC Clinical exam is a standardized test used to assess the clinical skills and knowledge of international medical graduates (IMGs) who want to practice medicine in Australia. The exam is administered by the Australian Medical Council (AMC), and passing the exam is a requirement for registration as a medical practitioner in Australia.
The AMC Clinical exam consists of a series of clinical stations, each of which assesses a different aspect of medical practice, such as communication skills, history taking, physical examination, clinical reasoning, and diagnosis and management of medical conditions. The exam is designed to assess the clinical competence of IMGs who have completed their medical education and training outside of Australia and to ensure that they meet the same standards as Australian medical graduates.
The exam is conducted in person at a designated testing center in Australia, and applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, including passing the AMC MCQ exam, holding a primary medical qualification that is recognized by the AMC, and having a good standard of English language proficiency.
To prepare for the AMC Clinical exam, applicants can use various resources, including textbooks, online courses, and practice exams. The AMC provides a list of recommended textbooks and other resources on its website, and it also offers an online trial exam to help applicants prepare.
Passing the AMC Clinical exam is an important step for IMGs who want to practice medicine in Australia. After passing the exam, applicants must meet other registration requirements before they can apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and practice medicine in Australia.
This involves supervised clinical training in an approved hospital or health care setting in Australia, during which the candidate's clinical performance is assessed by a supervisor.
Workplace-based assessment is a method of assessing an individual's knowledge, skills, and competency in a particular field or profession through observation and evaluation of their performance in the workplace. It involves regular, ongoing assessment and feedback to ensure that the individual is developing and maintaining the necessary skills and knowledge required for their job.
Workplace-based assessment is commonly used in professions such as medicine, nursing, and allied health, where practical skills and hands-on experience are essential for effective practice. It involves direct observation of the individual's performance by a supervisor or assessor, who provides feedback and guidance on areas that need improvement.
In addition to passing these exams, international medical graduates must also meet other requirements to be eligible to practice medicine in Australia, including English language proficiency and meeting the registration requirements of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Specialization |
Duration |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | 5 years |
| Cardiology | 6 years |
| Dermatology | 4 years |
| Emergency Medicine | 5 years |
| Endocrinology | 6 years |
| Gastroenterology | 6 years |
| General Practice | 3 years |
| Geriatrics | 3 years |
| Hematology | 5 years |
| Infectious Diseases | 5 years |
| Internal Medicine | 3-6 years |
| Neurology | 5 years |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology | 4-6 years |
| Oncology | 5 years |
| Ophthalmology | 5 years |
| Orthopedics | 5 years |
| Otolaryngology (ENT) | 5 years |
| Pediatrics | 4-6 years |
| Psychiatry | 5 years |
| Radiology | 5-6 years |
| Rehabilitation Medicine | 5 years |
| Respiratory Medicine | 5 years |
| Rheumatology | 5 years |
| Surgery | 5-6 years |
| Urology | 6 years |
University of Melbourne: The University of Melbourne offers a range of medical residency programs, including Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oncology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Radiology, and Surgery.
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital: The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney offers residency programs in Emergency Medicine, General Practice, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Oncology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Surgery.
Monash Health: Monash Health in Melbourne offers residency programs in Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, General Practice, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oncology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Radiology, Surgery, and Urology.
Royal Perth Hospital: The Royal Perth Hospital in Perth offers residency programs in Anesthesiology, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Oncology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Radiology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Surgery, and Urology.
Royal Adelaide Hospital: The Royal Adelaide Hospital in Adelaide offers residency programs in Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Oncology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Radiology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Surgery, and Urology.
The Prince Charles Hospital: The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane offers residency programs in Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Oncology, Orthopedics, Psychiatry, Radiology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Surgery, and Urology.
Westmead Hospital, Sydney
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Alfred Health, Melbourne
Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney
St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne
Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane
Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth
Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide
Austin Health, Melbourne
Mater Hospital, Brisbane
Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania
Liverpool Hospital, Sydney
The Canberra Hospital
Cairns Hospital, Queensland
To be eligible for medical residency in Australia, you must have completed a medical degree from a recognized institution, either in Australia or overseas. Additionally, you must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and have a current medical registration.
Research residency programs: Research the residency programs available in Australia that match your interests and qualifications. Consider the location, program duration, and requirements, such as language proficiency, clinical experience, and eligibility criteria.
Submit an application: Once you have identified the residency programs you are interested in, submit your application directly to the program or through the relevant centralized application service, such as the Australian Medical Council (AMC).
Selection process: The selection process may include an interview, review of your application and supporting documents, and possibly a clinical exam or assessment. The selection criteria may vary depending on the program and institution.
Acceptance: If you are offered a position in a residency program, you will need to accept the offer and provide any additional documentation required by the institution or program.
Start residency: Once you have been accepted into a residency program, you will typically begin your training at the start of the academic year. You will be required to complete a minimum number of years of training, depending on your specialty, before becoming fully qualified.
The specific documents required for medical residency in Australia may vary depending on the individual residency program and the applicant's personal circumstances. However, some of the typical documents that may be required for the application process include:
Academic transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended by the applicant, including medical school.
Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed CV outlining the applicant's educational background, work experience, research experience, publications, and other relevant information.
Letters of recommendation: Letters of recommendation from professors, supervisors, or other professionals who can attest to the applicant's qualifications, work ethic, and character.
English proficiency test results: International applicants whose first language is not English may be required to submit results from an English language proficiency test, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Medical registration: Applicants must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to practice medicine in Australia.
Visa documents: International applicants may be required to provide documentation related to their visa status, including proof of eligibility to work in Australia.
According to the Australian Medical Association (AMA), the minimum salary for medical residents in Australia is currently AUD 81,531 per year. However, many residency programs offer higher salaries or stipends, depending on the program and location.
According to the latest data from the Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business, the median salary for medical practitioners in Australia is AUD 106,000 per year. However, this can vary widely depending on the specialty, with some specialties such as neurosurgery, cardiology, and radiology earning significantly higher salaries than others.
To obtain a visa for medical residency in Australia, you will need to follow the specific visa application process set out by the Australian government.
The most common visa type for medical residents in Australia is the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which is also known as the Subclass 482 visa. This visa is designed for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer for a temporary stay in Australia to work in a nominated occupation. Medical residency falls under the "Medical Practitioner" occupation category.
To apply for the TSS visa, you will need to:
Be nominated by an approved Australian employer for a position in the "Medical Practitioner" occupation category.
Meet the relevant English language requirements.
Have the required qualifications and work experience.
Meet the health and character requirements.
Apply for the visa and pay the relevant application fees.
