The Standard Pathway: The Main Route for International Medical Graduates to Practise in Australia

For many international medical graduates (IMGs), the Standard Pathway is the most common route to practising medicine in Australia. It is designed for doctors who trained outside Australia and who do not qualify for other streamlined routes such as the Competent Authority Pathway or specialist recognition pathways.

While the process involves several stages, it follows a clear framework established by the Medical Board of Australia and the Australian Medical Council (AMC). Understanding how the pathway works—and planning each step carefully—can make the journey to registration significantly smoother.

Who Is the Standard Pathway For?

The Standard Pathway is intended for international medical graduates who wish to obtain general registration in Australia.

It is commonly used by doctors who trained in countries outside the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada or New Zealand, and who are not applying directly for specialist recognition. Many doctors who follow this pathway initially work in hospital positions and later move into general practice or specialist training programs.

Ultimately, the Standard Pathway leads to general registration with the Medical Board of Australia, which allows a doctor to practise medicine independently.

Eligibility Requirements

To begin the Standard Pathway, doctors must first hold a primary qualification in medicine and surgery awarded by a training institution recognised by both the Australian Medical Council and the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS).

In addition to holding a recognised medical degree, candidates must also pass the AMC Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) examination before they can apply for medical registration in Australia.

Verifying Your Medical Qualifications

Before applying for registration, all international medical graduates must complete Primary Source Verification (PSV) of their medical degree.

This process is managed by the Australian Medical Council, which verifies qualifications using the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) verification service.

Doctors must first create an AMC candidate account and portfolio, which allows the AMC to initiate the verification process. They must also establish an ECFMG MyIntealth account and an EPIC portfolio, through which their medical credentials are verified directly with the issuing university.

Primary source verification is a critical step because it confirms that the qualifications presented by the applicant are authentic and recognised internationally.

The AMC Examinations

Once their qualifications have been verified, doctors must pass the AMC CAT MCQ examination. This exam assesses medical knowledge at the level expected of an Australian medical graduate entering supervised practice.

After passing the MCQ exam, candidates must complete a further assessment in order to obtain the AMC Certificate, which is required for general registration.

There are two ways to achieve this.

The first is the AMC Clinical Examination, which is the pathway used by most international medical graduates. This practical exam evaluates a doctor’s ability to assess patients, make clinical decisions, communicate effectively and manage common medical scenarios. Importantly, the clinical examination can be completed either before registration or while working under supervision in Australia.

The second option is a Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA). Instead of sitting the clinical exam, doctors are assessed over time in the clinical workplace by trained supervisors. The WBA evaluates a doctor’s real-world clinical performance, including their communication skills, professionalism and clinical decision-making.

However, places in WBA programs are limited and only a relatively small number of hospitals in Australia offer these programs. Doctors must also secure a position with one of these hospitals before they can undertake the assessment.

Applying for Registration

Once a doctor has passed the AMC MCQ examination and secured a suitable position in Australia, they can apply to the Medical Board of Australia (through Ahpra) for registration.

The type of registration required depends on whether the clinical exam has already been completed.

Doctors who have passed both the AMC MCQ and the clinical exam may apply for provisional registration. Those who have passed only the MCQ exam generally apply for limited registration, which allows them to work under supervision while completing the remaining assessment requirements.

The type of limited registration required depends on the job obtained. Some doctors work in postgraduate training or supervised practice positions, while others may work in areas of need, which are locations experiencing workforce shortages.

Supervised Practice

Regardless of the registration type, doctors on the Standard Pathway must complete a period of supervised clinical practice in Australia.

The Medical Board requires 12 months of supervised practice, which is equivalent to 47 weeks of full-time work. During this time, the doctor works under the supervision of an approved supervisor within an approved position.

After approximately three months of practice, the doctor and supervisor must submit orientation and performance reports (ORIG-30) to the Medical Board. These reports confirm that the doctor is adapting to the Australian healthcare system and practising safely.

Once the supervised practice period has been successfully completed and the doctor has obtained the AMC Certificate (through either the clinical exam or WBA), they can apply for general registration.

Registration Standards and Ongoing Requirements

Doctors practising under limited or provisional registration must comply with several regulatory standards established by the Medical Board.

These include requirements relating to English language proficiency, recency of practice, criminal history checks and professional indemnity insurance.

Doctors must also participate in continuing professional development (CPD). This requires joining an AMC-accredited CPD Home and completing 50 hours of CPD each calendar year.

These requirements continue even after general registration is granted.

Note that supervised practice does NOT count as your CPD if you are an IMG.

Visa and Migration Considerations

International medical graduates must also obtain a visa to live and work in Australia. Visa applications are handled through the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.

Doctors should generally wait until they have been granted Ahpra registration before submitting their visa application. Applying without including a registration number can delay the visa process.

In many cases, doctors will apply for visas sponsored by their employer or through skilled migration programs.

How Long Does the Standard Pathway Take?

The time required to complete the Standard Pathway varies widely between candidates.

In an ideal scenario—where a doctor passes the AMC exams quickly and secures a job without delay—the process from starting the AMC pathway to achieving general registration can take around 18 to 24 months.

However, exam preparation, exam availability, and job availability can extend the timeline. For many doctors, the full process takes two to three years.

Despite the length of the process, thousands of international medical graduates successfully complete the Standard Pathway each year and go on to build long-term careers in the Australian healthcare system.