PATHWAYS TO REGISTRATION FOR IMGs

Changes to the registration pathways available to International Medical Graduates ("IMGs") who wish to practice in Western Australia are occurring as a result of the Council of Australian Government's ("COAG") decision to make arrangements for a new national system for the registration of health professionals.

All jurisdictions are introducing the following uniform assessment and registration pathways for IMGs in addition to the existing Australian Medical Council ("AMC") Examination Pathway:

1. Competent Authority Pathway
2. Standard Pathway
3. Specialist Pathway

1. Competent Authority Pathway

IMGs applying for non-specialist positions who have completed training and assessment through the AMC designated and approved Competent Authorities ("CA"), are eligible to apply to the AMC for "Advanced Standing" towards the AMC Certificate. If the AMC grants Advanced Standing status to an individual, he or she is not required to sit the AMC Multiple Choice Question ("MCQ") Examination or the AMC Clinical Examination, but is required to undertake 12 months of workplace based assessment whilst working under supervision.

All new applicants from 1 July 2008 must successfully obtain a Certificate of Advanced Standing from the AMC as a pre-requisite of application for conditional registration.

Commencing 1 December 2008, the Board will require some IMGs to successfully complete a pre-employment structured clinical interview ("the Interview") as a pre-requisite to being considered for conditional registration in Western Australia. Further information about the requirements for the Interview is available in the Board's Policy and the IMG Information Sheet.

After the IMG has:

• Obtained conditional registration status with the Board;
• Worked in a site-specific and position-description specific position for 12 months;
• Completed 12 months of satisfactory performance as evidenced by supervisor appraisals; and
• Satisfactorily completed any necessary workplace-based assessments.

The IMG then applies to the Board for a letter in support of their application to the AMC for an AMC Certificate.

On receipt of the AMC Certificate, a medical practitioner can apply to the Board for General Registration.

More information regarding the Competent Authority Pathway is available at http://amc.org.au/index.php/international-medical-graduates-mainmenu-207/competent-authority-mainmenu-204.html

2. Standard Pathway

IMGs not eligible under the CA Pathway or Specialist Pathways may be assessed and registered via the Standard Pathway. As follows:

New Applicants from 1 July 2008

All new applicants from 1st July 2008, must successfully complete the AMC MCQ Examination as a pre-requisite for applying for conditional registration.

Information regarding the AMC examination timetable and examination centres, including off-shore centres is available from the AMC website: www.amc.org.au.

Please be very aware of the closing dates for credentialing as a pre-requisite for the AMC MCQ examination. The credentialing dates will determine what AMC MCQ dates are available in the future. For example:

Examination series	Credentialing Closing Date	Closing date for Examination Applications	Examination Date	Results Despatched to Candidates
On-shore AMC 2009B MCQ	Friday 12 December 08	Thursday 5 February 09	Saturday 21 March 09	Friday 17 April 09
Off-shore AMC 2-09	Thursday 18 December 08	Thursday 12 February 09	24 - 25 March 09	Friday 17 April 09

Commencing 1 December 2008, the Board will require some IMGs to successfully complete a pre-employment structured clinical interview ("the Interview") as a pre-requisite to being considered for conditional registration in Western Australia. Further information about the requirements for the Interview is available in the Board's Policy and the IMG Information Sheet

Workplace based assessments, to replace the AMC Clinical Examination, are being developed to form part of this pathway. The timing and availability of the workplace based assessments is unknown. The AMC Clinical Examination pathway is still available and IMGs who maintain current conditional registration must within five years of the date of initially receiving conditional registration proceed to unconditional registration by:

• Successfully completing the AMC Examinations (AMC MCQ and AMC Clinical Examination) OR
• Obtaining Fellowship with an Australian specialist medical college.

3. Specialist Pathway

The nationally consistent assessment of IMGs is set out in the "Guidelines on the Specialist Assessment Pathways". These Guidelines outline the assessment categories as follows:

1. overseas-trained specialists for comparability to an Australian trained specialist; OR
2. overseas trained specialists applying for Area of Need positions; OR
3. overseas-trained specialists who apply for short-term training positions; OR
4. overseas specialists-in-training who apply for short-term training positions,

1. Overseas Trained Specialists ("OTS") for comparability to an Australian trained specialist
   
   OTS who are recognised as specialists in their country of training will require College assessment prior to registration. All new OTS applicants for conditional registration must provide a letter of support from the relevant Australian specialist medical college.
   
   
2. Overseas trained specialists applying for Area of Need positions
   
   OTS who are recognised as specialists in their country of training will require College assessment prior to registration. All new OTS applicants for conditional registration must provide a letter of support from the relevant Australian specialist medical college. Conditional registration will be position and location specific.
   
   
3. Overseas-trained specialists who apply for short-term training positions; AND
   
   
4. Overseas specialists-in-training who apply for short-term training positions:
   
   MUST:
   
   provide the following as a pre-requisite to applying for conditional registration:
   
   
   • Form AF Application for Assessment by a Specialist College of an Overseas Specialist-in-Training completed by the relevant Australian specialist medical college; and
   • Form C Statement of Intention by Overseas Specialist-in-Training to state their intention to return to their country of training at the end of training in Australia.
     
     
   The relevant Specialist College will be able to determine as to whether the:
   
   
   1. position is a suitable training position; and
      
      
   2. specified training program is appropriate for the applicant according to the following specific criteria:
      
      
      • The applicant is a recognised specialist or specialist-in-training in their country of training, the latter category comprising those who have passed specialist examinations and/or are no more than two years from completing specialist training in their country of training.
        
        
      • The applicant will be undertaking training or obtaining experience in Australia not available in their country of training, for a short period - normally up to one year but can in exceptional circumstances be extended to three years, and includes opportunities such as exchange fellowships.
        
        
      • There is comprehensive documentation concerning the training program and the nominated supervisor and evidence that the training program is appropriate for the applicant, taking into consideration their prior training and experience.
        
        
   It is not expected that the specified training would lead to the awarding of an Australian Specialist Fellowship.
   
   The above criteria provide guidance to determine suitability of an applicant for a specified training position according to the individual circumstances of each applicant. The purpose of the College assessment is to provide advice to the Board as to whether the criteria above are satisfied.
   
   The Board will determine the applicant's suitability for registration taking into account the advice provided by the relevant Specialist College and considering all other registration requirements, including the applicant's stated intention to return to their country of training at the end of training in Australia.

OTS and specialists-in-training applying for registration under the Specialist Pathway will not be required to sit the AMC MCQ Examination as long as they remain in the Specialist Pathway.

General practitioners ("GPs") may be eligible for the Specialist Pathway, but will need to be assessed by the relevant College - Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). For the details of progressing through this Pathway please contact RACGP.

Applicants who do not satisfy the criteria for the Specialist Pathway will need to progress through either the Competent Authority or Standard Pathways.